IPL Roundup: CSK makes a smashing comeback all thanks to Dwayne Bravo

Mumbai: Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings established themselves as leading contenders for this season’s Twenty20 tournament, after returning to the IPL cricket league following a two-year ban.
Chennai Super Kings beat fellow favourites Mumbai Indians with just one wicket and one ball to spare in the IPL’s showpiece opener on Saturday evening.
After Mumbai made 165/4 at the Wankhede Stadium – their home ground, and the site of both the Indian cricket team’s 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s last ever game – Chennai knew they had to establish themselves quickly.
Openers Shane Watson (16) and Ambati Rayudu (22) both fell quickly, with Suresh Raina (4) quickly rejoining them in the pavilion. Even captain MS Dhoni – who has gained a cult following among cricket fans – was unable to turn the tide, as Hardik Pandya and Mayank Markande both plundered three wickets each.
Until, that is, Dwayne Bravo stepped onto the pitch.
The swashbuckling West Indian almost single-handedly turned the tide of the game, smashing a quickfire 68 from just 30 deliveries in an explosive display that included three fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of a whopping 226.66. Although he was dismissed by Jaspreet Bumrah, the damage had been done, as Bravo, with good support from Kedar Jadhav, steered CSK back on track to snatch what would’ve been a memorable opening day victory from Mumbai.
Elsewhere, passions were further ignited when Kings XI Punjab took on Delhi Daredevils on Sunday in a fiercely contested northern derby, Kings XI winning that game with seven balls to spare.
Although veteran Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir’s 55 saw Delhi post a healthy total of 166/7 from their 20 overs, competent performances from Kings XI opener KL Rahul (51) and top order batsman Karun Nair (50) ensured they kept things ticking over nicely.
Kolkata Knight Riders also got off to a winning start with a similar margin of victory on Sunday. After Royal Challengers Bangalore made an impressive 176/7, courtesy New Zealander Brendan McCullum’s 43 and South African AB DeVilliers’ 44. Kolkata ensured they began their response on the front foot, with West Indian Sunil Narine hammering a half century in just 19 balls.
Dinesh Karthik chipped in with a valuable 35, as Nitish Rana added another 34 runs to see Kolkata pip their southern rivals to a first win.