Mustafizur's brilliance propels Chennai Super Kings to victory

BANGLADESH's Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 4-29 to set up a six-wicket win for reigning champs Chennai Super Rulers in the IPL opener against Illustrious Challengers Bengaluru on Friday (22).

As Chennai held Bengaluru down to 173-6, their batsmen were upgraded in 18.4 overs at the M A Chidambaram Arena.

Shivam Dube, who hit 34, and individual left-hander Ravindra Jadeja, who made 25, put on an unbeaten stand of 66 to guide the group home.

The seventeenth version of the worthwhile association started with a stylish function, with exhibitions by Bollywood stars including India's Oscar-winning writer A R Rahman.

Luxurious moves, well known music and firecrackers gave way to the throw as Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis chose to bat.

Old warhorse M S Dhoni had stunned his fans just before the opener when he gave over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who said he got to know about the choice last week.

"I have consistently delighted in it," Gaikwad said of his captaincy debut in the IPL.

"Haven't felt the extra tension, right from the state side. Not so much as a solitary time I felt compressed by anything. Clearly had 'Mahi' (Dhoni's moniker) bhai with me."

Gaikwad's authority saw early difficulties when his opposite number Du Plessis crushed customary limits yet left-arm fast Mustafizur drove Chennai's fightback with his IPL-best take.

Mustafizur had Du Plessis gotten out for 35 and Bengaluru slipped from 41-0 to 42-3 in about seven balls when Australia's Glenn Maxwell was out for a first-ball duck off Deepak Chahar.

Mustafizur was named man of the match.
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