IPL 2020 Highligths, MI vs CSK Match, Full cricket score: Faf du Plessis fifty guides Chennai to win

MS Dhoni, CSK captain: How you assess the condition is what matters. We took time to see what is the good length to bowl. MI openers batted well. Overall, plenty of positives. But there are areas to improve, If you don’t lose wickets in first few overs, you have an upper hand. Rayudu was brilliant. Overall very happy with the performance, yes, it can get better. 

Experience pays off. I feel it matters that you have the right mix, experience with young ones. Experience is needed to guide the players as well. 

That was one thing (Curran coming ahead) we have not done. At some point of time, we need to give Sam and Jadeja a chance up the order and this was an ideal occasion. 

It is an amazing job being done by every one in IPL, especially the ones behind the scene. At times as cricketers, we criticise a lot of stuff, but we must appreciate this effort.

Ambati Rayudu is the Player of the Match for his 48-ball 71!

Rayudu: (On lockdown training) We were training, and little bit stop-start training in summer. Really eager. (Conditions) It was good. Once the dew came on, it quickened up a bit. We practised in Chennai and Dubai as well, and that really helped,

Sam Curran: Great start from the guys. Really excited to come to Chennai. Did not have much time to think about my game too much. Very surprised to go ahead of him but great win in the end.

MI’s opening match of a season since 2013:

2013 v RCB: Lost 

2014 v KKR: Lost 

2015 v KKR: Lost 

2016 v RPS: Lost 

2017 v RPS: Lost 

2018 v CSK: Lost 

2019 v DC: Lost

2020 v CSK: Lost

Rohit Sharma, MI captain: We didn’t carry on like Du Plessis and Rayudu did, which is probably why we were 15-20 runs short in the end. We should’ve carried on from there. Credit to the CSK bowlers, kept us guessing on all the time. Still early days, but we’ve got to give credit to CSK. We all want to start really well, it’s very very crucial in this tournament. Gives you the momentum to get the balance right. Hopefully we can go back and rectify our mistakes, and come out smarter next game. It was completely different from what we were used to, but I think IPL did a great job to ensure there was some noise around the stadium. We’ve got to understand and adapt to the pitches. The pitch got really wetter towards the end, with the dew coming in later on. It’s all about understanding what one needs to do, something we failed to do today.

After 19.2 overs, CSK 166/5 (du Plessis 58, Dhoni 0)

Boult bowls a total of two deliveries in the final over, conceding a boundary off both as Faf du Plessis finishes off in style for CSK, helping them win the tournament opener by five wickets. Dhoni remains unbeaten on 0 at the other end, and he’ll be real pleased with the way the others in the team, especially Faf and Rayudu stood up after the team got off to the worst possible start.

FOUR! Fa du Plessis hits the winning runs and remains unbeaten on 58 as Chennai Super Kings snap their five-match losing run against Mumbai Indians while becoming the first team to collect points in IPL 2020 with a five-wicket victory. CSK 166/5

FOUR! First ball of the final over, and Boult bowls a real loosener as Faf heaves the full, wide delivery over backward point for a boundary. Scores level now! CSK 162/5

After 19 overs, CSK 158/5 (du Plessis 50, Dhoni 0)

Curran heaves the ball over midwicket for a maximum off the first delivery, but is dismissed next ball while attempting a scoop over fine leg. Du Plessis however, continues to make merry as he collects a boundary and a single off the next two balls to complete his 13th IPL fifty. Dhoni’s adjudged caught-behind first ball he faces, but manages to reverse it after going for the review straight away. Dot off the last ball. CSK need five to win from the last six balls with five wickets in hand.

