The 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to an explosive start this month, as eight incredible teams bowled into the capital to battle in search for IPL glory.
The Kolkata Knight Riders cruised passed reigning champions Mumbai Indians in the opening game here in Abu Dhabi, with a comfortable 41 run win. Batsmen Jacques Kallis and Manish Pandey smashed fours and sixes to reach an impressive partnership of 131 runs of the teams’ 163 total.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) also took a comfortable win in their opening game in Sharjah, as they beat the Delhi Daredevils with eight wickets and 3.6 overs in hand. The RCB’s most expensive buy of the competition, Yuvraj Singh certainly lived up to his price tag, as his first innings in RCB colours saw him bat a notable 52 off 29 balls.
Kings XI Punjab made a big statement in their season opener in Abu Dhabi, by beating two-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings by six wickets. Big hitters Glenn Maxwell – who took the Man of the Match award – and David Miller of the Kings XI reached a sizeable 206 with seven balls to spare; even a barrage from Aussie bowler Mitchell Johnson couldn’t slow them down.
Match four of the competition saw a low-scoring thriller between the Rajastan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Royals beat the Sunrisers by a four-wicket margin while chasing a 134-run target. Both teams impressed over each inning, especially Stuart Binny’s 10-over innings contribution with the bat which proved valuable in what turned out to be a final-over finish.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium was home to Mumbai Indians’ second straight loss in the IPL. They lost to the RCB, who picked up their second win of the tournament and took the top spot in the league. Prolific bowling from Yuzvendra Chahal and Mitchell Starc, along with the 99-run partnership Parthiv Patel and AB de Villiers was too much for the Indians.
The Kings XI Punjab are nipping at the heals of the Indians after yet another gigantic score was set by Maxwell and Miller. The Rajasthan Royals couldn’t catch the 191 total, leaving them seven wickets behind with eight balls to go.
Matches will continue to play across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah until Wednesday 30th April.
