Mumbai Indians fail to win their opening match in IPL for 13th year in a row
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off with a thrilling encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. In a match that had all the makings of a classic, CSK managed to chase down Mumbai’s modest total of 155/9, winning the game by four wickets in 19.1 overs. This victory marked yet another opening match defeat for the Mumbai Indians, a streak that has now reached an astonishing 13 years.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, with MI opener Ishan Kishan getting off to a flying start with a 23-run over off the Chennai bowlers. However, the innings lost momentum soon after, with wickets falling at regular intervals. The MI batsmen struggled to rotate the strike, with the powerplay overs yielding only 43 runs.
The middle order failed to capitalize on the early starts, with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, and Tilak Varma all falling cheaply. Only Kishan, who top-scored with 41, and Dewald Brevis, who chipped in with 20, managed to put up some resistance. The total, though, was still a modest one, with MI finishing on 155/9.
In response, CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa set the tone for the chase with a 54-run partnership. Gaikwad, who has been in excellent form in recent times, played a patient innings, scoring 32 off 34 balls. Uthappa, on the other hand, was his usual aggressive self, hitting four boundaries and a six in his 23-ball 35.
The middle order, led by MS Dhoni, who scored an unbeaten 23, and Moeen Ali, who chipped in with 21, ensured that the momentum was maintained throughout the chase. The CSK bowlers, led by the experienced Shardul Thakur, who picked up three wickets, kept the pressure on the MI batsmen, but the target was always within reach.
In the end, it was Dhoni who sealed the win with a six off the bowling of Riley Meredith, leaving the Mumbai Indians to rue another opening match defeat. This loss marks the 13th consecutive time that the MI have failed to win their opening match in the IPL, a streak that shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
For CSK, this victory will be a much-needed boost to their confidence, especially after a disappointing previous season. The team will look to build on this momentum and make a strong push for the playoffs. For MI, on the other hand, this loss will serve as a wake-up call, and they will need to regroup quickly to turn their season around.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, fans will be eagerly waiting to see which teams will rise to the top and which ones will struggle to find their footing. For now, though, the Chennai Super Kings will be celebrating their opening match win, while the Mumbai Indians will be left to ponder their latest opening match defeat.