Fifty up for Faf du Plessis, his 13th in the Indian Premier League, as the South African reaches the milestone off 42 deliveries with a single in the penultimate over. CSK 158/5

FOUR! CSK just one hit away from victory now as du Plessis lofts the ball inside out over extra cover to move to 49! CSK 157/5

OUT! One shot too many from Curran, as he attempts to scoop the ball towards fine leg. Pattinson, running in the opposite direction from inside the circle, takes a superb catch in the end. CSK 153/5

Curran c Pattinson b Bumrah 18(6)

SIX! Pulled away towards the midwicket fence by Curran off Bumrah, and the Englishman’s nailing the finisher’s role today! CSK 153/4

After 18 overs, CSK 147/4 (du Plessis 45, Curran 12)

Krunal traps Jadeja lbw off the first delivery of the over to keep Mumbai in the hunt. Sam Curran, batting at No 6 for CSK today, gets off the mark with a single off the first delivery that he faces, before smashing a six and four off the fourth and fifth deliveries and keeping the strike with a single off the last ball. CSK’s game to lose now, as they need 16 off 12 with six wickets in hand (and Dhoni and Jadhav yet to bat).

FOUR! This time launched over extra cover by Curran, as he collects 10 runs off two deliveries from Krunal! CSK 147/4

SIX! Pressure back on Mumbai now, as Curran heaves this over the cow corner fence for his first six of the innings! CSK 142/4

OUT! Another wicket for Mumbai as Krunal Pandya traps Jadeja LBW for 10 first ball of his final over, the umpire raising his finger instantly! CSK 134/4

Jadeja lbw Krunal 10(5)

After 17 overs, CSK 134/3 (du Plessis 44, Jadeja 10)

Jadeja gets off the mark with a boundary off the first ball of Pattinson’s final over. Another chance missed by Mumbai, this time off the fourth delivery as the ball lands safely between three fielders near deep extra cover after a mishit by du Plessis off a slower ball. Jadeja creams the next ball through the covers for his second boundary, before collecting a single off the last ball to keep the strike. CSK need 29 to win from 18 balls.

FOUR! Second boundary for Jadeja inside one over and the bowling all-rounder is off to a dream start with the bat today! Smashes this one behind point, and there was little any fielder could’ve done about it. CSK 133/3

Ravindra Jadeja’s SR in death-overs in IPL is 135.8

FOUR! Jadeja, walking out to bat ahead of Dhoni, gets off the mark with a boundary off his first delivery of the innings as he works the ball towards fine-leg off Pattinson. CSK 125/3

After 16 overs, CSK 121/3 (du Plessis 41)

Another chance put down, this time by Krunal Pandya at backward point after an attempted reverse sweep by Rayudu off the second delivery. Du Plessis mishits the ball off the penultimate delivery, but the ball lands safely just short of Surya near long on. The breakthrough, however, finally arrives for Mumbai off the last delivery as Rahul takes a fine catch off his own bowling to dismiss Rayudu for 71. CSK need 42 to win off 24 balls.

OUT! Mumbai finally get the breakthrough as Rayudu departs for 71. Skies the ball after taking a couple of steps forward, and Chahar, who is running in the opposite direction, takes a fine catch off his own bowling near mid off. CSK 121/3

Rayudu c and b Chahar 71(48)

After 15 overs, CSK 116/2 (du Plessis 38, Rayudu 69)

Bumrah brought back for his third over in what is a do-or-die phase for Mumbai. Rayudu collects a single off the second delivery to bring up the century stand, with du Plessis hammering the next ball wide of mid off for a boundary. Rayudu narrowly escapes being run-out while coming back for a second off the penultimate delivery. A wide and a double off the last two deliveries, with 11 off the over. CSK need 47 off the last five overs.

FOUR! Crunched through the gap between extra cover and mid off by du Plessis! CSK 110/2

Century partnership up between Rayudu and du Plessis for the third wicket off 76 deliveries, and what a contribution this has been for the Super Kings as the pair have single-handedly made their team front-runners to collect the first points this season. CSK 106/2

Correct!

Rayudu and du Plessis have not only salvaged situation for CSK, but shown there is no devil in the pitch and match can be won by sensible batting. Rayudu particularly impressive. Superb foowork, not a little derring do and some exotic strokeplay #IPL

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 19, 2020

After 14 overs, CSK 105/2 (du Plessis 33, Rayudu 64)

James Pattinson returns to the attack as Mumbai continue their desperate search for a breakthrough. Six off the over, with Chennai going past the 100-run mark in this phase. The umpire signals the second strategic timeout of the innings now. CSK need 58 to win from the last six overs with plenty of wickets in hand and two set batsmen at the crease.

