Cricket Scorecard

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Well then, are 155 enough? Irrespective of yes or no, MI have a fighting total on the board, on this slow Chennai pitch. However, the dew factor will play a pivotal role. Remember, Suryakumar Yadav, at the toss mentioned that when there is breeze, the dew doesn't come up much. It all depends on how MI capitalizes on the new ball. They do have two proper new-ball bowlers in Boult and Deepak Chahar, who can swing the ball either ways, and would look to pick quick wickets inside the first six. For

Khaleel Ahmed of CSK is in for a chat. He says that it felt good out in the middle and shares that swinging the ball is his strength. Mentions that he was pleased to bowl more in the Powerplay, where he thrives. Adds that there wasn’t much swing on offer. Credits the spinners for their efforts in the middle phase and expresses confidence in the batters to chase the target down.

When heavyweights collide, you expect both sides to trade equal punches. With spin barrage at full tilt, it was Noor Ahmad who turned on the screws on Mumbai Indians as he not only broke the 51-run stand between Tilak and Suryakumar, but also removed both the set batters in no time, eventually picking up a four-for, and his figures of 4-0-18-4 were the best for any CSK spinner against MI.

With MI slipping down to 87/3 to 118/7, and all the experienced batters in the dugout, and the score still distant from a challenging territory, a quick cameo by Deepak Chahar helped MI to muster up 37 runs in the last four overs. His invaluable cameo helped MI to go past the 150-run mark.

It was a SKY and Tilak alliance that gradually grew in confidence as they progressed at a decent rate. Gaikwad didn’t waste much time to introduce the spin triumvirate at full tilt and rotated his spinners nicely. It was a typical slow Chennai wicket, but Tilak Varma batted with positive intent as MI got into a decent position at the halfway stage. It was a balanced first half as CSK dominated the first six, but MI sneaked back in the next four overs, scoring 30 runs in that phase, without lo

Opting to bowl first, CSK got off to a positive start. Khaleel Ahmed, donning the yellows for the first ever time, provided those early breakthroughs for his side as he removed both MI openers in successive overs. It was a proper homecoming for Ashwin as he too, struck in his very first over by removing Will Jacks. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma came out with positive intent and found early boundaries, which pushed MI to 52/3 at the end of the Powerplay.

And all of a sudden, we are back to the conventional T20 game! For those wondering what does this mean, just cast your minds a few hours back. In the day game, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored these many runs in just 12 overs. Yes, you read it correctly. That's the difference a pitch can make. A late flourish from Deepak Chahar helped MI to post 155 on the board, and has provided a good total for the bowlers to fight for.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, ! Chahar finishes with a boundary and his quickfire 15-ball 28 has given MI a total to defend! Nathan Ellis goes into the wicket but the line is a bit down leg, Deepak Chahar waits on the back foot and gets inside the line. Helps the pull to the left of short fine leg for a boundary. Mumbai Indians finish with 155 on the board!

Well then, 10 from the last over so far. Can Chahar finish off positively?

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Wide not given and Chahar has taken the review! Ellis spots Chahar shuffle across and pushes it away from the batter, on a good length, Chahar swings but fails to connect. It turns out to be a good call from the umpire. 

Nathan Ellis to Satyanarayana Raju, Dug in short, on off, Raju swings to pull it away. Manages to connect and it goes towards deep square leg for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Back to over the wicket and pace on, on a length, around off, Chahar slices it to the left of extra cover and surprisingly, takes the single. 150 up for MI!

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, ! What a hit! Chahar is adding some crucial runs for MI! Nathan switches to around the wicket and bowls it on a back of a length. This sits up to be hit and Chahar stands tall and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Satyanarayana Raju is the last batter in for Mumbai Indians. Also, with Khaleel Ahmed finishing his spell, he has been subbed out and Rahul Tripathi has taken the field as the impact substitute for CSK.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, A slower one from Ellis at 110.1 kph, on off, on a length, Chahar swings for the hills but gets an inside edge past short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Khaleel Ahmed to Trent Boult, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Khaleel Ahmed ends his spell with a wicket!

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, Keeps it near the tramline on off, on a back of a length, Chahar is a bit early into the cut and mistimes the shot to deep cover for one.

Khaleel Ahmed to Trent Boult, Dug in short from over the wicket, on off, Boult backs away and slaps it to deep point for one.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, 1 run.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, ! All the way this time! Ahmed errs as he serves it right in the slot, on off, Deepak Chahar swings through the line and launches it into the sight screen for a six.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, ! Good shot! Slanting across the right-hander from over the wicket, on off, Deepak gets under the ball and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Who walks in?

Is that out? MS Dhoni gestures height, but Nathan Ellis believes the ball is not that high enough. Convinces Gaikwad to review. CSK go up for a review for LBW, challenging the on-field decision. The third umpire says there is no need for the UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows three reds. !

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, ! LBW! Excellent review and Nathan Ellis has his first wicket for CSK!

