In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 opening clash, defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Faf du Plessis' Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets with eight balls to spare on Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy debut. RCB's losing streak in Chepauk continued as Mustafizur Rahman starred with four wickets on his CSK debut and the target of 175 was easily chased down.
Mustafizur pushes RCB on back foot
Earlier, Du Plessis won the toss and opted to bat first. The skipper hit Deepak Chahar for four fours in the third over. Gaikwad introduced Mustafizur Rahman in the fifth over. After getting smashed for a boundary, Rahman dismissed Du Plessis as debutant Rachin Ravindra took a brilliant catch running in. He scored 35 runs from 23 balls including eight fours. In the same over, out-of-form Rajat Patidar edged one to MS Dhoni and departed for a three-ball duck. Chahar came back into the attack and dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck as he edged one to Dhoni. After powerplay overs, RCB were 42/3 and Virat Kohli had faced just six deliveries.
After two boundary-less overs, Cameron Green hit his first boundary off Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli looked to accelerate and smashed Maheesh Theekshana for a six. Rahman was brought back into the attack and Kohli tried to pull it away but Ajinkya Rahane took the catch while sliding and lobbed it to Rachin as he was about to touch the boundary rope. He departed after scoring 21 runs from 20 balls. In the same over, Green got bowled in an attempt to make room for himself. He scored 18 runs from 22 balls on RCB debut.
Rawat, Karthik come to RCB’s rescue
Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik soaked up the pressure. Rawat hit Chahar for two fours in the 15th over. Karthik hit the first six of his innings off Theekshana. Tushar Deshpande bowled the 18th over and conceded 25 runs including one six each from Rawat and Karthik. In the penultimate over, Rahman wasn't spared either. First, Rawat smashed the third ball for a six and then Karthik a four. In the final over, Deshpande conceded just one boundary. On the last ball, Rawat was run out in an attempt to sneak a single via byes. He scored 48 runs from 25 balls including four fours and three sixes. Karthik contributed with an unbeaten 26-ball 38 to the 95-run partnership that helped RCB post 173/6.
Rachin, Rahane get CSK off to a flyer
Gaikwad started the run chase with two fours off Mohammed Siraj in the first over. He was targetted by Rachin who hit him for a four and a six. Yash Dayal on his RCB debut dismissed Gaikwad as he edged one to slip fielder Green. He contributed with a run-a-ball 15. Rahane joined Rachin and smashed Dayal for a maximum. CSK were 62/1 after six overs. Karn Sharma in his first over ended Rachin's cameo after conceding a six. The young New Zealand batter got caught by Patidar. He smashed three sixes and as many fours in his 15-ball 37. Mayank Dagar was exceptional in his first over conceding just two runs. Daryl Mitchell targetted Sharma and hit him for two consecutive sixes. Dagar bowled another economical over as CSK were 92/2 at the halfway stage.
Dube, Jadeja finish it off
Rahane welcomed Green with a six but got out the next ball. He scored 27 runs from 19 balls including two sixes. In his next over, Green got the better of Mitchell with the short ball. He scored 22 runs from 18 balls. Jadeja did not let Maxwell settle and hit him for a maximum. Green in his third over was slightly expensive conceding 12 runs. Impact player Shivam Dube was sluggish at the start and then picked up the pace. Joseph conceding boundary via byes did not help RCB's cause. In the penultimate over, CSK won by six wickets and eight balls to spare. Dube and Jadeja shared an unbeaten 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Jadeja remained unbeaten for 25 off 17 balls.
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