After 13 overs, CSK 99/2 (du Plessis 31, Rayudu 60)

Rayudu continues to dominate the Mumbai attack, smashing the ball over the extra cover fence for his third maximum of the innings as Chahar, who returns to the attack, concedes 11 off this over.

SIX! Rayudu in dream form at the moment, and almost looks unstoppable! Smashes Chahar over the extra cover fence for third big hit of the innings! CSK 99/2

After 12 overs, CSK 88/2 (du Plessis 28, Rayudu 52)

Rohit, desperate to get a breakthrough now, brings Bumrah back into the attack in place of Chahar, although it remains to be seen whether he saves a couple of his overs for the death overs or not. Meanwhile, Rayudu brings up his 19th IPL fifty with a well-timed smack down the ground.

FOUR! Rayudu takes a couple of steps forward to smash Bumrah down the ground for a four as he brings up his 19th IPL fifty in style, taking 33 balls to get to the milestone! CSK 88/2

After 11 overs, CSK 81/2 (du Plessis 26, Rayudu 47)

11 runs off Krunal’s third over, including a maximum over long on by Rayudu off the second delivery as the CSK No 4 moves into the 40s with that shot.

Ambati Rayudu v Krunal Pandya in IPL:

Runs – 13
Balls – 15
Dismissals – 2
Dot% – 53.3

SIX! Smashed over long on by Rayudu off Krunal Pandya! The Hyderabadi is starting to dictate the proceedings now as he moves into the 40s with that shot! CSK 77/2

After 10 overs, CSK 70/2 (du Plessis 23, Rayudu 39)

Another big over for CSK with 12 runs coming off it, including back-to-back boundaries to Rayudu, both the result of sloppy work in the field by Mumbai. The Chennai dugout will be a lot more relaxed now.

FOUR! Another fielding slip-up, this time by Boult at deep extra cover, and both Rohit and the bowler will be furious! The game’s starting to slip out of Mumbai’s grasp now. CSK 68/2

FOUR! Misfield buy Bumrah at short fine leg allows the ball to roll away to the fence for a boundary! Criminal from Mumbai’s perspective, especially with the partnership looking increasingly threatening. CSK 64/2

After 9 overs, CSK 58/2 (du Plessis 21, Rayudu 29)

Chance for Chahar at short midwicket off the 2nd delivery after Rayudu skips down the ground and flicks it in his direction. Wasn’t the easiest of chances, but one that could still prove costly for Mumbai given how the Hyderabad batsman is batting at the moment. Meanwhile, the current partnership goes past the 50-run mark.

Fifty partnership up between Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis for the third wicket, and the pair have batted with resilience to rescue Chennai from the horrid start they got off to earlier. CSK 56/2

Rahul Chahar economy rate in IPL:

01-06 overs: 7.1
07-15 overs: 6.9
16-20 overs: 2.0

Bonus: He has a SR of 20.9 against RHB and 24.3 against LHB.

Krunal Pandya has taken 27 wickets in IPL against RHB at a SR of 28.4 and economy rate of 6.8. 

Can he make a difference today?

After 8 overs, CSK 51/2 (du Plessis 18, Rayudu 26)

Spin from both ends now as Rahu Chahar gets introduced from the other end. Rayudu and du Plessis continue to keep the scoreboard ticking as eight runs are collected in this over, including a boundary to FDP off the penultimate ball that brings up the team fifty. Strategic timeout taken after this over. Partnership’s worth 45 already, and would be starting to worry Rohit Sharma now.

FOUR! Du Plessis launches the ball towards the wide long off fence after taking a couple of steps forward. Krunal gives the ball a chase, but is unable to stop the boundary. Brings up the 50 for CSK. CSK 50/2

After 7 overs, CSK 43/2 (du Plessis 12, Rayudu 24)

Spin introduced after the power play, with Rohit tossing the ball over to Krunal Pandya. Rayudu and du Plessis rotate the strike between themselves with the ones and twos as six runs are collected in this over.

