IPL 2019: Harbhajan Singh powers CSK to seven-wicket win over RCB

India's last International assignment was against Australia 10 days back, and the count down for this franchise-based T20 tournament started just then. Almost every cricket fan was waiting for MS Dhoni-Virat Kohli clash and with the likes of Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli involved in the game, almost every cricket pundit expected the game to be filled with boundaries. But was that the case? - Well, no. The first game was a show of bowlers and especially spinners. From Harbhajan Singh to Moeen Ali, every regular and part-time bowler bowled to his strength and posed problems for batsmen. On this occasion, Chennai Super Kings bowlers were a little better as the three-time IPL champions continued their domination of Royal Challengers Bangalore with a seven wicket win at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Saturday.

It was expected that the team batting second will not only have the dew factor to their side but also would be chasing a low score. Seeing this, Chennai Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni didn't hesitate and asked the opposition to have a bat first. 

Virat Kohli opened the inning with left-handed Parthiv Patel, but the swashbuckling skipper couldn't stay at the wicket for long, falling prey to veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh. Virat Kohli tried to play the ball over the mid-wicket fielder, but couldn't time the ball to perfection which eventually led RCB to lose their first. 

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Once Virat Kohli departed, RCB couldn't make their application right as they sent Moeen Ali, a left-hander to join another left-hander at the crease, making easier for MS Dhoni to make decisions. In a matter of time, Harbhajan sent Moeen Ali back, and AB de Villiers too. Suddenly the score looked 38/3. 

Shimron Hetmyer came next to the crease, who was making his debut in the IPL. Hetmyer was expected to play the anchor's role and play according to the situation. However, the pressure got over him as he ran himself out for a duck. Further, CSK bowlers dented RCB's lower middle-order and took next 7 wickets for just 32 runs. With this, RCB couldn't play their quota of 20 overs and got all out for mere 70 runs. 

In reply, Chennai too lost Shane Watson for a duck, making things interesting from a fan's point of view. Chasing a low total needed just one good partnership which Rayudu and Raina provided. In this while, Raina also became the first batsman in the history of the tournament to score 5000 IPL runs. 

RCB tried all their available resources but just couldn't snatch victory from CSK's platter. With this, the team registered their first victory of the tournament and doing what they are known to do - WIN games of cricket every time. The two captains also expressed their unhappiness from the pitch offered and MS Dhoni even went on saying that team will be needing at least 140-150 wicket if they wish to win more matches at home.

Two games will be played tomorrow with Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians playing Delhi Capitals. This will be interesting to see how these two game pan out. 

Brief Score:

RCB: 70/10 in 17.1 overs (Parthiv Patel 29; Imran Tahir 3/9)

CSK: 71/3 in 17.4 overs (Ambati Rayudu 28; Mohammad Siraj 1/5)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chennai Super Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7 wickets. 
• Suresh Raina becomes the first batsman to score 5000 IPL runs. 
• CSK has now won 7 consecutive games against RCB.