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CSK beat RCB by 7 wickets | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: Mar 23, 2019 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
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Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20 Commentary
Imran Tahir is caught on the sidelines for a little chat. He says that he is very happy about his performance but feels that Harbhajan and Jadeja set the tone and made it easier for him. He mentions that he did not get too much rest but does not mind because he is playing in one of the best leagues and is happy to play when he is asked. States that it is fun for him to play in front of this crowd and for his team. Signs off by saying that he believes that the batsmen will knock off these runs easily and win the game.
This contest is more or less over, unless the Bangalore bowlers can come up with something that's totally out of this world. Would need something herculean, and even that might not be enough, as they only have a mere 70 runs to defend. Let's see how it goes. The second half will begin shortly.
The Chennai spin attack worked its magic on this slow and turning surface. Harbhajan Singh did the early damage as he got Kohli, Moeen Ali and AB de Villiers, eating into the middle order. Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja picked up after him and bundled out the rest. The three spinners shared 8 wickets between them, which is a commendable performance.
If there ever was an impact statement made, the defending champions have done that just now. Wrapped up Bangalore for their joint-second lowest total in the Indian T20 League and the lowest against them in this competition. From the beginning itself, Chennai were always on top. Got rid of Virat Kohli early in the Powerplay and there was no looking back for them from that point on. Pathiv Patel top scored with 29, while the rest didn't even get into double figures.
Dwayne Bravo to Parthiv Patel. OUT! That's the end of this innings. Bravo bowls a slower delivery which is short in length. Parthiv looks to pull it over square leg but finds Kedar Jadhav at short square leg to perfection. He makes no mistake and takes the catch. Dwayne gets into the wickets column as well.
Dwayne Bravo is the new bowler into the attack.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammed Siraj. Full on off, turning away for Siraj who was attempting a defense gets beaten. Dhoni whips the bails in a flash.
Mohammed Siraj is the last person in to bat.
Ravindra Jadeja to Umesh Yadav. OUT! Bowled! The 9th wicket is down and the end looks to be very near for Bangalore. Flatter delivery pitching on middle, it spins away after pitching. Yadav looks to defend but gets beaten and the ball goes on to crash the middle and off stump. Second wicket for Jadeja in this match.
Ravindra Jadeja to Umesh Yadav. A flat delivery on leg, Umesh plays it back to the bowler.
Ravindra Jadeja to Umesh Yadav. Flatter outside off, Umesh nudges it to short third man.
Ravindra Jadeja to Umesh Yadav. Flighted outside off, Yadav looks to defend it but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Tossed up outside off, Parthiv looks to sweep it but misses. The ball goes to short third man and they steal a leg bye.
Imran Tahir to Parthiv Patel. A flatter delivery around leg, Parthiv works it towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
Imran Tahir to Parthiv Patel. A flighted delivery on leg, Parthiv just puts it away.
Imran Tahir to Umesh Yadav. A flighted delivery on off, Umesh plants his front foot on the pitch of the delivery and works it towards his leg side. Single added
Imran Tahir to Umesh Yadav. Flighted outside off, Umesh looks to go over covers but misses. The ball goes behind to Dhoni, who takes the bails off in flash. Luckily though Umesh had his leg behind the crease.
Imran Tahir to Umesh Yadav. Beautiful delivery this. Tossed up on off, the ball spins away after pitching. Umesh looks to defend but misses.
Imran Tahir to Parthiv Patel. Full on the pads, Parthiv tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ravindra Jadeja to Umesh Yadav. A good length delivery outside off, Yadav looking to defend it well but fails to the bat on ball.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Jadeja fires this one on PP's leg stump, Partiv flick it towards mid-wicket region and grabs a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. A back of length delievry outside off, PP looking for a late cut fails to connect.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. On middle and leg, Parthiv flicks it wide of mid-wicket and gets a couple.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Safe! Yes height is the issue here. Off spinner pitching on off, Parthiv looks to play it across the line but misses. The ball hits him on his front pad and Jadeja goes up in appeal. Dhoni surprises the umpire and refers it. Replays roll in and show that it was going over the stumps. Chennai lose their review.
Review time! This one's against Parthiv. Looked pretty adjacent to the naked eye and Dhoni went up almost immediately. Height could be a factor... will it? Let's see what the replays have to say.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. FOUR! Much needed boundary this for Bangalore. Shorter off spinner outside off. Parthiv waits for it and guides it fine of third man for a boundary. Parthiv needs to stay longer if Bangalore need to get to a competitive total here.
Imran Tahir to Umesh Yadav. On the pads this time, Umesh tucks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Umesh Yadav. Flighted leg spinner around off, Umesh looks to defend it but gets beaten.
