ROSHIN GEORGE
At the inaugural match in the Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium on September 19, Chennai Super Kings beat defending champion Mumbai Indians by five wickets with four balls to spare.
At 6 pm, Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance and chairman of ECB, declared the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, IPL 2020, open.
There were no crowds, cheerleaders or flamethrowers but the aura of a regular exciting match was recreated with the spectator noise and blaring trumpets.
MS Dhoni’s team avenged last year’s loss in the IPL final with a thumping 166/5 victory. After winning toss, CSK sent MI to bat and restricted it to 162/9 in 20 overs.
Ambati Rayudu was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant 71 off 48 balls. His partnership with Faf du Plessis, who remained unbeaten on 58 off 44 balls, saved CSK after the early loss of two wickets.
Left-hander Saurabh Tiwary top scored for the Mumbai Indians with 42 from 31 deliveries, before du Plessis caught him. Quinton de Kock scored a brilliant 33 off 20 balls. Lungi Ngidi was CSK’s most successful bowler with 3/38.
