IPL 2018, MI vs CSK: Highest run-scorers and wicket-takers

IPL 2018 began with one of the most thrilling and twisting games the competition has ever seen. In a battle between the two of the most successful teams in the league’s history, CSK skipper MS Dhoni put Mumbai Indians into bat first.

After losing Evin Lewis and Rohit Sharma early, a 78-run partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan revived the MI innings. Following the dismissal of both batsmen, Krunal Pandya’s 22-ball 41 took Mumbai Indians to 165. Some fine bowling from Dwayne Bravo during the death overs made sure Mumbai Indians did not score around 170-180.

Chennai Super Kings weren’t off to a bad start as openers Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu hit a couple of big shots. However, Watson’s wicket triggered a collapse as CSK went on losing wickets in quick succession.

Chennai had most of their key batsmen back to the pavilion thanks to some brilliant bowling from Mayank Markande and Hardik Pandya.

Both bowlers took three wickets each but Markande could have had four had Mumbai Indians gone for a review regarding an LBW appeal made for Kedar Jadhav’s wicket which looked clearly out. Jadhav retired hurt which just increased CSK’s woes.

However, Dwayne Bravo brought CSK back into the game by doing some pinch-hitting during the middle overs. That pinch-hitting turned into a fantastic knock during the death overs.

Bravo almost took the match away from Mumbai Indians by hitting 20 runs from 5 deliveries during the penultimate over. However, he was dismissed on the final ball of the over after scoring a magnificent 68 from just 30 balls.

With 9 wickets down for the two-time champions, Kedar Jadhav came in to bat to keep CSK back in the game with 7 runs needed from the final over. After three dot balls, it looked like Mumbai Indians were back into the driver’s seat.

However, Jadhav smashed a six in the fourth delivery to level the scores. He then hit the next ball for a boundary to win the match for Chennai Super Kings. Bravo was unsurprisingly adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance with both ball and bat.

With the match over, let’s take a look at the top run-scorers and the top wicket-takers of the tournament from the opening game.

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Highest run-scorers

Bravo's 68 saw CSK cross the finish line

Bravo stole the show with his brilliant 68 and tops the table for now. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan performed brilliantly, scoring 43 and 40 respectively. Krunal Pandya’s brilliant cameo gave a hint of what is to come in the upcoming matches. Kedar Jadhav takes the 5th spot with his 24.

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Leading wicket-takers

Markande had a brilliant debut

20-year old Mayank Markande had a dream of an IPL debut as he took three wickets including the key scalps of Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni. Hardik bowled incredibly well despite hurting his right ankle during the final ball of the MI innings.

He also bagged three wickets including the crucial wickets of Watson and Raina. Shane Watson was the pick of the CSK bowlers as he took the key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

Deepak Chahar was also pretty economical, conceding just 14 from his three overs. Imran Tahir had a poor first over but he came back well in his second, conceding just 5 runs and dismissing Ishan Kishan who as looking a tad dangerous out there.