Umesh Yadav is the new man in.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. OUT! Caught! Another one bites the dust. And Tahir takes off.... A flighted delivery outside off, Chahal drags it from outside off by playing a sweep. The ball goes flat in the air, and it's an easy catch for Harbhajan Singh standing at deep mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. In the air...but short. Flights it outside off, Chahal comes down the track and looks to heave it over long off. He gets a thick edge on it but it falls short of the diving cover fielder.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. Short this time, Chahal blocks it off his back foot.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. Loopy delivery outside off, Chahal drives it straight to cover.
Strategic break. Second of the innings and the situation is more or less the same as it was around the time of the first one. Seems only a matter of time now before Bangalore are bundled up. They need something special from Parthiv Patel. He's their last hope.
Ravindra Jadeja to Yuzvendra Chahal. Good shot with not a lot of power. Tossed up on off, Chahal gets on his knee and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. It is not hit with power and does not even reach the fence. The batsmen take three runs as the fielder comes and collects it from long on.
Ravindra Jadeja to Yuzvendra Chahal. Shorter on the stumps, Chahal shows his back foot defense and defends it.
Ravindra Jadeja to Yuzvendra Chahal. Tossed up outside off, Chahal looks to sweep it but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Yuzvendra Chahal. Good, solid defense from Chahal. Tossed up on off, Chahal blocks it off his front foot.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Flighted on middle, Patel gets on his knee and sweeps it away for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. That has turned from Chennai to Bangalore. Short off spinner pitching on off. It goes away on the leg side and flicks Parthiv's thigh on his sway to the keeper.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. A front foot defense to end the over by Chahal. Bangalore need to start deciding how to work on their innings from here.
Imran Tahir to Parthiv Patel. Flighted outside off, pushed all along the ground for a single to long off.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. Fuller one on middle, swept away for a single on the full to deep square leg.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. Excellent front foot defense from Chahal here! Tossed up on off, Chahal gets on his front foot and blocks it like a proper Test batsman.
Imran Tahir to Yuzvendra Chahal. Shorter leg spinner outside off, Chahal cuts it to the fielder at point.
Yuzvendra Chahal walks out to bat now.
Imran Tahir to Navdeep Saini. OUT! It is caught and not LBW! There was an inside edge suggests the Snickometer. Saini has to go. 7 down, 52 on the board! A googly landing outside off and turning inward. Saini comes ahead to defend but the ball spins too much and beats him as he looks to defend. Raps him on the pads and an appeal for LBW goes upstairs at the very last moment. Lo and behold, there is an inside edge on it. Hence, it is a catch that has been taken by Watson at slip. Chennai won't mind as long as the procession is continuing.
Review time... A review for LBW against Saini. A googly from Tahir catches Navdeep on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Watson at slip has also caught the ball and is asking for the catch as well. Let's see what the replays have to say.
Ravindra Jadeja to Navdeep Saini. Pushed away off the back foot for a single by Navdeep. He will keep strike for the next over.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Flatter and quicker on middle, flicked away to deep mid-wicket by Parthiv for a single. He is trying his best, this guy.
Ravindra Jadeja to Navdeep Saini. Flatter one outside off, pushed down the ground to long off for a single by Saini.
Navdeep Saini walks in next.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! The edge is found this time! Number 6 down with just 50 on the board. A flighted ball outside off and Colin de Grandhomme comes ahead to defend. The ball turns away and just takes a faint edge. Dhoni is not going to drop those. Bangalore crumbling hard and fast here. Looks like it might be difficult for them to get to three figures.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin de Grandhomme. Sharp turn! Flatter one on the off stump line, Colin looks to defend standing in the crease but the ball spins a lot and beats him on the outside. He looks flummoxed.
Ravindra Jadeja to Parthiv Patel. Slower one outside off to start off, Parthiv comes inside the line and works it away for a run to deep square leg.
Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. Quicker leg spinner pitching on middle and leg, CdG looks to defend but it gets an inside edge of his bat and onto his pad. 4 runs and a wicket off Tahir's first.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! De Grandhomme won't wait for long especially if it is in his zone. It is on his pads and Colin effortlessly flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. Flighted on off, CdG pushes it to the fielder at cover.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle and leg, de Grandhomme flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 7.
Imran Tahir to Shivam Dubey. OUT! It just takes Imran Tahir two balls to get his man. Shorter leg spinner from Tahir. It spins away slightly after pitching. Dubey looks to cut it but gets a thick outside edge. It goes to Shane Watson at first slip who takes a regulation catch. The crisis deepens for Bangalore.
Imran Tahir to Shivam Dubey. Starts with a straighter one on off, Dubey pushes it to the fielder at cover.
Strategic break. The hosts well and truly on top. They've dismissed two of Bangalore's best batsmen, in Kohli and de Villiers, and have four wickets in total, out of which Harbhajan has three. A big job lies ahead of the Bangalore middle order. They bought players in this auction to shore up that area, time for them to show what they can do. Imran Tahir to bowl after the break.