After 6 overs, CSK 37/2 (du Plessis 10, Rayudu 20)

First bowling change of the innings as Jasprit Bumrah’s introduced in the final over of the powerplay, and the Indian pace spearhead gets smashed for 14, including a four and a six by Rayudu!  

With that, the power play comes to an end and what a phase this has turned out to be for Rohit Sharma and Co, dismissing both openers while conceding 37. However, the sixth over is what could shift some of the momentum in CSK’s favour.

SIX! First big hit off the innings, as Rayudu makes the most of the free hit, smashing this over long on off Bumrah’s bowling! CSK 37/2

FOUR! Rayudu slices a back-of-length delivery from Bumrah over backward point off the last ball of the powerplay! What’s more, it’s a front-foot no-ball! CSK 31/2

After 5 overs, CSK 23/2 (du Plessis 7, Rayudu 10)

Four runs off Boult’s third over, as Rayudu crunches the ball through the off side to collect his second boundary of the innings.

FOUR! Another boundary for Rayudu as he smacks the length delivery from Boult through the off side! CSK 23/2

After 4 overs, CSK 19/2 (du Plessis 7, Rayudu 6)

Rayudu crunches the ball through the off side off the first delivery of Pattinson’s second over to collect his first boundary. Hands the strike back to du Plessis with a single off the fourth delivery. The Saffer clips the ball towards cow corner to collect a brace off the last delivery. Seven off the over.

Ambati Rayudu’s SR in IPL:

v Pace : 131.0
v Spin : 118.4

FOUR! Crunched through the off side by Rayudu off Pattinson! CSK 16/2

After 3 overs, CSK 12/2 (du Plessis 5, Rayudu 1)

Boult’s constantly threatening the two new batsman with the amount of movement that he’s getting. Du Plessis and Rayudu both get off the mark with singles, before the former collects his first boundary off the last ball.

FOUR! Du Plessis gets the width, and goes for the push through the off side to add to his boundary count. CSK 12/2

After 2 overs, CSK 6/2 (du Plessis 0)

Pattinson steams in from the other end as du Plessis, who took two super catches in one over earlier today, joins Vijay at the crease. Appeal for lbw off the third delivery, with Vijay the batsman in question. Mumbai however, decide against reviewing it after the umpire shakes his head. Another lbw shout two balls later, and this time the umpire raises his finger to adjudge the Tamil Nadu batsman out for 1. Vijay decides against reviewing it, but replays later show the ball to be missing leg. Horrid start for Chennai.

OUT! Pattinson strikes from the other end as Murali Vijay departs for a seven-ball 1! Just the kind of start Mumbai needed to defend the 163-run target. CSK 6/2

Vijay lbw Pattinson 1(7)

Trent Boult before today in IPL:

v RHB: 29 wickets, 18.9 SR, 8.9 Eco. 
v LHB: 9 wickets, 24.0 SR, 8.4 Eco.

After 1 over, CSK 5/1 (Vijay 1)

Murali Vijay steals a quick single off the very first delivery of the over to get CSK off the mark. Watson gets off the mark with a boundary off the penultimate delivery, but is trapped plumb lbw off the last ball, making for an easy decision for the umpire. Five runs and a wicket off the first over.

OUT! Boult strikes in the very first over of the innings, trapping Watson plumb lbw right after getting hit for a boundary by the burly Aussie! CSK 5/1

Watson lbw Boult 4(5)

First boundary of the CSK innings, as Watson launches a full, wide delivery from Boult over the cover region! CSK 5/0

Shane Watson in IPL:

v Pace: 2310 runs, 140.2 SR, 39.15 Avg.
v Spin: 1265 runs, 138.4 SR, 26.91 Avg.

Murali Vijay and Shane Watson walk out to begin CSK’s chase of the 163-run target. Trent Boult, added to Mumbai’s pace arsenal this season, to begin proceedings with the ball in hand. And we’re underway with the second act of the match!

