IPL 2024, CSK vs RCB: All-round Chennai impress as Rutu’raj’ begins in style
Chennai Super Kings opened their title defence in IPL 2024 with a comfortable win against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
It was a winning start for young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad who took over from MS Dhoni on the eve of the the season opener. CSK chased down 174 in just 18.4 overs, riding on an all-round batting effort, led by debutant Rachin Ravindra. Mustafizur Rahman was the star of the show for the Super Kings as he picked up 4 wickets in his first appearance for the 5-time champions.
Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik’s valiant rescue effort with the bat went in vain as Chennai Super Kings made light work of the target with a clinical batting show. Shivam Dube, who made a big impact after coming in as Impact Player, hit an unbeaten 34 while Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 25 as the left-handed duo stitched an unbeaten 66-run stand for the 5th wicket as the Super Kings sealed a 6-wicket win.
MS Dhoni, Chepauk’s favourite son, was not needed with the bat, but he impressed with his glovework on his return to competitive action after knee surgery last year.
It was Chennai Super Kings’s 8th win in 9 meetings with Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. RCB’s wait for a win in Chennai extends to 15 years as they last tasted success in the inaugural edition in 2008.
Ruturaj Gaikwad looked calm and composed from the word go as he was in control of proceedings even after he lost the toss and Faf du Plessis opted to bat. Ruturaj was constantly talking to his former captain MS Dhoni on the field, taking help from the joint-most successful captain on the field.
DEBUTANTS SHINE FOR CSK
Mustafizur Rahman was the star of the show for Chennai on a sporting pitch. The left-arm pacer tore into the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting unit. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli gave RCB a strong start with the bat, racing to 41 in just the 5th over.
Du Plessis was feasting on the width that was on offer, hitting as many as 7 boundaries in the first four overs.
However, Mustafizur and Rachin combined to pick up the first wicket for the Super Kings. The Bangladesh pacer, who hadn’t found success with the ball in the last few seasons, struck twice in the penultimate over in the powerplay, removing Du Plessia for 35 and Rajat Patidar for 0. The Maharashtra batter, who struggled in his maiden Test series in the last few weeks against England, was dismissed early as his poor run continued.
Virat Kohli struggled to get going and accelerate after the powerplay and he was one of Mustafizur’s four victims. Kohli looked rusty on his return to competitive cricket after paternity leave and he fell while trying to hook a bouncer into the mid-wicket boundary.
Anuj Rawat showcased a lot of composure under pressure as he kept counter-attacking, putting pressure on the Super Kings bowlers. Dinesh Karthik, who was fighting for form, managed to get going with a couple of brisk boundaries as RCB fought well in the end, hitting 71 runs in the last 5 overs.
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad would later go on to point fingers at the end overs, saying that CSK would have loved to restrict RCB by 10-15 runs.
However, the end-overs assault from Anuj and Dinesh Karthik was not enough as the Super Kings rode on an all-round batting show to coast past the finish line.
Rachin shone at the top while Rahane and Mitchell made crucial contributions before Dube and Jadeja finished it off.
Chennai will be high on confidence when they take on Gujarat Titans in their second game on Tuesday at home while RCB’s bowling unit needs a lot of work as they host Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.