Suresh Raina to Shivam Dubey. Slower through the air and on middle, Dubey watchfully plays it well through mid-wicket for a single. Bangalore are 45 at the end of the ninth over. It is time for the first strategic break of the innings.
Suresh Raina to Parthiv Patel. Flatter one outside off, pushed away to deep cover for a single by PP.
Suresh Raina to Parthiv Patel. Full toss on middle, Parthiv works it away through the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
Suresh Raina to Shivam Dubey. Flatter one on middle, it is punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Suresh Raina to Shivam Dubey. Almost another one down! A slower one outside off and some turn on it. Shivam looks to cut but fails to put bat on ball. It was so close to being an edge.
Suresh Raina to Parthiv Patel. Flatter one on middle, pulled away by Parthiv for a single to deep mid-wicket.
Shivam Dube will walk in to bat next. Meanwhile, Suresh Raina is on to bowl.
Harbhajan Singh to Shimron Hetmyer. OUT! A nightmare debut for Shimron Hetmyer in the Indian T20 League. Worst possible way for him to get out. He just taps this down in front of covers and sets off, when there is no run to be had. His partner Parthiv adds to the problem as he sends Hetmyer back after he's taken a few steps forward and that becomes his undoing. Raina gets to the ball in a jiffy and just throws it to Dhoni, who has all the time in the world to take the bails off. The man from the Caribbean has to make the long walk back. End of Harbhajan's spell as well, he finishes with superb figures of 4-0-20-3.
Harbhajan Singh to Shimron Hetmyer. Worked away on the leg side for no run.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Could have been a run out! Sharp work from MS Dhoni. Patel works it square on the leg side off his pads and takes off. Hetmyer is charging to the striker's end and Dhoni is running to the ball. He collects, turns and fires it at his end, but just misses.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
Shimron Hetmyer will bat next.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. OUT! Doesn't survive this time! Imran Tahir will be relieved more than anyone. This is a terrific catch from Ravindra Jadeja. Short ball spinning in on the stumps, de Villiers rocks on the back foot and pulls it. Doesn't get the desired elevation on it and the ball is travelling towards deep mid-wicket. Jadeja runs in to his right and takes an excellent diving catch. Fantastic captaincy from MS Dhoni to continue with Harbhajan.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. DROPPED! Imran Tahir has dropped his country mate. A flatter ball on middle and leg, de Villiers looks to get inside the line and sweep it over fine leg. The ball though carries to Imran Tahir there but he fumbles and drops the ball. Could be a huge moment in the game. 2 runs are taken off this ball though. How much more damage can AB inflict on Chennai?
Deepak Chahar to AB de Villiers. On a length outside off, pushed to third man for a single.
Deepak Chahar to AB de Villiers. Good shot! No runs though! This must be frustrating for the batsman. A length ball outside off, AB de Villiers dances down the track and hits it hard back down the ground. He finds mid off though. 3 dot ball in a row.
Deepak Chahar to AB de Villiers. On a length outside off, defended on the front foot by the South African legend.
Deepak Chahar to AB de Villiers. Good ball! On a length and bounces a bit more than normal. AB de Villiers looks to work it away through square leg for a single but the ball cuts him in half and goes to Dhoni. The fielding side makes a stifled appeal but the umpire does not budge.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Length ball on the hips of the left-hander, Parthiv swivels and looks to pull it away for a boundary but does not get a fair connection. The ball goes in the air towards Imran Tahir at deep backward square leg who decides to stay back and stop the ball instead of going for the catch. A single is taken.
Deepak Chahar to AB de Villiers. On a length outside off, de Villiers dabs it down to third man for a single and gets to the other end.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Excellent ball! Short in length, it comes in to the southpaw. Parthiv gets on his back foot and looks to cut it but is surprised. It takes an inside edge onto his pad. Singh goes up in appeal but the umpire turns it down straight away. Excellent over this from Harbhajan. 5 runs and a wicket.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. Shorter on middle, de Villiers guides it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. Harbhajan is getting good assistance off the pitch here. Flighted top spinner on off, AB looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge which runs down to the third man region. The fielder from short third man runs and gathers it. Two runs taken.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. Flatter one on middle, pushed away on the front foot in the gap through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
AB de Villiers is the new man in.
Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali. OUT! Harbhajan strikes once more! Another one with some loop on the off stump line and spinning away. Moeen goes on the back foot and looks to drive back down the ground. The ball stops in the pitch and Mo is early through the shot. It goes in the air towards the bowler who steps back and takes the easy lobbed ball. The stadium is rocking right now.
Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali. On the off stump and turning away, Moeen looks to defend the ball as he reads the turn and moves along with it.