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Leg bye! On a short of a good length, pace taken off, Chahar hops and looks to pick it up on the leg side. He fails to connect and a leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the thigh pad to short fine leg.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, 2 runs.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, At 129.9 kph, on a back of a length, on middle, Santner hangs back and punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Hurls it on a nagging length, on middle, Mitchell pats it back to Ellis.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Four!

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Floated up, full and on off, played back to the bowler by Deepak. Noor is done for the night. He ends with remarkable figures of 4-0-18-4. Harsha Bhogle informs on air that these are the best figures for a CSK spinner against MI.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Beaten! Serves the googly which spins away from the right-hander, on a nagging length, Chahar pokes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Noor Ahmad to Mitchell Santner, Drags the length back now, on off, Mitchell Santner pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Slips in the googly, full and around off, Chahar presses to defend. Gets it off the outer half to backward point for one.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Looped up, on off, Chahar drives this full ball to cover.

Deepak Chahar is in at number 9.

STRATEGIC BREAK. Mumbai Indians were cruising gently when Tilak and Suryakumar Yadav were at the crease, but it was Noor Ahmad who brought in those breakthroughs in the middle overs. Hence, Mumbai Indians slipped from 87/3 to 96/6. The problem for MI is, they don't have proper experienced batters left to come out and would want Santner and Naman to bat till the end. This certainly doesn't look like a very high scoring surface as it is a typical slow Chennai wicket, and anything in the territo

Noor Ahmad to Naman Dhir, ! CLEANED HIM UP! Noor Ahmad is on a roll tonight! Strikes right away after the break.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, Pace taken off by Ellis, on a good length, on middle, Naman waits on it and glances it to short fine leg for one more.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Honing in at the stumps, fuller in length, at 135.4 kph, Santner knocks it down the deck. Ellis sticks out his right boot to make the stop. The ball deflects off his shoe to his right for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Wide! A slower bumper attempted by Nathan but this goes beyond the wide guideline on off. Santner lets it be.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Serves it on a good length, on off, pushed to cover by Mitchell.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, There is that off-pace delivery from the back of the hand by Ellis, on a good length, on off, Naman drops it beside the pitch on the leg side for one.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, On a shortish length, at 129.2 kph, on off, Naman jabs it to the left of deep square leg for another brace.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, 2 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, A carrom ball, flat and straight on the stumps, Naman Dhir defends it off the outer half of the bat to the cover region for a run. Ashwin finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-31-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, ! A boundary after ages for MI!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mitchell Santner, Short of a good length, outside off, punched away to deep point for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, Length again, on middle and leg, tucked across to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, Floated on a length around off, Naman Dhir works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mitchell Santner, Length ball, angling on off, from around the stumps, Mitchell Santner backs away and punches it through cover for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, On a length, flat and on middle and leg, Mitchell Santner works it across to the mid-wicket region for only a single. Quite a breathless over from Jadeja.

Ravindra Jadeja to Naman Dhir, Length ball, angling on middle, Naman backs away and drags it down to long on for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, Back of a length, sliding onto the pads, Santner steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, No run.

Mitchell Santner walks in now.

Ravindra Jadeja to Naman Dhir, Short and outside off. Dhir cuts it away through the cover region for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, ! LBW! GONE! Noor has his third wicket and he has turned the screws on the Mumbai Indians! Noor drops a googly, and it is a fuller-length delivery, that turns back into the batter after pitching. Tilak Varma goes deep inside the crease to work it across into the leg side, but plays over the wrong line as the ball passes close to the inside edge. He gets rapped on the pads in front. A huge confident appeal for LBW and up goes the finger! Tilak Varma has s

Naman Dhir makes his way out to the centre.

Noor Ahmad to Naman Dhir, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, ! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Half of the Mumbai Indians side is back in the hut now as Noor Ahmad picks up his second wicket! Dishes out a fuller-length delivery, gives it a bit of air, and drops it just around off, Robin Minz strides forward clearing his front leg. Tries to clear long off, but does not quite get the bat under the ball and mistimes his shot in the air, off the bottom half of the bat. It airs straight into the safe hands of Ravindra Jadeja who tak

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Excellent work there in the deep by Ravindra Jadeja! Speared in fuller around off, Tilak Varma plays inside out over covers and the ball is cut off by Jadeja which restricts the batters to just a single.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, Pitched fuller on middle, Robin Minz smashes it straight to the bowler. Noor bends low to his left but the ball evades him and rolls in the deep. A single taken.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, Wide!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, A direct hit, but Tilak is safely in!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, Flatter and quicker on middle, on a fuller length, Tilak Varma backs away, exposes his stumps, and cuts it straight to cover.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Back of a length, at the pads, Robin Minz leans forward and flicks it along the ground to the mid-wicket area and gets a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Length, around off, punched off the back foot to cover.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, No run.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Flat and on a good length, Robin tries to work it into the leg side, but wears on the pads.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Flat and full, outside off, Tilak Varma carves it out to the deep point region for a couple of runs.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Wide!

