Twitter Reactions: Bowling-heavy Chennai Super Kings restrict MI to 165 in season opener

The much awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 finally got underway with a marquee clash marking the season commencement. After a glitzy and glamorous opening ceremony, some exciting brand of cricket was on display between the two iconic sides – Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. The rivalry between the two sides has been a historic one in the tournament.

They have always been evenly matched sides on the field and as the things stand at the half way stage this time around in the season opener, both sides have an equal chance of winning the game. The bowling-heavy Chennai Super Kings have managed to restrict the Mumbai Indians to 165/4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Considering the fact that it will be tough bowling second, the visitors would fancy their chances in the run chase.

Earlier in the game, the returning side Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to field first. MS Dhoni was clear about his plans of chasing on the Wankhede track. He made a few surprising picks though. There was no place for Karn Sharma and Murali Vijay in the playing eleven. Mark Wood made his IPL debut and Imran Tahir made his first appearance for the Super Kings.

In any case, the move to bowl first worked very well for them with the new ball bowlers of CSK – Deepak Chahar and Shane Watson getting some serious purchase. They dismissed the Mumbai Indians openers cheaply to have the hosts reeling at 20/2 in 3.5 overs. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav then joined hands to rebuild the innings. They took their time to settle in and batted with a run rate of less than 7 until the half way stage in the innings.

They added 78 runs for the third wicket before Shane Watson dismissed Yadav on 43 (29) in the 13th over. Ishan Kishan also played well for his 29-ball 40 before becoming Tahir’s victim in the game. It was down to the Pandya brothers to provide the final flourish to the team in the innings. Hardik found it tough to get his unbeaten 22 (20) but Krunal was magnificent with his quick unbeaten 41 off just 22 deliveries with 5 fours and 2 sixes to his name.

Their efforts helped MI get 165/4 in 20 overs. A bad news broke out for them though on the last ball of the innings with Hardik falling awkwardly on his ankle.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Mumbai Indians innings:

CSK @ChennaiIPL has lost control to the Pandyas! #MIvCSK #IPL2018

— Pradeep Kumar (@pradeepkumarTOI) April 7, 2018

Pandya Brothers ??#MIvCSK

— azzy. (@azryhassim) April 7, 2018

Milestone alert!

Paltan, let's give it up for Krunal Pandya – 500 IPL runs and counting! He is playing a crucial knock here for us tonight!#CricketMeriJaan #MIvCSK #MI pic.twitter.com/64iZrhy5zl

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 7, 2018

India has tried everyone for the all rounder slot in the last year. Why Krunal Pandya hasn't got a game for India yet is beyond me.

— cricBC (@cricBC) April 7, 2018

Everything coming from the middle of the bat off Krunal Pandya is racing over the fence. Hardik Pandya might want to swap his bat from Krunal Pandya. #MIvCSK

— Rahul Sharma ? (@CricFreakRD) April 7, 2018

Krunal meanwhile showing why he shouldn't be too far from an Indian team call up in near future! #MIvCSK

— Saurav Jha (@iamsauravjha) April 7, 2018

Hardik playing wild slogs while Krunal striking it clean #MIvCSK

— Vinodh (@BoredCricketFan) April 7, 2018

It's surprising that @krunalpandya24 is still an uncapped player #IPL #MIvCSK @sanjaymanjrekar @cricketaakash @StarSportsIndia #IpLFantasyLeague

— Ankit Shah (@ankitshah1091) April 7, 2018

Things krunal pandya can do better than hardik

Batting
Bowling
Fielding

Things hardik pandya can do better than krunal pandya

Haircut
Tatoos
Silly run-outs#IPL2018 #MIvCSK

— cricket freak (@cricloverakku) April 7, 2018

Wood will have to find more variety of he is to play a big role for CSK. Too predictable today. Taken to the cleaners. #MIvCSK

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) April 7, 2018

Mark Wood Sporting a wrong Jersey actually he is the 12th Mumbai player!#MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/8Q4xhIOivQ

— IPL Trolls (@trolls_ipl) April 7, 2018

Hardik hatao krunal lao
???????
Pollard aana chahiye tha!!!#MIvCSK

— Shivani Chaudhary (@_Shivani_C) April 7, 2018

Welcome to the IPL Woody..(4 overs for 49.) probably prefers 18 overs on a damp seamer in Chester le Street…#ipl

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) April 7, 2018

Scored ? at Wankhede just a couple of weeks ago. H Singh just one of those feeling the wrath of Kishan’s bat. Both players Yadav/Kishan looking pretty confident In game 1 @mipaltan @IPL #MIvCSK

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 7, 2018

The reason behind me backing @surya_14kumar is his recent track record in #mumbaipremiereleague/ local games and as a captain he led his team to victory in the championship at the very same venue. Let’s not take the credit away from in form #ishankishan. #MIvCSK

— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 7, 2018

Good to see some swing at the start of #ipl2018 wickets in hand going to be key for Mumbai Indians to put up a good score

— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) April 7, 2018

Krunal Pandya is worth every penny for Mumbai Indians. #MIvCSK #CSKvsMI #IPL2018 #IPL11

— Nikhil Anand (@nikhiltwit) April 7, 2018

Did you see the great man @ImRo45 with @SORAI2018 on his bat this eve?

He’s as passionate as I am in saving our rhinos! pic.twitter.com/VZgtflaTkK

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) April 7, 2018

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