Deepak Chahar to Moeen Ali. Slower ball on a length outside off, Moeen dabs it down to third man for a run. Six singles off the over.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Upper cut! A short length ball outside off, Parthiv looks to hit it over the slips for a boundary but the ball stops a bit in the pitch and arrives to the batsman. The ball runs for a single as third man comes around and stops it easily. The pitch is certainly on the slower side.
Deepak Chahar to Moeen Ali. Another pull from Mo and another single to deep mid-wicket results. Four singles off the four balls so far.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. A length ball on top of off, PP looks to flick it away airily through mid-wicket but fails to time the ball well. Single taken towards the left of mid on.
Deepak Chahar to Moeen Ali. Another short length ball on middle, Moeen pulls this away with timing but straight to deep square leg for a single.
Bangalore with a bit of a stumbling start. They haven't gotten off to the best starts here and now have lost their skipper as well. Chennai can capitalize on this.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. A length ball outside off, Parthiv looks to pull this away but mistimes his shot towards mid-wicket and picks up a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali. SIX! Fine way to end the over, but Chennai will be more pleased having got skipper Kohli. Harbhajan tosses it up on the stumps, Moeen Ali gets low and brings out the big slog sweep. Makes sweet connection and clears mid-wicket with absolute ease.
Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali. Goes with the spin and dabs it away towards point.
Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali. Looped up on off, turns away, Moeen comes forward to defend but is beaten.
Moeen Ali walks in at no.3.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. OUT! That's a massive, massive wicket. Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper and one of the best in the business, has been dismissed early in this game. Chennai realize the value of this one. It's short and turning in from around off, Kohli goes back and plays across the line. Heaves it over mid-wicket but straight down the throat of Ravindra Jadeja, who makes no mistake coming in from the deep.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Short ball turning away from around off, Parthiv goes on the back foot and slaps it aerially down to long off for a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Quicker and flatter on off, Patel cuts it to man at cover-point.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. No damage done. Extremely full on off stump, Kohli drills it straight back to the bowler.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. NO BALL! And it's going to be a Free Hit. The dew already coming into play it seems. The ball slips out of Chahar's hand and goes above Kohli's head. Let's see what will happen now...
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Plays this on the up. Virat Kohli leans ahead and drives it down the ground, but only as far as mid off.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Behind a good length around off, defended off the back foot back down the track.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Dangerous taking Jadeja on. Kohli taps this down wide of backward point and takes off for the run. Jadeja, however, is lightning quick to the ball as he moves to his left and fires a throw at the striker's end. He misses, and Virat would have been in anyway as Parthiv sent him back in time.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Lands it on a length again, outside off, Kohli tries to flay this through the off side but fails to connect.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Good length delivery on middle and leg, it's flicked through square leg. The fielder in the deep mops it up and the batsmen take two.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. Kohli ends the over with a single. A flatter one on middle, pushed away to deep mid-wicket for a run as VK keeps the strike. A tidy first over for Harbhajan.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Harbhajan darts this one in quicker on the pads of the southpaw, Parthiv looks to flick this ball but fails to put bat on ball. It goes off the pads and towards short fine leg for a leg bye.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Short and outside off, Parthiv rocks back and cuts this behind point on the off side. Shardul Thakur there dives to his right and looks to stop the ball but misfields. The ball slows down and Thakur himself runs behind the ball keeping the runs down to two.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. Bowled quicker and flatter on the leg stump line by Harbhajan, a single is taken as Kohli pushes this towards deep mid-wicket.
Harbhajan Singh to Parthiv Patel. Another flatter one on the pads of the lefty this time, Parthiv works it away through the leg side for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. On the stumps. flicked away for a single to deep mid-wicket.
Spinner introduced early on. Harbhajan Singh to bowl from the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Good comeback from Chahar. A length ball outside off, the southpaw times it well towards the off side but fails to find the gap as there is a ring of fielders there.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. FOUR! Not good fielding! Free runs for Parthiv and Bangalore. A fuller length ball outside off and Patel leans into the drive. Times it well towards mid off. Shardul Thakur there looks to attack the ball while fielding but allows it to go through. The timing is so good that the ball reaches the rope. First boundary of the tournament.
There is dew already visible as the ball is skidding on. This should make things interesting.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Another good shot for no run. A length ball just outside off, driven hard on the front foot by Parthiv but finds Kedar Jadhav at extra cover.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Just inside the line! A length ball wide outside off but seams inward at the last moment to stay inside the tram line. No wide called, to the surprise of PP.
Deepak Chahar to Parthiv Patel. Missed out there! A length ball wide outside off from Chahar, Parthiv spreads his arms wide and cuts it hard. The ball goes straight to the cover fielder though.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. A length ball on the pads to start off with and Kohli nonchalantly flicks it away to fine leg for a single. The first run of the 12th edition on the first ball itself.