After 20 overs, MI 162/9 (Bumrah 5, Chahar 2) 

Mumbai Indians finish with 162/9 on the board. They brought things amazingly well in the last four overs, drying the flow of runs and picking up wickets as well. Analysts at MI must have noted down how they have batted in the last four overs. CSK need 162 to win.

OUT! Clean bowled! Top clas delivery from Chahar and Boult has been clean bowled! Gets his second wicket. Nine wicket down are Mumbai Indians. Boult b Chahar 0(1)

After 19 overs, MI 156/8 (Boult 0, Chahar 1) 

Top over this from Ngidi, a wicket and just 5 off the over. Top stuff this from CSK. Ngidi came back verys strongly after a bad start.

OUT! Faf du Plessis is everywhere today. He takes a safe catch at long on. Pattinson tries to go big but has been caught. Ngidi gets another. Pattinson c du Plessis b Ngidi 11(8)

FOUR! Sloppy! That was a bad fielding display from CSK and Chahar. A simple stop and throw really but Chahar made a mess of it and it went for four runs.

OUT! Pollard is gone, Ngidi with the wicket. Pollard tries to go big, attempts a pull but the ball takes the edge and goes to Dhoni who takes a safe catch.  Pollard c Dhoni b Ngidi 18(14)

After 18 overs, MI 151/6 (Pattinson 7, Pollard 18) 

Curran finishes his spell. But not an ideal end to his spell. 11 off the over as Pollard and Pattinson look to finish on a high.

FOUR! One more boundary, full toss from Curran on legs of Pollard who flicked it for easy four.

FOUR! Pattinson gets his first boundary. Fuller from Curran and Pattinson crunches it for four runs to straight boundary.

After 17 overs, MI 140/6 (Pattinson 2, Pollard 13) 

Ngidi comes back on and gets a wicket, removes Krunal Pandya. It was not the best of deliveries from Ngidi as it was bowled on the leg stump line. Top over for CSK. Just 4 off the 17th over.

OUT! Krunal is gone, Ngidi takes the first wicket. Ngidi bowls at his hip, Krunal tried to clip it, but ends up edging it to Dhoni behind the stumps. Krunal Pandya c Dhoni b Ngidi 3(3)

After 16 overs, MI 136/5 Krunal 3, Pollard 11) 

Another strategic time out. 10 off the over. Pollard has decided to go big. Last four overs will be interesting to see.

SIX! That is a big one. Chawla flights the ball. And Pollard smashes it over the bowler for a huge one.

Hardik Pandya v Piyush Chawla in IPL 2019:

Runs – 35
Balls – 12
Dots – 3
4s – 2
6s – 4

And has helped CSK stage a comeback in the middle overs

The fielders must give you two wickets. And du Plessis, one of the best in the world, has helped Jadeja come back with two. Brilliant

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 19, 2020

After 15 overs, MI 126/5 Krunal 2, Pollard 2) 

Jadeja was under so much pressure after getting hit for runs but he has made a strong comeback courtesy Faf who has been brilliant in the field with two stunning catches. Pollard and Krunal come in to bat.

OUT! Faf, you beauty, another stunner from hin at long off. It was flat-batted from Hardik, he times his jump againt brilliantly, took the catch and balanced himself very well as he landed on his feet. Hardik is gone. Hardik Pandya c du Plessis b Jadeja 14(10)

OUT! Jadeja was under pressure but he has a wicket now. Tiwary tries to go over long on, but Faf stays still on the line and waited to pick the flight of the ball, jumped to take it just in time, tossed the ball up, goes out, comes back in and completes the catch. Top stuff. Saurabh Tiwary c du Plessis b Jadeja 42(31)

After 14 overs, MI 121/3 (Hardik 13, Tiwary 42) 

Chawla completes his third and he has been very good for CSK so far, bowling to the field and very smartly. Huge shout against Tiwary but umpire Gaffaney says no. CSK reviewed but to no avail as ball was missing the stumps. Good over for CSK. Just 5 off it.

