The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League got off to an enthralling fashion, as defending champions Mumbai Indians took on the returning unit of the Chennai Super Kings.
Amidst an ocean of emotions with crowd favourites, Chennai Super Kings marking their return to the tournament, it was an entertaining batting display from the hosts at the Wankhede Stadium which stood out.
Electing to bowl first upon winning the toss, skipper MS Dhoni opted for a three-spin attack, as Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja did well in the middle overs. The men in yellow had the upper hand in the first half of the innings, as danger men Rohit Sharma and Ewin Lewis were sent back with low scores to their name.
The surprise package came in the form of the young Ishan Kishan, as India’s skipper of 2016 Under 19 World Cup played an enterprising knock of 40 off just 29 deliveries. He was well supported by Suryakumar Yadav, as his knock of 43 was critical too.
However, the flurry came in the end, as the Pandya brothers finished off in style to get Mumbai to 165 for four in 20 overs. Krunal Pandya played a priceless knock of 41 off just 21 deliveries, as his stand with younger brother Hardik was instrumental in getting Mumbai to a decent total.
Fans on Twitter reacted throughout the innings and below are some of the tweets.
*Knocks off dust*
*Puts on the captain’s hat*
*Clears his throat*
"We will have a bowl first!"
Ladies and Gentlemen, #CSKisBack and so is #ThalaDhoni as skipper! #MIvCSK#BESTvsBEST
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 7, 2018
"Dhoni gets roar wherever he goes. Even when CSK played Mumbai at Wankhede the biggest roar came for Mahi"
– Anil Kumble@ChennaiIPL @msdhoni #MIvCSK #CSK #Yellove #WhistlePodu— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) April 7, 2018
Much Awaited Moment. MS Dhoni Coming Back To TOSS After 3 Years And Winning It Like A BOSS. #MIvsCSK #MIvCSK #IPL2018 #IPL11 #Dhoni #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/R3xsuIhIhb
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 7, 2018
CSK going with three spinners. MI playing three proper fast bowlers. Both teams reading the conditions differently? Slightly surprised to see Tahir getting a game… #IPL #MIvCSK
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2018
Brothers of Destruction #KP & #HP is on the pitch so it's time for some Unorthodox but effective Cricket #CricketMeriJaan #MIvCSK
— Sanu Yadav (@ksyadauwanshi) April 7, 2018
Someone please break this Karan-Arjun 's jodi #IPL2018 #MIvCSK
— Mjölnir ? (@Kashyap_ocean) April 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/stevenelson45/status/982648380479254528
With Harbhajan playing for CSK ,Virat Kohli now remains the only player to have played for the same team(RCB) in all the 11 seasons in the IPL #IPL2018 #MIvCSK #RCB #ViratKohli
— Swapnil Shanbhag/ स्वप्निल शानभाग (@swapniltalks) April 7, 2018
Bhajji at the Wankhede bowling against Mumbai Indians. Who'd have thought?!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 7, 2018
dhoni stump mic to tahir will be fun! #MIvCSK
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 7, 2018
Wonder if Evin Lewis, so keen to play the IPL, was a bit over-awed. And there wasn't too much more than a bit of paint on the ball hitting the stumps.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
Did you see the great man @ImRo45 with @SORAI2018 on his bat this eve?
He’s as passionate as I am in saving our rhinos! pic.twitter.com/VZgtflaTkK
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) April 7, 2018
Surya Yadav and Ishan Kishan in a sterling partnership to pull Mumbai Indians out of the woods. Chennai could be chasing 175+ now! #IPL2018
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 7, 2018
Good start for #CSK in spite of that last over. Dhoni has got 6 overs out, got a couple of wickets and has overs left from his lead bowlers! When was the last time you saw 2 bowlers bowl 3 overs each!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
KRUNAL is the best Pandya. Period.
— z N e D (@MadMart05) April 7, 2018
A few surprises Chahar ,rayudu possibly opening the batting, Tahir in the line up, may be a little light on batting, but options plenty with ball ,and its already working #MIvCSK #IPL2018 #BESTvsBEST #BadriBytes
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 7, 2018
This is some innings from Krunal Pandya! Front foot and, especially, back foot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
hey little brother, watch and learn, that's how you do it #MIvCSK
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 7, 2018
Mumbaiiiiiiiii Mumbaiiiiiii @mipaltan #MIvCSK
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) April 7, 2018