Robin Minz walks out to bat. He comes from Jharkhand, the land of the man standing behind the stumps.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, ! STUMPED! Lightning-quick hands from the 43-year young wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni! Noor dishes out a googly, and lands around middle and off stumps, on a yard behind fuller length. Suryakumar Yadav clears his front leg, creates room for himself and shapes up to go inside out over covers, but misses as the ball takes a sharp bite off the surface and spins away. The ball beats the bat and MS Dhoni shows quick reflexes behind the stumps. Collects the ball cle

Lightning-quick work by MS Dhoni and Suryakumar Yadav is already walking. It has been referred upstairs for a stumping check.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Good length, on the stumps, tucked across into the leg side by Tilak. A single taken.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, BYES! Beats everybody!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, On middle and leg, flat and short, Tilak eases it to long off for one more.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, 1 run.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, Keeps it flat and short, following the batter, Tilak whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for the fourth single of the over.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Out comes the carrom ball, on off, on a length, SKY goes for the sweep. Gets a top edge that spins towards deep backward square leg at Noor Ahmad. They cross.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, From around the wicket to the left-hander and bowled from well wide of the crease. On a nagging length, at the stumps, Tilak presses back and punches it to long on for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK. A proper tussle is brewing between these two sides. CSK found themselves a bit ahead in the first six overs, picking up three wickets, but MI have cruised back strongly with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma's partnership growing at a decent pace. Of course, this is not a surface where you will see streaks of sixes and fours, as this Chennai's pitch demands a bit more application from the batters. CSK, however, will be aiming to break this partnership that has added 40 runs off

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, on a length, on middle, driven down to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, A bit of grip this one, at 96.3 kph, on off, SKY checks his shot and knocks it to the left of the bowler for one more. 10 runs off the over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Short and on middle, nudged through square leg for a single by Tilak.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Strays on the pads, on a nagging length, Tilak swings to swipe it away on the leg side. Gets it off the toe end to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Fuller and going across, pushed to cover again.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, On the shorter side, Tilak backs away but Jadeja follows him. He can only play it to cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Six!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Slanted across the right-hander again, SKY carves this full ball away to the left of deep point for another brace.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Floated up, on the pads, Suryakumar whips it to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Halt!

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Slides onto the pads, Varma works this through square leg for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, In the air...but safe! Dishes out a googly does Noor, very full, around off, Suryakumar Yadav gets down nice and low for the sweep. Fails to control the shot and gets a top edge. Khaleel Ahmed comes in off the ropes at deep backward square leg but the ball lands well in front of him. They cross.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Starts with a delivery, well wide on off, SKY lets it be.

Noor Ahmad is introduced into the attack. He replaces Khaleel Ahmed.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, ! A massive misjudgement from Sam Curran and it goes all the way! Fired across, on off, Varma stays a bit low to go down the ground. Gets under the ball but fails to get the elevation. Hits it flat towards long off where Sam runs in and loses the ball in the lights. He was better off staying back at the ropes. Sees the ball sail over his head for a six.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, Darted in again from around the wicket, Yadav works this one off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, Speared in first up, very full, at the pads, Yadav misses the flick and wears it on the front pad.

So just one over for Ravichandran Ashwin then. Here's Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, Sharp delivery! Digs it in short at 140 kph, a good effort ball and this climbs onto the batter, Tilak swings for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, NO BALL! Sprayed well beyond the tramline on off but Khaleel has overstepped too. Free Hit coming up!

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, Honing in at the stumps, at 137.3 kph, on a good length, Varma turns it to mid-wicket.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bends his back and bashes the hard length, over middle. The ball kicks up a bit but SKY adjusts well to dab it down in front of backward point for a single.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Effortlessly done! A bit too straight, on the pads, on a length, Suryakumar Yadav brings his wrists into play and picks it up and over square leg for a six. 50 up for MI.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Drags the length back slightly but keeps the stumps in play, Suryakumar knocks it with a straight bat to mid on.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, With a change of ends, Khaleel steams in from over the wicket and attacks the stumps, SKY drives this full ball straight to mid off.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, ! Innovative and effective! Ashwin pushes it through, fuller and just outside off, Tilak Varma switches his stance and reverse sweeps it between the short third and backward point region for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, ! Tilak Varma gets off the mark in style! Fuller and tossed around off, Tilak Varma spreads across on the front foot and slashes it over cover and point for a boundary.

Tilak Varma walks in at number 5 with MI in a spot of bother.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Will Jacks, ! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin strikes in his very first over and a proper comeback in the yellows for the veteran!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, sliding on the pads, on a length, Yadav nudges it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Wonderful shot! Dishes out fuller and on off, Suryakumar Yadav picks it up inside out and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

The local boy Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Will Jacks, Tosses it up, at 92.6 kph, full and around off, Will Jacks hangs back and hits it to the right of the diving Ashwin for a single at long on.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Digs it in short and on the stumps, Suryakumar Yadav gets a bit of an inside edge onto the pads as he looks to block it off the back foot.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, ! The first boundary for Suryakumar! Hard length at the stumps, Suryakumar Yadav weighs on the back foot, and controls the pull shot, and hits it a bit uppishly through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nathan Ellis to Will Jacks, Keeps the length shorter, on middle, Will Jacks tucks it to the right of mid on and they cross for another quick single.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Short and on off, Suryakumar Yadav rises with the bounce and punches it to the left of mid off and steals a quick single.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Bustles and hurls on a back of a length, on top of middle, Suryakumar Yadav nudges it across to the deep mid-wicket region and hares back for the second run.

