IPL 2020 began with a bang of Chennai Super Kings defeating Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining in the opening match. MI scored 162/9 in the first innings. The power play start was a fly off for Rohit Sharma (12) and Quinton De Kock (33) before Piyush Chawla got the first wicket in 5th over. The ball was then given to Sam Curran who got CSK two quick wickets. From MI’s side, Suryakumar Yadav (17) and Saurabh Tiwary (42) were the ones to grab on a few runs for the team and build a steady partnership. But, this soon came to an end when Faf Du Plesis took two brilliant boundary catches to show path of pavilion to Tiwary and Hardik Pandya (14). It was loose start for Lungi Ngidi who later went to claim 3 wickets in total of 4overs for 38 runs.

In the second innings, Mumbai looked high spirited as Chennai Super Kings lost its both openers in the first two overs. Shane Watson (4) and Murali Vijay (1) went off early giving way to Ambati Rayudu (71) and Faf Du Plessis (58*) on the pitch. Faf and Rayudu then built a big partnership to take CSK close to the target. CSK then clenched their first win with the cameos of Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to send Sam Curran was a shocker for both the viewers and Curran himself. Curran’s 18 on 6 balls was a treat to cricket lovers and CSK as he proved his potential and Dhoni yet again proved his experience and decision expertise.

On the same, Curran called MS Dhoni a “genius”. He said,“To be honest, very surprised I went in at number six but he’s (MS Dhoni) a genius, he obviously thought something. Great win in the end. I think the left-right combination was his plan. The 18th over from Krunal Pandya was the over we wanted to target – a six or out approach mentality. Take the risk, and if it comes off it comes off if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.” Sam Curran also talked about his experience in coming to UAE and getting on to field within 36 hours without getting to talk much with the teammates. He said in the post-match presentation, “I was actually really excited when I was coming to the Chennai team. Haven’t met a lot of guys, straight on the bus, haven’t had much to think, landed two days ago from the England-Australia series and straight out there to do what I do.”Sam Curran’s outstanding performance has shown the potential in CSK team and their experience-expertise combination.

IPL 2020 began on September 19, 2020, with all the excitement but for the first time with the absence of team supporters in stadiums and all the glam-glitz. This IPL season started differently with no opening ceremony and no cheerleaders. The biosecurity protocols and other COVID-19 precautions have changed the tournament-style in and out but the power pack performances and nail-biting competition are still the same to keep the spirit of cricket alive in upcoming matches of Dream 11 IPL 2020.

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