IPL 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad's 88 and bowlers power CSK to 20-run win over Mumbai Indians - In Pics

Chennai Super Kings rode on a strong show by the bowlers to hand a 20-run defeat to defending champions Mumbai Indians in the first match of UAE leg of IPL 2021.

Mumbai's chase started on a good note with Quinton de Kock collecting two boundaries off Josh Hazlewood in the second over. Though Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped him on six, de Kock couldn't make most of the reprieve, trapped in front of stumps by a Deepak Chahar incoming delivery.

Hazlewood came in for more thrashing as debutant Anmolpreet Singh carted him for three stylish boundaries in the next over. But Singh's promising stay at the crease was brought to an end by a knuckleball from Chahar ratting his off-stump.

Kieron Pollard and Saurabh Tiwary thumped some boundaries in their 29-run partnership. But Hazlewood struck Pollard past the flick on the back pad with a sharp inswinger that stayed low. In the next over, Krunal Pandya went for a non-existent single and tried to come back with a desperate dive but fell short of crease.

Electing to bat first, Chennai got an early jolt with Trent Boult taking out Faf du Plessis for a three-ball duck, slashing straight to Adam Milne at short third man. In the next over, it was Milne's turn to take a wicket, taking out Moeen Ali for a three-ball duck, hitting straight to short cover.

Gaikwad opened up in the middle overs with an eye-catchy loft followed by a reverse sweep while Jadeja made use of width to cut past third man. Gaikwad, dropped at 19, reached his sixth half-century in IPL with a pull through mid-wicket off Pollard before slamming him flat over long-on. Jasprit Bumrah, playing his 100th IPL match, ended the partnership with an off-cutter which Jadeja (26) sliced to Pollard at long-off.

Bravo's lofted drive over extra cover off Milne began late fireworks for Chennai. Boult's last over was smashed for 24 runs with Gaikwad hitting a four and six while Bravo smacked two sixes on both sides of the wicket. Though Bumrah brought an end to Bravo's cameo, Gaikwad's cover drive followed by a slog sweep over backward square leg on the final ball ensured Chennai ended their innings on a high.