Nathan Ellis to Will Jacks, Nathan Ellis is into the attack now. Bowls on a length, on middle and leg, Will Jacks tucks it to the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Keeps bowling on the hard length, angling away from the batter, on off and middle, Suryakumar Yadav rises with the bounce and pats it to the cover region. A brilliant over by Khaleel. The wicket of Rickelton and just a boundary off it.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Hard length, going across off, on top of off, Suryakumar Yadav taps it out to the off side.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Length, on middle, blocked off the back foot.

The MI skipper, Suryakumar Yadav walks out to bat. Two slips in place for SKY.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Oh, almost the third!

Khaleel Ahmed to Ryan Rickelton, ! CHOPPED ON! Khaleel Ahmed gets another as he removes Ryan Rickelton! A brilliant start for Khaleel in the yellows! He hurls it outside off, shaping away with the angle, on a fuller length, Ryan Rickelton leans on the ball, extends his arms, and tries to crack the cover drive again, but this time, he ends up playing over the wrong line and a healthy inside edge is found. The ball crashes into the wickets. Ryan Rickelton departs for 13 (7) after a dece

Khaleel Ahmed to Ryan Rickelton, ! A streak of fours for Mumbai Indians! On a hard length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton hangs on the back foot and punches it through the cover gap for a cracking boundary. He is middling the ball with ease.

Sam Curran to Will Jacks, ! Up and over the in-field! Pitched slightly fuller and on the leg stump line, Will Jacks picks it up nicely and clears mid on for a boundary.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Short and on top of off, Ryan Rickelton punches it to the right of long on for a single.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Good length, angling into the batter, tucked across into the leg side.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, ! Another beauty!

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Good length on off, shaping away. Rickelton pushes it straight to mid off.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, ! How is that for a start? First ball of the IPL for Rickelton and he gets off the mark with a boundary. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton flicks it through the gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary. Sheer timing on that one.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Khaleel Ahmed to Will Jacks, ! Jacks and Mumbai Indians are up and running!

Khaleel Ahmed to Will Jacks, Beats Jacks straight away! Gets the ball to zip away from the right-hander, on a good length, Jacks opts to keep it out with a straight bat but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Will Jacks comes in at number 3.

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, ! GONE! CAUGHT! Khaleel Ahmed produces the first breakthrough for CSK and is thrilled to bits.

Back to Chennai and we are all in readiness for the blockbuster clash to get underway. As expected, a sea of yellow engulfs Chepauk, with an odd sprinkling of blue here and there. The whistles are out in full force, adding to the electric atmosphere as the two umpires make their way to the middle. The decibel levels soar as Ruturaj Gaikwad leads his troops onto the field. Rohit Sharma has a new opening partner in the form of Ryan Rickelton. Khaleel Ahmed will open the attack for CSK. Rohit wi

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length on the stumps, Sharma gets a bit squared up and defends it straight.

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, JAFFA! 

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, On the money, starts Khaleel! Begins from over the stumps, with a slip in place. Hurls it on a fullish length, angling on the pads. Rohit Sharma misses to connect and wears it on his front pad.

Over in Hyderabad, last year’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, have started their campaign with a commanding victory. After SRH piled up a towering 286, thanks largely to Ishan Kishan’s brilliant century, it was always going to be a tall ask for Rajasthan Royals. They put up a spirited fight, managing 242 in response, but the target proved a mountain too steep to climb.

Rohit Sharma of the Mumbai Indians is in for a chat. Says that they have come close a few times to winning the first game of the season but haven't managed to get over the line in the past few years. Mentions that the end goal matters more to them and every individual has his goal set. Feels that is about staying in the present, focusing on the job at hand and playing according to the situation of the game.

Impact Players nominated by Chennai Super Kings - Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton and Shaik Rasheed.

The stand-in captain of Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar Yadav says that they were looking to bat first. Adds they have been in Chennai for two to three days, and says that they observed when there is wind, there was not much of a dew. Says both franchises have been playing an unbelievable brand of cricket and also in terms of achievements. He is hoping for this to be a good game of cricket. Concludes by informing that Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult are their four overs

The captain of Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad says that they will bowl first. Mentions that they are unsure how the pitch will behave, so they have opted to bowl first and aim to adapt quickly. Expects a good batting track and is pleased with the team's preparation. Tells that he is excited about being back in yellow and playing in front of the fans. Informs that Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran are the four overseas players for this game. Also says that they are

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed. 

Impact Players nominated by Mumbai Indians - Vignesh Puthur, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Karn Sharma.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Chennai Super Kings and Ruturaj Gaikwad elects to BOWL first.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Well then, are 155 enough? Irrespective of yes or no, MI have a fighting total on the board, on this slow Chennai pitch. However, the dew factor will play a pivotal role. Remember, Suryakumar Yadav, at the toss mentioned that when there is breeze, the dew doesn't come up much. It all depends on how MI capitalizes on the new ball. They do have two proper new-ball bowlers in Boult and Deepak Chahar, who can swing the ball either ways, and would look to pick quick wickets inside the first six. For

Khaleel Ahmed of CSK is in for a chat. He says that it felt good out in the middle and shares that swinging the ball is his strength. Mentions that he was pleased to bowl more in the Powerplay, where he thrives. Adds that there wasn’t much swing on offer. Credits the spinners for their efforts in the middle phase and expresses confidence in the batters to chase the target down.

