IPL 2019: Match 1, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Statistical Highlights

The 12th edition of the Indian Premier League got off to low start as the Royal Challengers Bangalore were thumped by the defending champions Chennai Super Kings. On a turning pitch at Chepauk, CSK bowlers were relentless against the RCB batsmen. Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir claimed three wickets each to bundle out RCB for 70 despite the opener Parthiv Patel batting through the innings. The home team batsmen also struggled as they needed 17.4 overs to chase the low score.

All the major stats and numbers recorded during the opening game of the 2019 IPL season:

Super Kings continue their Royal streak:

7 – This win is the 7th consecutive victory in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings over the Royal Challengers Bangalore since losing to them in Ranchi during the 2014 season. CSK also won each of their previous seven IPL games against RCB at Chepauk since losing in the inaugural 2008 edition.

An interesting start to a new season:

70/10 – RCB’s total of 70/10 is the lowest total by any team in the opening game of an IPL season. The previous lowest total in an IPL season opener was 82 also by RCB against KKR during the first ever IPL game in 2008.

3 – Harbhajan Singh claimed the first three wickets of RCB – Virat Kohli, Moeen Ali and AB de Villiers. This is the first time any player claimed the first three wickets in an IPL season. Chaminda Vaas bagged two wickets in the first over of 2010 IPL while Lasith Malinga and Ishant Sharma got the first two wickets of the 2014 and 2016 IPL editions respectively.

A new low against CSK:

70 – The total of 70/10 by the Royal Challengers is the lowest for any team in the IPL against the Super Kings. The previous lowest IPL total against CSK was 83 by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) during the 2013 edition in Delhi. This is also the lowest total for any team in a Twenty20 game at Chepauk.

Mr. IPL scales new milestone:

5004 – Suresh Raina became the first player in the history of the IPL to complete 5000 runs. He reached the milestone when he was on 15 in this game. Raina aggregated 4163 runs for CSK and 841 runs for Gujarat Lions in the IPL.

5005 – A run before becoming the first player to 5000 IPL runs, Raina completed 5000 runs in Twenty20 cricket for Chennai Super Kings. Raina has 5005 runs for CSK in the T20 format as he scored 4163 runs in the IPL and 842 in the Champions League T20.

A milestone game for Watson:

300 – This game between CSK and RCB is the 300th game in Shane Watson’s Twenty20 career. The all-rounder became the first player from Australia to feature in 300 Twenty20 matches.

Harbhajan continues his good record:

23 – Harbhajan Singh now has 23 wickets in the IPL against Royal Challengers by virtue of the three wickets in this game. These are the joint-most number of wickets for any player in the IPL against RCB as the current RCB bowling coach Ashish Nehra also had 23 wickets against them.

Spinners dominate on a turning track:

8 – Number of wickets bagged by the CSK spinners in this game; the joint-most by any team in an IPL game. The spinners of the Super Kings also claimed eight wickets during the 2012 IPL game in Vizag against the Deccan Chargers.

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