NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kicked off their IPL 2024 campaign on a high note under the leadership of new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, securing a convincing six-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Gaikwad's captaincy drew praise from spectators and analysts alike for steering the team to a successful start in the tournament. However, during the match, attention was diverted towards former captain MS Dhoni, who was seen actively setting the field, with the camera frequently focusing on him.
In a light-hearted moment during the commentary, former cricketer Virender Sehwag, providing Haryanvi commentary for Jio Cinema, humorously remarked, "Bhai Ruturaj ka bhi chehra dikha do ek do baar, vo bhi captain hai. Sirf Dhoni ka hi chehra dikha raha hai (Brother, please show Rituraj's face as well (in camera), he is the captain. The cameraman is showing only Dhoni's face)."
Despite the focus on Dhoni, it was Gaikwad's leadership that guided CSK to victory, with pacer Mustafizur Rahman claiming the first four-wicket haul of IPL 2024. Mustafizur's stellar performance played a crucial role as CSK chased down the target set by RCB with eight balls to spare at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
1/10:Chennai Super Kings down Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 opener
IANS
2/10:Mustafizur's brilliance
Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 4-29 to set up a six-wicket win for defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.PTI
3/10:Shivam Dube & Ravindra Jadeja's stand
Hosts CSK restricted Bengaluru to 173/6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Shivam Dube, who hit 34, and Ravindra Jadeja, who made 25, put on an unbeaten stand of 66 to steer the team home.PTI
4/10:IPL opening ceremony
The 17th edition of the lucrative league began with a glitzy ceremony, with performances by Bollywood stars including India's Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.AFP
5/10:Dhoni's captaincy handover
<p>Old warhorse MS Dhoni had shocked his fans on the eve of the opener when he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who said he got to know of the decision last week.</p>PTI
6/10:Man of the Match: Mustafizur
Mustafizur had Du Plessis caught out for 35 and RCB slipped from 41-0 to 42-3 in the space of seven balls when Glenn Maxwell was out for a first-ball duck off Deepak Chahar. Mustafizur was named man of the match.AP
7/10:Virat Kohli's return
Virat Kohli returned to competitive cricket after two months following a paternity break. He made 21 off 20 balls including a six off spinner Maheesh Theekshana before his departure in another inspired spell by Mustafizur.AP
8/10:Chennai's batting display
CSK's batsmen including IPL debutant Ravindra, who hit a 15-ball 37, got starts but lost regular wickets. Dube, who came in as impact substitute in place of Mustafizur, and Jadeja ensured the team sailed through.ANI
9/10:Green's bowling impact
Green struck with two key wickets including Rahane (27) and Daryl Mitchell (22) with his fast-medium bowling but Jadeja kept the chase going.PTI
10/10:Rawat & Karthik's partnership
For RCB, Anuj Rawat, a wicketkeeper-batsman who hit 48, and Dinesh Karthik, 38 not out, steadied the ship and then took the attack to the opposition in their partnership of 95 in 50 balls.PTIThis victory marked CSK's eighth successive win over RCB at the Chepauk Stadium, further solidifying their dominance over their rivals at this venue. RCB's last victory against CSK at the Chepauk Stadium dates back over a decade.
With a promising start to their campaign under Gaikwad's captaincy and contributions from key players like Mustafizur Rahman, CSK aim to continue their winning momentum throughout the IPL 2024 season.
(With inputs from IANS)