When heavyweights collide, you expect both sides to trade equal punches. With spin barrage at full tilt, it was Noor Ahmad who turned on the screws on Mumbai Indians as he not only broke the 51-run stand between Tilak and Suryakumar, but also removed both the set batters in no time, eventually picking up a four-for, and his figures of 4-0-18-4 were the best for any CSK spinner against MI.

With MI slipping down to 87/3 to 118/7, and all the experienced batters in the dugout, and the score still distant from a challenging territory, a quick cameo by Deepak Chahar helped MI to muster up 37 runs in the last four overs. His invaluable cameo helped MI to go past the 150-run mark.

It was a SKY and Tilak alliance that gradually grew in confidence as they progressed at a decent rate. Gaikwad didn’t waste much time to introduce the spin triumvirate at full tilt and rotated his spinners nicely. It was a typical slow Chennai wicket, but Tilak Varma batted with positive intent as MI got into a decent position at the halfway stage. It was a balanced first half as CSK dominated the first six, but MI sneaked back in the next four overs, scoring 30 runs in that phase, without lo

Opting to bowl first, CSK got off to a positive start. Khaleel Ahmed, donning the yellows for the first ever time, provided those early breakthroughs for his side as he removed both MI openers in successive overs. It was a proper homecoming for Ashwin as he too, struck in his very first over by removing Will Jacks. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma came out with positive intent and found early boundaries, which pushed MI to 52/3 at the end of the Powerplay.

And all of a sudden, we are back to the conventional T20 game! For those wondering what does this mean, just cast your minds a few hours back. In the day game, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored these many runs in just 12 overs. Yes, you read it correctly. That's the difference a pitch can make. A late flourish from Deepak Chahar helped MI to post 155 on the board, and has provided a good total for the bowlers to fight for.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, ! Chahar finishes with a boundary and his quickfire 15-ball 28 has given MI a total to defend! Nathan Ellis goes into the wicket but the line is a bit down leg, Deepak Chahar waits on the back foot and gets inside the line. Helps the pull to the left of short fine leg for a boundary. Mumbai Indians finish with 155 on the board!

Well then, 10 from the last over so far. Can Chahar finish off positively?

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Wide not given and Chahar has taken the review! Ellis spots Chahar shuffle across and pushes it away from the batter, on a good length, Chahar swings but fails to connect. It turns out to be a good call from the umpire. 

Nathan Ellis to Satyanarayana Raju, Dug in short, on off, Raju swings to pull it away. Manages to connect and it goes towards deep square leg for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Back to over the wicket and pace on, on a length, around off, Chahar slices it to the left of extra cover and surprisingly, takes the single. 150 up for MI!

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, ! What a hit! Chahar is adding some crucial runs for MI! Nathan switches to around the wicket and bowls it on a back of a length. This sits up to be hit and Chahar stands tall and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Satyanarayana Raju is the last batter in for Mumbai Indians. Also, with Khaleel Ahmed finishing his spell, he has been subbed out and Rahul Tripathi has taken the field as the impact substitute for CSK.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, A slower one from Ellis at 110.1 kph, on off, on a length, Chahar swings for the hills but gets an inside edge past short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Khaleel Ahmed to Trent Boult, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Khaleel Ahmed ends his spell with a wicket!

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, Keeps it near the tramline on off, on a back of a length, Chahar is a bit early into the cut and mistimes the shot to deep cover for one.

Khaleel Ahmed to Trent Boult, Dug in short from over the wicket, on off, Boult backs away and slaps it to deep point for one.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, 1 run.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, ! All the way this time! Ahmed errs as he serves it right in the slot, on off, Deepak Chahar swings through the line and launches it into the sight screen for a six.

Khaleel Ahmed to Deepak Chahar, ! Good shot! Slanting across the right-hander from over the wicket, on off, Deepak gets under the ball and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Who walks in?

Is that out? MS Dhoni gestures height, but Nathan Ellis believes the ball is not that high enough. Convinces Gaikwad to review. CSK go up for a review for LBW, challenging the on-field decision. The third umpire says there is no need for the UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows three reds. !

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, ! LBW! Excellent review and Nathan Ellis has his first wicket for CSK!

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, Leg bye! On a short of a good length, pace taken off, Chahar hops and looks to pick it up on the leg side. He fails to connect and a leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the thigh pad to short fine leg.

Nathan Ellis to Deepak Chahar, 2 runs.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, At 129.9 kph, on a back of a length, on middle, Santner hangs back and punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Hurls it on a nagging length, on middle, Mitchell pats it back to Ellis.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Four!