After 13 overs, MI 116/3 (Hardik 12, Tiwary 38) 

Ngidi is back into the attack. Not a good day in the office for the Protea as he leaks 11 off the over, including two boundaries. Tiwary has been a surprise pick but he is making it count today.

FOUR! The heat is on! Tiwary again steps out against Ngidi and smacks the ball past the mid off fieldier for a boundary.

FOUR! Short ball from Ngidi, Tiwary half way down the pitch, but manages to pull it away for four runs.

And Hardik’s off to a blazing start in IPL 2020!

Last IPL season, Hardik Pandya scored at 11.5rpo - the only man to score quicker, having faced at least 50 balls, was Andre Russell. While the West Indian was in a league of his own scoring at 12.3rpo, Hardik has serious, serious hitting pedigree. #IPL2020 #MIvCSK

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 19, 2020

No. of sixes hit by Hardik Pandya against each spinner type in IPL:

Leg-break : 11
Off-break : 6
Chinaman : 0
Orthodox : 9*

After 12 overs, MI 105/3 (Hardik 12, Tiwary 27) 

Hardik has joined Tiwary in the middle. He has not played cricket for a long time and straight away back to back sixes to get things running. That is some comeback. 13 off the over. 100 up for MI.

SIX! One more, back to back. He has hit it outside the park it looks like. On the back foot and he hammers it over deep mid wicket for a maximum.

SIX! Big one from Pandya, who has just come in to hat, third ball he faces, with the wind, slow sweep against Jadeja for flat six.

After 11 overs, MI 92/3 (Hardik 0, Tiwary 26) 

Chahar back on. And he gets a wicket as well. He was bowling shortish length to Tiwary and asking him to pull it seems to create chances for a catch. And then was succeeded later on in the over to remove Surya. This is a good comeback spell from Chahar who went for 21 in his first two overs.

Worst economy rate for Jadeja against teams in IPL:

8.51 v KXIP
8.41 v MI
8.14 v RPSG

OUT! Surya has to go. CSK have their third and the little stand between Surya and Tiwary has been broke. Chahar with the wicket and Sam completed a good catch in the deep. Suryakumar Yadav c Sam Curran b Chahar 17(16)

After 10 overs, MI 86/2 (Suryakumar 16, Tiwary 22) 

Strategic time over. Chawla back on. He starts off with a wide. He recovers well to bowl four dots in the over. Just 3 off the over. Top stuff from Chawla this.

After 9 overs, MI 83/2 (Suryakumar 15, Tiwary 21) 

Tiwary joins the fun. He hits the first six of the tournament and then a four. MI placed pretty well in this innings. Strategic time out taken. 15 off the Jadeja over.

FOUR! Jadeja gets four more, this time Tiwary cuts it off Jadeja and it goes for four runs to third man.

SIX! The first one of the tournament. Tiwary steps out and takes on Jadeja, and just clears the boundary at long on as the fielder had lined up to catch it.

After 8 overs, MI 68/2 (Suryakumar 13, Tiwary 8) 

Curran completes his third over. He has kept the batsmen silent so far. Surya hit a boundary in the over. He is looking good and needs to take the innings forward for Mumbai. 8 off the over.

FOUR! Another good shot from Surya, gave himself some room by clearing the front leg and cut it beautifully in the gap for four runs.

After 7 overs, MI 60/2 (Suryakumar 7, Tiwary 6) 

Just one over spell for Chawla as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. He is welcomed by a top shot from Surya as he hits him to deep extra cover for four runs. Jadeja completes a quick over. 9 off it.

FOUR! Suryakumar hits inside out to Jadeja for four runs to deep extra cover. Top shot.

After 6 overs, MI 51/2 (Suryakumar 1, Tiwary  3) 

Curran removes QDK. FIFTY up for Mumbai Indians. A great start has been turned into a good one by those two wickets. Saurabh Tiway has walked in after fall of QDK, left-hander replacing a left-hander.

