IPL 2012: Mumbai Outclass Disappointing Chennai

IPL 2012: Mumbai Outclass Disappointing Chennai

Sachin Tendulkar retired hurt with a finger injury but his side went on to win comfortably

©REUTERS / Action Images

Mumbai Indians 115-2 (Levi 50) beat
Chennai Super Kings 112 (Raina 36) by eight wickets
Indian Premier League, Chennai
Scorecard

The opening game of the Indian Premier League 2012 produced something of a non-contest as the Mumbai Indians thumped reigning champions the Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets.

The home side were bowled out for 112 in 19.5 overs as only four players reached double figures and Richard Levi's 50 in 35 balls set Mumbai on the way to victory in just 16.5 overs.

Only Suresh Raina, whose 36 in 26 balls, included one majestic straight six, threatened to break free for Chennai, who delivered an underwhelming performance.

As if to set the tone for the innings, Francois du Plessis was run out for three in the first over to a direct hit from Ambati Rayudu and that fate would also befall Mahendra Singh Dhoni (4) and Ravi Ashwin (3).

Mumbai's catching and fielding was excellent and there was a brace of wickets apiece for Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha and Kieron Pollard.

Levi, fresh from hammering a 45-ball century in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand, promptly announced himself to the IPL scene with a similarly brutal innings.

He struck several crushing blows, including six fours and three sixes on his way to a half-century that put the game beyond Chennai.

Having torn into Chennai's newest recruit Ravindra Jadeja, he came undone when Dwayne Bravo induced him to loft a slower ball down the ground where he was caught by Doug Bollinger.

Rohit Sharma was then caught behind off Bollinger and the only sour note of a fine day for Mumbai occurred when Tendulkar was forced to retire hurt with a finger injury having made 16 in 15 balls, contributing one four and one six to the cause.

Rayudu (18 not out) and James Franklin (24 not out) guided the visitors to victory with an unbroken partnership worth 43 for the third wicket.

Rayudu won the game by skilfully guiding Bollinger over third man for a six.

© Cricket World 2012