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Floated up, full and on off, played back to the bowler by Deepak. Noor is done for the night. He ends with remarkable figures of 4-0-18-4. Harsha Bhogle informs on air that these are the best figures for a CSK spinner against MI.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Beaten! Serves the googly which spins away from the right-hander, on a nagging length, Chahar pokes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Noor Ahmad to Mitchell Santner, Drags the length back now, on off, Mitchell Santner pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Slips in the googly, full and around off, Chahar presses to defend. Gets it off the outer half to backward point for one.

Noor Ahmad to Deepak Chahar, Looped up, on off, Chahar drives this full ball to cover.

Deepak Chahar is in at number 9.

STRATEGIC BREAK. Mumbai Indians were cruising gently when Tilak and Suryakumar Yadav were at the crease, but it was Noor Ahmad who brought in those breakthroughs in the middle overs. Hence, Mumbai Indians slipped from 87/3 to 96/6. The problem for MI is, they don't have proper experienced batters left to come out and would want Santner and Naman to bat till the end. This certainly doesn't look like a very high scoring surface as it is a typical slow Chennai wicket, and anything in the territo

Noor Ahmad to Naman Dhir, ! CLEANED HIM UP! Noor Ahmad is on a roll tonight! Strikes right away after the break.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, Pace taken off by Ellis, on a good length, on middle, Naman waits on it and glances it to short fine leg for one more.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Honing in at the stumps, fuller in length, at 135.4 kph, Santner knocks it down the deck. Ellis sticks out his right boot to make the stop. The ball deflects off his shoe to his right for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Wide! A slower bumper attempted by Nathan but this goes beyond the wide guideline on off. Santner lets it be.

Nathan Ellis to Mitchell Santner, Serves it on a good length, on off, pushed to cover by Mitchell.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, There is that off-pace delivery from the back of the hand by Ellis, on a good length, on off, Naman drops it beside the pitch on the leg side for one.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, On a shortish length, at 129.2 kph, on off, Naman jabs it to the left of deep square leg for another brace.

Nathan Ellis to Naman Dhir, 2 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, A carrom ball, flat and straight on the stumps, Naman Dhir defends it off the outer half of the bat to the cover region for a run. Ashwin finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-31-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, ! A boundary after ages for MI!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mitchell Santner, Short of a good length, outside off, punched away to deep point for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, Length again, on middle and leg, tucked across to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Naman Dhir, Floated on a length around off, Naman Dhir works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mitchell Santner, Length ball, angling on off, from around the stumps, Mitchell Santner backs away and punches it through cover for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, On a length, flat and on middle and leg, Mitchell Santner works it across to the mid-wicket region for only a single. Quite a breathless over from Jadeja.

Ravindra Jadeja to Naman Dhir, Length ball, angling on middle, Naman backs away and drags it down to long on for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, Back of a length, sliding onto the pads, Santner steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Santner, No run.

Mitchell Santner walks in now.

Ravindra Jadeja to Naman Dhir, Short and outside off. Dhir cuts it away through the cover region for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, ! LBW! GONE! Noor has his third wicket and he has turned the screws on the Mumbai Indians! Noor drops a googly, and it is a fuller-length delivery, that turns back into the batter after pitching. Tilak Varma goes deep inside the crease to work it across into the leg side, but plays over the wrong line as the ball passes close to the inside edge. He gets rapped on the pads in front. A huge confident appeal for LBW and up goes the finger! Tilak Varma has s

Naman Dhir makes his way out to the centre.

Noor Ahmad to Naman Dhir, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, ! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Half of the Mumbai Indians side is back in the hut now as Noor Ahmad picks up his second wicket! Dishes out a fuller-length delivery, gives it a bit of air, and drops it just around off, Robin Minz strides forward clearing his front leg. Tries to clear long off, but does not quite get the bat under the ball and mistimes his shot in the air, off the bottom half of the bat. It airs straight into the safe hands of Ravindra Jadeja who tak

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Excellent work there in the deep by Ravindra Jadeja! Speared in fuller around off, Tilak Varma plays inside out over covers and the ball is cut off by Jadeja which restricts the batters to just a single.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, Pitched fuller on middle, Robin Minz smashes it straight to the bowler. Noor bends low to his left but the ball evades him and rolls in the deep. A single taken.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, Wide!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, A direct hit, but Tilak is safely in!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, Flatter and quicker on middle, on a fuller length, Tilak Varma backs away, exposes his stumps, and cuts it straight to cover.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Back of a length, at the pads, Robin Minz leans forward and flicks it along the ground to the mid-wicket area and gets a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Length, around off, punched off the back foot to cover.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, No run.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Minz, Flat and on a good length, Robin tries to work it into the leg side, but wears on the pads.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Flat and full, outside off, Tilak Varma carves it out to the deep point region for a couple of runs.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Wide!

