The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) began in grand style at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, with the Chennai Super Kings doing ‘CSK things’ and the Royal Challengers Bangalore doing ‘RCB things’. Chasing a middling 174, Rachin Ravindra stepped in for his injured Kiwi partner Devon Conway with a risky but quick 15-ball 37 that built in conviction.
Beginning with a bottom edge four and a top edge that flew for six, Ravindra stamped his authority with two imperious draws before sweeping right into the clutches of deep square-leg.
Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell’s breezy twenties were cut short by Cameron Green’s two short deliveries, but if RCB sensed a comeback with the loss of those two wickets, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja decisively shut the door on it as CSK extended its unbeaten run at Chepauk against the Bengaluru side with a six-wicket victory.