Chennai Super Kings crushed Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Saturday. Kedar Jadhav was unbeaten on 13 and Ravindra Jadeja not out on six as CSK chased down the small target with 14 balls to spare. Ambati Rayudu top-scored for CSK with 28 runs while Suresh Raina, who became the first batsman to score 5,000 runs in the IPL, contributed with 19 runs. Earlier, Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh claimed three wickets each as CSK bundled out RCB for a paltry 70 runs after opting to bowl. Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets, while Dwayne Bravo claimed the final wicket as the star-studded batting-line-up of RCB was wrapped up in 17.1 overs. Opener Parthiv Patel top-scored for RCB with 29 runs. Skipper Virat Kohli failed to impress much at the opening slot as he was dismissed for six runs. In all, RCB lost nine of their batsmen for a single-digit score. Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, CSK made a successful return to their home ground. Banned for two years till 2017, CSK were forced to play all but one home match in Pune last season, with protests over the Cauvery water dispute having forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift matches out of Chennai. (SCORECARD)
IPL 2019 Highlights Between Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore from MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
That brings an end to a low-scoring match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Thank you for joining us for the IPL live coverage.
Mohammed Siraj strikes, castles Ambati Rayudu for 28. Rayudu is playing the IPL 2019 with a World Cup spot in mind. Chennai Super Kings are 59/3 in 14.2 overs. The home team is just 12 runs away from the target.
Suresh Raina goes for a big hit but fails as Shivam Dube makes no mistake at long on. He departs for 19 after completing 5,000 IPL runs. Moeen Ali claims his first wicket. Chennai Super Kings are 40/2 in 9.2 overs.
Ambati Rayudu dropped on 8 runs. Umesh Yadav is the culprit. He mistimes his dive and fails to take an easy catch at deep square region. Chennai Super Kings are 11/1 in 4 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal strikes to castle Shane Watson for zero. Chennai Super Kings lose their first batsman early in the chase of 71. They are 8/1 in 2.1 overs.
Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu are out in the middle to start Chennai Super Kings' chase of 71. Yuzvendra Chahal to open the attack for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Dwayne Bravo claims the final wicket. Parthiv Patel eventually departs for 29. Royal Challengers Bangalore all out for 70 runs. MS Dhoni's plan to bowl after winning the toss has worked for Chennai Super Kings at their home ground. Spinners Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir claimed three wickets each for CSK, while Patel top-scored for RCB with 29 runs.
Innings Break!
Bravo has the last laugh. RCB all out for 70 runs in 17.1 overs at the Chepauk.
Ravindra Jadeja strikes again, castles Umesh Yadav for 1. Royal Challengers Bangalore are 70/9 in 16.5 overs. All hopes are now on Parthiv Patel, who is unbeaten for 29.
Imran Tahir takes his third wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal departs for 4. Harbhajan Singh (3/20) helps Tahir claim his third wicket. RCB are 59/8 in 13.4 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal takes some quick runs for Royal Challenges Bangalore. A triple takes RCB to 59/7 in 13 overs. Chennai Super Kings will aim to wrap up RCB early.
Imran Tahir claims his second wicket. Navdeep Saini departs for 2. A smart decision by MS Dhoni keeps Chennai Super Kings on top. Royal Challengers Bangalore are 57/3 in 11.1 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja strikes to get Colin de Grandhomme for 4. MS Dhoni takes a brilliant catch. Chennai Super Kings take complete control as Royal Challengers are reeling at 50/6 in 10.3 overs.
Run-out! Shimron Hetmyer loses his wicket for zero on IPL debut. Suresh Raina makes no mistake in combination with wicket-keeper MS Dhoni. RCB are 39/4 in 8 overs.
Harbhajan Singh strikes again, dismisses Moeen Ali for nine. The seasoned spinner is doing his magic in the opening match. This is an 11th caught and bowled dismissal for Harbhajan, most by any bowler in the history of IPL. Royal Challengers Bangalore are 28/2 in 5.2 overs.
Big wicket for Chennai Super Kings. Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli departs for 6. Harbhajan Singh gives CSK an early breakthrough. RCB are 16/1 in 3.3 overs.
Misfield! Shardul Thakur is the culprit. Parthiv Patel punches it to long-off to get hist first boundary. Royal Challengers Bangalore are 5/0 in 0.5 overs.
Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel are out in the middle to start Royal Challengers Bangalore's innings. Deepak Chahar to open the attack for Chennai Super Kings.
Chennai Super Kings
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat Kohli
MS Dhoni