Robin Minz walks out to bat. He comes from Jharkhand, the land of the man standing behind the stumps.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Robin Minz, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, ! STUMPED! Lightning-quick hands from the 43-year young wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni! Noor dishes out a googly, and lands around middle and off stumps, on a yard behind fuller length. Suryakumar Yadav clears his front leg, creates room for himself and shapes up to go inside out over covers, but misses as the ball takes a sharp bite off the surface and spins away. The ball beats the bat and MS Dhoni shows quick reflexes behind the stumps. Collects the ball cle

Lightning-quick work by MS Dhoni and Suryakumar Yadav is already walking. It has been referred upstairs for a stumping check.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Good length, on the stumps, tucked across into the leg side by Tilak. A single taken.

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, BYES! Beats everybody!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, On middle and leg, flat and short, Tilak eases it to long off for one more.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, 1 run.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, Keeps it flat and short, following the batter, Tilak whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for the fourth single of the over.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Out comes the carrom ball, on off, on a length, SKY goes for the sweep. Gets a top edge that spins towards deep backward square leg at Noor Ahmad. They cross.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, From around the wicket to the left-hander and bowled from well wide of the crease. On a nagging length, at the stumps, Tilak presses back and punches it to long on for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK. A proper tussle is brewing between these two sides. CSK found themselves a bit ahead in the first six overs, picking up three wickets, but MI have cruised back strongly with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma's partnership growing at a decent pace. Of course, this is not a surface where you will see streaks of sixes and fours, as this Chennai's pitch demands a bit more application from the batters. CSK, however, will be aiming to break this partnership that has added 40 runs off

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, on a length, on middle, driven down to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, A bit of grip this one, at 96.3 kph, on off, SKY checks his shot and knocks it to the left of the bowler for one more. 10 runs off the over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Short and on middle, nudged through square leg for a single by Tilak.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Strays on the pads, on a nagging length, Tilak swings to swipe it away on the leg side. Gets it off the toe end to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Fuller and going across, pushed to cover again.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, On the shorter side, Tilak backs away but Jadeja follows him. He can only play it to cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, Six!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Slanted across the right-hander again, SKY carves this full ball away to the left of deep point for another brace.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Floated up, on the pads, Suryakumar whips it to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

Halt!

Noor Ahmad to Tilak Varma, Slides onto the pads, Varma works this through square leg for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, In the air...but safe! Dishes out a googly does Noor, very full, around off, Suryakumar Yadav gets down nice and low for the sweep. Fails to control the shot and gets a top edge. Khaleel Ahmed comes in off the ropes at deep backward square leg but the ball lands well in front of him. They cross.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Starts with a delivery, well wide on off, SKY lets it be.

Noor Ahmad is introduced into the attack. He replaces Khaleel Ahmed.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, ! A massive misjudgement from Sam Curran and it goes all the way! Fired across, on off, Varma stays a bit low to go down the ground. Gets under the ball but fails to get the elevation. Hits it flat towards long off where Sam runs in and loses the ball in the lights. He was better off staying back at the ropes. Sees the ball sail over his head for a six.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tilak Varma, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, Darted in again from around the wicket, Yadav works this one off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Suryakumar Yadav, Speared in first up, very full, at the pads, Yadav misses the flick and wears it on the front pad.

So just one over for Ravichandran Ashwin then. Here's Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, Sharp delivery! Digs it in short at 140 kph, a good effort ball and this climbs onto the batter, Tilak swings for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, NO BALL! Sprayed well beyond the tramline on off but Khaleel has overstepped too. Free Hit coming up!

Khaleel Ahmed to Tilak Varma, Honing in at the stumps, at 137.3 kph, on a good length, Varma turns it to mid-wicket.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bends his back and bashes the hard length, over middle. The ball kicks up a bit but SKY adjusts well to dab it down in front of backward point for a single.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Effortlessly done! A bit too straight, on the pads, on a length, Suryakumar Yadav brings his wrists into play and picks it up and over square leg for a six. 50 up for MI.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Drags the length back slightly but keeps the stumps in play, Suryakumar knocks it with a straight bat to mid on.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, With a change of ends, Khaleel steams in from over the wicket and attacks the stumps, SKY drives this full ball straight to mid off.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, ! Innovative and effective! Ashwin pushes it through, fuller and just outside off, Tilak Varma switches his stance and reverse sweeps it between the short third and backward point region for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Tilak Varma, ! Tilak Varma gets off the mark in style! Fuller and tossed around off, Tilak Varma spreads across on the front foot and slashes it over cover and point for a boundary.

Tilak Varma walks in at number 5 with MI in a spot of bother.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Will Jacks, ! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin strikes in his very first over and a proper comeback in the yellows for the veteran!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, sliding on the pads, on a length, Yadav nudges it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Wonderful shot! Dishes out fuller and on off, Suryakumar Yadav picks it up inside out and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

The local boy Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Will Jacks, Tosses it up, at 92.6 kph, full and around off, Will Jacks hangs back and hits it to the right of the diving Ashwin for a single at long on.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Digs it in short and on the stumps, Suryakumar Yadav gets a bit of an inside edge onto the pads as he looks to block it off the back foot.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, ! The first boundary for Suryakumar! Hard length at the stumps, Suryakumar Yadav weighs on the back foot, and controls the pull shot, and hits it a bit uppishly through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nathan Ellis to Will Jacks, Keeps the length shorter, on middle, Will Jacks tucks it to the right of mid on and they cross for another quick single.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Short and on off, Suryakumar Yadav rises with the bounce and punches it to the left of mid off and steals a quick single.