OUT! Another wicket for Daddy’s Army as QDK goes, short ball from Sam, and bit slower as well, he pulled it but it went straight to Watson at mid-wicket. Two in two for CSK. Both MI openers back in the hut. de Kock c Watson b Sam Curran 33(20)

After 5 overs, MI 48/1 (Suryakumar 1, de Kock 33) 

Dhoni turns to spin. Chawla intoduced now. And the move has worked. Rohit goes back for just 12 runs. That’s vintage Dhoni for you. When he saw MI running away with the good start, he slowed down the game with introduction of the spinner. Just 3 off the over a big wicket. Suryakumar comes in to bat.

Rohit Sharma v leg-spinners in IPL:

Dismissals – 21
Average – 29.8
SR – 115.9
Dot% – 31.7

OUT! First wicket for CSK as Chawla strikes. He gets rid of Hitman Rohit Sharma. Kept it tight on first three balls and then Rohit lost his patience, stepped out and mistimed it to give a catch to mid off. He is gone for 12. Rohit c Sam Curran b Chawla 12(10)

After 4 overs, MI 45/0 (Rohit 12, de Kock 31) 

Lungi Ngidi, right-arm fast, brought into the attack. A South Africa battle at the moment between Ngidi and QDK as the left-handed opener smashed his fellow Protea over mid off for four runs. Two balls later, he went over mid on for another four. Ngidi loses direction the next ball. And then gets hit for third boundary. QDK bossed him in this over. 18 off the over.

FOUR! Clever from QDK as he clips it over fine leg for third boundary of the over.

FOUR! Length ball from Ngidi and QDK clears his front leg and hits it over mid on for four more. He is looking ominous.

FOUR! What a shot from QDK. Full from Ngidi, who has come into the attack and he hits it with a straight bat for four runs

After 3 overs, MI 27/0 (Rohit 11, de Kock 16) 

Chahar continues. Better line from the pacer in the second over. Good effort from Faf as well in the field to stop a certain boundary. But QDK did score a boundary on the penultimate ball. Good over from Chahar. 8 off it.

Rohit Sharma v Deepak Chahar in IPL:

Runs : 34
Balls : 27
Dismissals : 2
SR : 125.93

FOUR! QDK gives himself some room and pulls it away this slightly short delivery from Chahar for four four runs to deep mid-wicket.

MI’s opening match of a season since 2013:

2013 v RCB: Lost by two runs
2014 v KKR: Lost by 41 runs
2015 v KKR: Lost by seven wickets
2016 v RPS: Lost by nine wickets
2017 v RPS: Lost by seven wickets
2018 v CSK: Lost by one wicket
2019 v DC: Lost by 37 runs

After 2 overs, MI 12/0 (Rohit 10, de Kock 9) 

Sam Curran bowls from the other end. QDK takes three balls to score a single and give strike to Rohit. Rohit hits one more boundary to add four to his and MI’s total. He is looking good. Just 7 off the second over.

FOUR! Curran bowls a wide half-volley, Rohit reaches out for his outside the off stump and hits it through the point for four runs.

Quinton de Kock’s SR in 01-05 overs in IPL:

Overall : 127.9
2019 : 138.7

After 1 over, MI 12/0 (Rohit 5, de Kock 7) 

Rohit starts off with a boundary off Chahar. A little short and he did not want to miss out on that. Boundary hit on the first ball of the tournament his year. Two balls later, Chahar went haywire again, bowling at the pads of QDK, who hit it through mid-wicket for second boundary in the over. 12 off the first over. This is a good start from MI.

FOUR! QDK this time, Chahar has not got his line right, trying to get the ball curve in, but he ended up bowling on the legs, QDK flicked it for four through mid-wicket.

FOUR! What a start to IPL 2020, A loose delivery from Chahar, a little short, swung away, Rohit waited and hit it through the covers for a boundary. The first ball of the tournament is hit for a boundary. What a start.

Deepak Chahar in IPL:

01-05 overs: 24 wickets, 7.45 eco.
06-10 overs: 2 wickets, 8.44 eco.
11-15 overs: 0 wickets, 6.67 eco.
16-20 overs: 7 wickets, 8.21 eco.

A little delay as Rohit is not happy with something. Some movement going on behind the bowler near the sight screen.