The umpires and the players make their way out to the middle and take their positions. We are all set for the first ball of the 12th edition of the Indian Twenty20 league. Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli walks out along with Parthiv Patel to bat. Deepak Chahar has the brand new white ball. He will bowl to the Indian skipper and has a single slip in place. All set! Let's play says the umpire and here we go...
STAT ZONE - In H2H between these two sides, Chennai have a lead of 14-7 in the 21 played games so far.
Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper says he's quite okay with batting first as it's the first game of the season. Mentions that last time, runs in excess of 200 were scored at this venue. States that if they bat well first, they should be in a good position. Virat informs he will be opening with Parthiv Patel, and depending on the situation, either Moeen Ali or AB de Villiers will come in at no.3. Ends by saying that the four foreigners to feature in this tournament opener for his team will be AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme and Shimron Hetmyer (making his Indian T20 League debut).
MS Dhoni, the Chennai skipper mentions that he is not sure about the wicket despite playing a few practice games and would like to allow the opposition to set the target in the first game and then try and chase it later. Informs us that they are playing only 3 foreigners who are Shane Watson, Imran Tahir and Dwayne Bravo.
TOSS - Chennai have won the toss and elected to bowl first.
PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull with the pitch report alongside Sunil Gavaskar. They reckon that the pitch might not encourage strokeplay. They feel it is a dry surface and might assist the spinners. That said, the experts believe that the ball should come on to the bat later on. The better idea would be to chase under lights with some amount of dew to come later. Since this is the first game of the season, they are not sure about what exactly to expect but they do inform us that if the dew does not turn up, it might be difficult to play the shots during the chase. The average score here batting first is 167 but Simon signs off by saying that the team batting first would want more than that here tonight.
Welcome to the first game of one of the best T20 leagues in the world. After 11 editions, we return for the 2019 edition of the Indian Twenty20 league. What better than to begin with the mammoth clash between the side of the former Indian skipper and the current Indian skipper. Chennai versus Bangalore in Chennai. Bangalore have not won here since the first edition but Virat Kohli will be really hoping they do tonight. If they do so, it will give them the confidence to go a long way in the tournament. Should be an exciting game no doubt. The toss might be a factor given dew might come in later. The Pitch report and Toss to follow...
So that is it from this game. The opening night in Chennai did not exactly turn out what it was hyped up to be. Chennai strolled to a victory in a very low-scoring game. A strong start for the reigning champions but a sorry one for Bangalore. Virat Kohli and his men will have to go back and come stronger next time. The Indian T20 League will see a double-header on Sunday. The first game will be Kolkata hosting Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens. It will begin at 1600 local (1030 GMT). And the second one will take place between Mumbai and Delhi at the Wankhede Stadium at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Join us for all the action. Till then, take care and cheers. Goodbye!
Harbhajan Singh is the Man of the Match. Laughs and says that it was a learning experience to transform from a commentator a few months back to a player come this tournament. He dedicates the award to his family. Mentions that there could not have been a better start to the league and also informs us that the coach told him he would be playing in this game due to the opposition having plenty of left-handers and bowling in the Powerplay. He looks forward to contribute further in the coming matches. Feels overjoyed on the fact that he could pick the wickets of both AB de Villiers as well as Virat Kohli. Signs off with a smile on his face and thanks Sanjay Manjrekar for his tips during their time spent in the comm box.
MS Dhoni, the winning Chennai skipper, says he was not really sure about the wicket. Informs us that they did play a practice game on the same pitch but there was not so much turn back then. He felt that the wicket was completely different to what anyone would have imagined. He mentions that he would like the wicket to improve and be a little high-scoring. On the spot of Harbhajan Singh, he says that the team members are well-informed prior to the games and that the shuffle of certain spots may or may not change according to the sides they play. When asked about whether he is happy to play 7 games on this kind of a wicket, MS does not hold back and says that he would like their batsmen to make runs as well, also mentioning that the pitch needs to improve because going ahead, it could be a problem for them in the games where they might have to defend with dew playing a part.
Ambati Rayudu is called for a chat. He says that the wicket was a tough one to bat on but states that it would have been hard had Bangalore added 40-50 runs more. Felt like he was batting on a Day 4 wicket. Mentions that they have to start afresh in the new season and not think about the previous year where they were champions.
Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper, says no one wants to start like this but mentions that he is glad it is out of the way early on in the tournament. Is happy that the side took it till the 18th over in the bowling innings despite the low total and the poor effort by the batsmen. He informs us that no one expected this kind of wicket and they were deceived by the look on the surface. Expected it to be a 140-odd surface. Has some praise for Navdeep Saini who is a promising youngster. Reckons that the important factor in such a long league is the attitude of the players and the team which will help them going ahead.
Just one of the those days for the visiting side. Nothing went its way, not even the coin toss. Bangalore had a scrappy start with the bat, losing wickets early and at regular intervals, with all but Parthiv Patel getting into double figures. When they came out to bowl, they needed a miracle. Yuzvendra Chahal bowled amazingly well, finishing with 1/6 in his 4 overs, but the tourists needed a lot more. They'd like to put this behind them quickly and move on to the next one.