Nathan Ellis to Suryakumar Yadav, Bustles and hurls on a back of a length, on top of middle, Suryakumar Yadav nudges it across to the deep mid-wicket region and hares back for the second run.

Nathan Ellis to Will Jacks, Nathan Ellis is into the attack now. Bowls on a length, on middle and leg, Will Jacks tucks it to the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Keeps bowling on the hard length, angling away from the batter, on off and middle, Suryakumar Yadav rises with the bounce and pats it to the cover region. A brilliant over by Khaleel. The wicket of Rickelton and just a boundary off it.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Hard length, going across off, on top of off, Suryakumar Yadav taps it out to the off side.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Length, on middle, blocked off the back foot.

The MI skipper, Suryakumar Yadav walks out to bat. Two slips in place for SKY.

Khaleel Ahmed to Suryakumar Yadav, Oh, almost the third!

Khaleel Ahmed to Ryan Rickelton, ! CHOPPED ON! Khaleel Ahmed gets another as he removes Ryan Rickelton! A brilliant start for Khaleel in the yellows! He hurls it outside off, shaping away with the angle, on a fuller length, Ryan Rickelton leans on the ball, extends his arms, and tries to crack the cover drive again, but this time, he ends up playing over the wrong line and a healthy inside edge is found. The ball crashes into the wickets. Ryan Rickelton departs for 13 (7) after a dece

Khaleel Ahmed to Ryan Rickelton, ! A streak of fours for Mumbai Indians! On a hard length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton hangs on the back foot and punches it through the cover gap for a cracking boundary. He is middling the ball with ease.

Sam Curran to Will Jacks, ! Up and over the in-field! Pitched slightly fuller and on the leg stump line, Will Jacks picks it up nicely and clears mid on for a boundary.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Short and on top of off, Ryan Rickelton punches it to the right of long on for a single.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Good length, angling into the batter, tucked across into the leg side.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, ! Another beauty!

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, Good length on off, shaping away. Rickelton pushes it straight to mid off.

Sam Curran to Ryan Rickelton, ! How is that for a start? First ball of the IPL for Rickelton and he gets off the mark with a boundary. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton flicks it through the gap between mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary. Sheer timing on that one.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Khaleel Ahmed to Will Jacks, ! Jacks and Mumbai Indians are up and running!

Khaleel Ahmed to Will Jacks, Beats Jacks straight away! Gets the ball to zip away from the right-hander, on a good length, Jacks opts to keep it out with a straight bat but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Will Jacks comes in at number 3.

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, ! GONE! CAUGHT! Khaleel Ahmed produces the first breakthrough for CSK and is thrilled to bits.

Back to Chennai and we are all in readiness for the blockbuster clash to get underway. As expected, a sea of yellow engulfs Chepauk, with an odd sprinkling of blue here and there. The whistles are out in full force, adding to the electric atmosphere as the two umpires make their way to the middle. The decibel levels soar as Ruturaj Gaikwad leads his troops onto the field. Rohit Sharma has a new opening partner in the form of Ryan Rickelton. Khaleel Ahmed will open the attack for CSK. Rohit wi

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, Back of a length on the stumps, Sharma gets a bit squared up and defends it straight.

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, JAFFA! 

Khaleel Ahmed to Rohit Sharma, On the money, starts Khaleel! Begins from over the stumps, with a slip in place. Hurls it on a fullish length, angling on the pads. Rohit Sharma misses to connect and wears it on his front pad.

Over in Hyderabad, last year’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, have started their campaign with a commanding victory. After SRH piled up a towering 286, thanks largely to Ishan Kishan’s brilliant century, it was always going to be a tall ask for Rajasthan Royals. They put up a spirited fight, managing 242 in response, but the target proved a mountain too steep to climb.

Rohit Sharma of the Mumbai Indians is in for a chat. Says that they have come close a few times to winning the first game of the season but haven't managed to get over the line in the past few years. Mentions that the end goal matters more to them and every individual has his goal set. Feels that is about staying in the present, focusing on the job at hand and playing according to the situation of the game.

Impact Players nominated by Chennai Super Kings - Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton and Shaik Rasheed.

The stand-in captain of Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar Yadav says that they were looking to bat first. Adds they have been in Chennai for two to three days, and says that they observed when there is wind, there was not much of a dew. Says both franchises have been playing an unbelievable brand of cricket and also in terms of achievements. He is hoping for this to be a good game of cricket. Concludes by informing that Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult are their four overs

The captain of Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad says that they will bowl first. Mentions that they are unsure how the pitch will behave, so they have opted to bowl first and aim to adapt quickly. Expects a good batting track and is pleased with the team's preparation. Tells that he is excited about being back in yellow and playing in front of the fans. Informs that Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran are the four overseas players for this game. Also says that they are

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed. 

Impact Players nominated by Mumbai Indians - Vignesh Puthur, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Karn Sharma.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Chennai Super Kings and Ruturaj Gaikwad elects to BOWL first.