IPL 2024: Chennai beat Bengaluru by six wickets in opening match of season

New captain Ruturaj Gaikwad led his Chennai Super Kings team to a six-wicket victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League's opening game on Friday.

Gaikwad was handed the captaincy of the defending IPL champions on Thursday by outgoing skipper MS Dhoni, who had led them to last year's title.

Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis won the toss at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and elected to bat first as they posted a total of 173-6 off their 20 overs.

The South African, alongside fellow opener Virat Kohli, got the visitors of to a strong start as he hit two boundaries off Tushar Deshpande's first over.

In the third over, Du Plessis hit four fours off Deepak Chahar in an over that cost the hosts 17 runs.

But he perished after making 35 off 23 balls when he was caught top edging to Rachin Ravindra off the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman.

The Bangladeshi quick struck again soon afterwards, removing Rajat Patidar, who edged to wicketkeeper Dhoni for a three-ball duck.

Chahar then removed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell as the Australian nicked a length ball to the keeper.

But Kohli dug in to make 21 off 20 deliveries before also falling to Mustafizur, again caught by Kiwi all-rounder Ravindra.

Mustafizur then struck again in the same over as he bowled Cameron Green, for 18 off 22, with a slower ball.

Dinesh Karthik (38 not out) and Anuj Rawat, who was run out for 48 after a smart piece of work from keeper Dhoni, managed to steer Bengaluru to a reasonably competitive total of 173.

Mustafizur finished with figures of 4-29.

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