Rohit Sharma while opening the innings in IPL:

Innings – 34
Runs – 1018
Average – 35.10
SR – 130.51

The players are out on the field. Rohit and QDK to open innings. CSK players spread out in the field, take their positions. Rohit will play the first ball. Deepak Chahar will bowl the first over. Here we go!

“Let the games begin. May there be a showcase of great talent at work. I am confident these games will bring us closer together. My best wishes to the talent and courageous cricketers. Please enjoy the game,"  chairman of Emirates Cricket Board welcomes all eight teams to UAE>

MI v CSK in IPL:

Matches played – 28

MI won – 17
CSK won – 11

MI defeated CSK in each of the four games last year.

Average no. of matches played by squads’ spinners:

CSK : 156.6
MI : 42.6

MI XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

CSK XI: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi

Dhoni: Could do not a lot of physical running but hit the gym to remain fit. We have made the most of practice. Very good preparation time. I have always said it is a sport, we don’t think about revenge. We think of mistakes we have committed. Try to make sure we don’t repeat mistakes. Four overseas – Faf, Watson, Ngidi and Sam Curran. 

Rohit: We would have bowled first as well. Slightly better batting under the lights. Of course, before coming here, we had little camp in Mumbai. We had quality practice in Abu Dhabi. Key will be to understand conditions. We had good preparation and now we are ready to go. QDK, Pollard, Pattinson and Boult are four overseas.

TOSS News: CSK win first toss of IPL 2020 and they will bowl first.

Michael Slater and Kevin Pietersen with the pitch report:

Slater: Of course it’s going to be pretty warm in this part of the world. Par score here is 167.

KP: It’s a wicket that I can expect at the start of a tournament. Even covering of grass here. Carpet ground, carpet here on the wicket. I expect it to be high-scoring game today. There’s a big breeze blowing towards the 77-metre boundary. There’s going to be quite a few runs today.

Take a look at MI’s squad:
 

Rohit Sharma, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Mohsin Khan, Prince Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ishan Kishan, Quinton de Kock, Aditya Tare

Take a look at CSK’s squad:

MS Dhoni (captain), Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, N Jagadeesan, Mitchell Santner, KM Asif, Shardul Thakur, R Sai Kishore, Faf du Plessis, Monu Kumar, Dwayne Bravo, Josh Hazlewood, Sam Curran, Karn Sharma

Suresh Raina’s absence may hurt Chennai, but spinners’ form and Dhoni’s leadership hold key. 

Click here to read Chennai Super Kings preview.

Every year presents an opportunity for the youngsters to make a mark and MI have been known to unearth these talents. They might throw in a surprise or two this season and it’s an opportunity for the likes of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya to get into the line of selectors’ radar once again.

Click here to read Mumbai Indians preview .

How has MS Dhoni’s fared against spinners in the league over the years? What are Rohit Sharma’s numbers as far as the opener’s slot is concerned? All that and much more in the IPL 2020 statistical preview by Umang Pabari. Click here to read the full piece .

Mumbai Indians have won the championship four times. Want to know more about the defending champions? Get to know everything about Mumbai Indians here in our Factbox .

The four-time champions are all set to begin their title defence…

🚎: We're off to the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium for our #Dream11IPL season opener 🏟️#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #Dream11IPL #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/ivIm36PK3o

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 19, 2020

How many titles has CSK won? Who is there top run-getter? Top wicket-taker? Get all knowledge about CSK here  in our IPL team factbox.

The Super Kings are on their way!

Lions on the prowl... 😍💛#WhistleFromHome #WhistlePodu #Yellove #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/95QtfNaBje

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 19, 2020

Over a year since the two arch-rivals met at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad for the IPL 2019 final, which Rohit Sharma’s side won by one run to clinch their fourth title, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings meet again, this time to kickstart the delayed 2020 edition of the T20 carnival.

Everything you need to know about the highly-anticipated clash between the old foes, you can find here in the MI vs CSK match preview .

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the opening game of IPL 2020 between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday! After months of uncertainty over its fate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament finally gets underway in a couple of hours’ time today!