The win eventually came for Chennai, even if it took longer than expected. Might not be the best Indian T20 League opener in the competition's history, but the defending champs wouldn't be complaining. They got maximum points and start the new campaign with a victory. They first got the job done with the ball, with the spin trio of Harbhajan, Tahir and Jadeja steamrolling the Bangalore batting line-up, bowling them out for just 70. And then, the hosts cruised along across the finish line without any trouble. There was never any scoreboard pressure, all too easy for them.
Shivam Dubey to Ravindra Jadeja. And there it is... CHENNAI WIN BY 7 WICKETS! Rather comfortably in the end. Jadeja gets on top of this one and helps it through the vacant square leg area for a single.
Shivam Dubey to Ravindra Jadeja. Just behind a length, angling in from outside off, the left-hander goes for another pull but gets an inside edge onto his body.
Shivam Dubey to Ravindra Jadeja. Slower length delivery outside the line of off stump, Jadeja is early into the pull and misses the pull shot altogether.
Shivam Dubey to Ravindra Jadeja. Wide! The scores are level now. Dubey comes from around the wicket and angles it down the leg side, the umpire raises his arms and signals wide.
Shivam Dubey to Kedar Jadhav. Length ball on off stump, Jadhav moves a step across and turns it square on the leg side for a single.
Shivam Dubey on to bowl now.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. A maiden! On a length on middle and leg, Jadeja pushes it towards mid-wicket for a dot ball.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Some confusion but all's well in the end. A fuller length ball on the leg stump, pushed back towards the bowler. Siraj fails to stop the ball completely and Jadeja looks for a single but Jadhav was ball watching there. Jaddu runs back in time.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Pushed towards point by RJ. No run.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. On a length outside off, Jadeja pushes it to the left of point where Hetmyer makes a diving stop. Good fielding effort despite there being nothing much left in the game.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Slower bouncer on middle, Jadeja sways out of the way and lets the ball go.
Strategic break - The Chennai batsmen are in no hurry and doing this comfortably. Just another 3 runs required for them to get on the points table. Has been a dismal night for Bangalore and continues to be so.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. Short of a length outside off, Jadhav mistimes the ball towards point.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. On a short length and aimed at the head of the batsman, Jadeja fends it off uncomfortably and manages to get the ball to go to third man for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Wide! Way down the leg side from Umesh Yadav. The umpire has wided this one.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. Dabbed down to third man for a single by KJ.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja runs down the track and looks to hit it over cover. The ball goes off the outside edge and in the air, but no fielder there means the ball will run safely down to third man. A run is taken.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Pushed towards mid-wicket by Jadeja and the batsmen decide very late that they do not want a single. Could have been a run out had they run through. Kohli the fielder was quick to get to the ball.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. On a length and on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.
Umesh Yadav is back on.
Mohammed Siraj to Kedar Jadhav. Jadhav pushes the length ball on the off stump for a single through the cover region. He keeps strike for the next over.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Inside edge! But safe. A length ball on top of off stump, Jadeja looks to defend it but gets an inside edge on the ball as it runs fine on the leg side. A run is taken.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Punched through the cover region by Jadeja for a couple of runs.
Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja. Slower ball bouncer outside off, Jadeja looks flummoxed by that as he leaves it alone.
Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. OUT! What has happened there? The stumps are in disarray! Rayudu was coming down the track and Siraj spots it early. He bowls it short and aims it at the body of the batsman. Rayudu is cramped for room and looks to pull it away still but the ball goes off the inside edge and onto the stumps. Too late in the game for Bangalore though.
Mohammed Siraj to Kedar Jadhav. Worked away off a length to third man for a single by Jadhav.
Mohammed Siraj is back on.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Good sound off the bat but the ball goes straight to the fielder. A short length ball outside off, hit hard by Rayudu coming down the track.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Another pull through the same region. Another couple results.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Short of a length, Rayudu pulls it away for a couple of runs through mid-wicket.
Navdeep Saini to Kedar Jadhav. On the pads, worked away to deep square leg for a single by KJ.
Navdeep Saini to Kedar Jadhav. Left alone! In a T20! Such is the state of the game. A length ball outside off, Jadhav leaves in perfect Test match fashion.
Navdeep Saini to Kedar Jadhav. Wide! Sprays this one down the leg side. The umpire spreads his hands wide.
Navdeep Saini to Kedar Jadhav. Length ball outside off, defended back to the bowler by Rayudu off the back foot.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A loopy delivery outside off, Rayudu lets this one go. Chahal ends with the figures 4-1-6-1.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A nice air on this one. Full on leg, defended with ease.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Full on off, Rayudu puts it away.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Wrong 'un this time. Pitched on middle, Rayudu plays it late and blocks it.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kedar Jadhav. On the pads, Jadhav flicks it wide of mid-wicket and blocks it.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kedar Jadhav. Flighted on off, Jadhav blocks it off his front foot.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back for his final over.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. A back of a length delivery on off, Rayudu looks for a pull but gets an inside edge onto the ground.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Lovely shot that. Short of a good length delivery on off, Rayudu plays a cover drive with precision. It goes through the gap between covers and extra cover. The ball touches the ropes. Ambati plays it with great technique, a great foot work and perfect placement.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Rayudu taps it to mid on. 4th dot ball this.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Bouncer! Outside off, Ambati sways away from it.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Slightly fuller than the previous one. It is outside off, Rayudu hits it straight to point.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Good length ball on off, Rayudu blocks it off his back foot.
Navdeep Saini back on.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. FOUR! Crisp! A back of a length delivery on off, Jadhav pulls it upshily and a one bounce four at the vacant mid-wicket region. The bat made a crisp sound on that. Perfect timing by Kedar on this.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. A short pitch delivery on off, Kedar punches it to covers. Dot ball.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. A back of a length delivery, angled in for Jadhav. Kedar was looking for a late cut but fails to put the bat on the ball.
Umesh Yadav to Kedar Jadhav. On a length this. Jadhav taps it back to the bowler with straight bat.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Extra bounce on this one. Back of a length delivery on off, Rayudu looks to block it but it goes off the outer half of the bat towards third man for a single.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Good length delivery on off, Rayudu taps it to point. No run.
Moeen Ali to Kedar Jadhav. Full on off, defended.
Moeen Ali to Kedar Jadhav. Full on leg, Jadhav taps it to square leg and jogs across for a single without looking at his partner. Rayudu at other end shouts a loud NO and sends Jadhav back. Could have been a run out, as Kedar had to scramble back.
Moeen Ali to Kedar Jadhav. A flat delivery on off, Jadhav wrists it away to the mid-wicket region and adds a double to the score.
Moeen Ali to Kedar Jadhav. Flatter on leg, Jadhav looks to glance it but gets an inside edge which falls just short of the leg slip fielder.
Kedar Jadhav walks out at number 4.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. OUT! Moeen has the last laugh. Tossed up delivery on middle, Raina charges down the track and looks to clear the fielder at long on. He does not time it well enough as he doesn't get the desired elevation and it goes straight to Shivam Dubey positioned there. He takes it just inside the rope.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Beautiful shot! No power, just pure timing and placement. Moeen bowls this at 91 clicks, Raina waits for it and then punches it through covers for a boundary.
Strategic Break - Chennai cruising along here. The target is a very small one and there is no scoring pressure. They lost Shane Watson early but Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina have steadied the ship. Only wickets will do for Bangalore and they need to get them very quickly and in heaps.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Full on leg, Rayudu keeps it away.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Back of a length delivery, Raina flicks it to fine leg and takes a single. A cheer from the crowd as this single brings 5000 runs in the Indian T20 league for Suresh Raina.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Umesh sprays down the leg side, Rayudu flicks it to fine leg for a single.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Back of a length delivery on off, Rayudu taps it back to the bowler.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Good length delivery outside off, Raina runs it down to third man for a single.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Starts with a good length delivery on the pads, Raina tucks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Umesh Yadav introduced into the attack.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. A quicker one in the air, Raina taps it to covers and runs for the single.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. Fuller delivery on middle, Raina defends it with ease.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. Full on leg, Raina tries to flick it but misses it.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Two in two. This time Raina stays in his crease. Tossed up on off, Raina gets on one knee and sweeps it between mid-wicket and long on for another boundary.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Raina takes the charge here. Flighted delivery on middle and off, Raina comes down the track and lofts it over mid on. The ball crosses the rope after a bounce.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Full outside off, Rayudu nudges it to long off and gets to the other end.
Navdeep Saini to Suresh Raina. Back of a length delivery on off, Raina punches it straight to point.
Navdeep Saini to Suresh Raina. A short pitch delivery on leg, Raina on his back foot places it away to mid-wicket.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Saini bowls a full toss on off, Rayudu punches it to mid off and grabs a single.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Yes he can. Full length delivery on middle, Rayudu gets his front foot out of the line and whacks it over the bowler's head. He does not time it well but it is struck well enough to cross the rope after a couple of bounces.
FREE HIT TIME...
Navdeep Saini to Suresh Raina. No ball! You cannot afford to give any extra runs when you're defending 71 but Saini has overstepped his line there. He bowls this on middle , Raina pulls it to fine leg for a single. Rayudu will get the Free Hit ball. Can he make the most of it?
Navdeep Saini to Suresh Raina. Back of a length delivery around off, Raina gets on his heels and blocks it.
Navdeep Saini to Suresh Raina. Good length delivery on middle and leg, Raina flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Navdeep Saini is back into the attack.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Full on off, Rayudu blocks it with ease. That is the end of the Powerplay. Bangalore at this stage were 33/2. Chennai are 16/1.
Moeen Ali to Suresh Raina. A well tossed up delivery on off, Raina just drives it to the long off region for a single.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. A back of a length on off, Rayudu just works it to mid-wicket and runs for a single.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Outside off, Ambati looks to defend it but once again gets beaten.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Flighted outside off, Rayudu looks to defend but gets beaten. Virat Kohli at first slip was excited but Parthiv does not gather it well and spills it.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Loopy delivery, it is full and right down the tramline. Rayudu hits it wide of point but Siraj dives and stops the single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Suresh Raina. Shortens the length, outside off. Raina cuts the ball but finds the point fielder.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Flatter one on middle, turned away safely for a single by Rayudu to deep mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Suresh Raina. From around the wicket, flicked to square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Flatter on one middle, worked towards the leg side by Ambati and the batsmen run through for a quick single. The keeper, Parthiv runs to the ball and looks for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Shorter on the hips, Rayudu misses his flick. The ball goes off the thigh pad towards the leg side. The batsmen look for a single initially but then decide against it in the end.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A flatter one on middle, pushed back to the bowler off the back foot.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. In the air... but dropped. Flighted delivery on middle and leg, Rayudu looks to break the shackles and attempts a slog sweep. He gets no timing on it and the ball goes towards backward square leg. Umesh Yadav comes running in from the deep and puts in a dive. He gets both his hands to the ball but it pops out. A single is taken.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Shorter outside off, Ambati guides it down to short third man. Another dot.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Flighted on middle, Rayudu punches it to the fielder at mid on.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. On middle and leg, Rayudu flicks it to the fielder at backward square leg.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Flighted on middle, Ambati blocks it off his back foot.
Moeen Ali to Ambati Rayudu. Starts with a short off spinner around off, Rayudu guides it to short third man. Raina looks for a single but Rayudu sends him back.
Moeen Ali is into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Suresh Raina. Full on leg, Raina keeps it away.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A tossed up delivery around middle, Rayudu leans forward and drives it to the extra cover fielder, misfield by ABD allows a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A loopy delivery on leg, Ambati flicks it to mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Suresh Raina. On the pads this time, Raina gets off the mark by flicking it towards square leg.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Suresh Raina. Huge appeal from the bowler and keeper but turned down by the umpire. Flighted outside off, Raina looks to defend it but gets hit on the pad. It looked to be stuck outside the line and the replays later confirm that the impact was outside off.
Suresh Raina walks in at number 3.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. OUT! Bowled! Chahal gets the breakthrough. Flighted delivery on middle and off. Watson looks to sweep it but misses and the ball goes onto crash the off stump. Bangalore needed an early wicket and they have got it.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Rayudu is not gonna wait for long. Back of a length delivery, Ambati comes down the track and flat bats over long on for a maximum.
Navdeep Saini to Shane Watson. On the pads this time, Watson looks to flick but misses and it goes to the on side off his thigh pad. Leg bye taken and Watson still not off the mark.
Navdeep Saini to Shane Watson. Length delivery coming in slightly after pitching. Watto looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pad.
Navdeep Saini to Shane Watson. 7th consecutive dot for Watson and this is a painful one. Bouncer from Saini. Watson looks to pull it but misses and the ball hits him on his helmet. The ball lobs back to Saini who catches it and goes up in appeal. Turned down by the umpire.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. First run of the chase. Good length delivery outside off, Rayudu cuts it to backward point. Siraj collects it by running in from third man. Single taken.
Navdeep Saini to Ambati Rayudu. Starts with a pacy delivery. It is bowled at 140 case on a length. Rayudu blocks it towards point.
Navdeep Saini to bowl from the other end.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. Short and wide outside off, cut straight to the point fielder. A maiden over from Yuzvendra Chahal. Terrific start from the leggie.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. Ooohh! This is good bowling from Chahal. Tosses it up on leg stump, it spins away, Watson closes the bat face early and it goes off the leading edge square on the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. A little more pace on it, around the off stick, another defensive shot on offer.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. Some extra bounce on this occasion for Chahal. Lands it on leg, it turns away with some bounce. Goes off the shoulder of Watson's bat and flies past first slip.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. Quicker through the air again, in line of the stumps, Watson stays right behind the line and blocks it out.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Shane Watson. Quick and full on off stump, Watson drives it to the man at extra cover.
We are back for the chase. Out walk the opening pair of Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu for Chennai. Bangalore need early wickets so Yuzvendra Chahal to starts the proceedings. Only 71 needed. Should be a walk in the park for Chennai but can Bangalore spring the biggest surprise of the tournament?