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Indian Premier League (IPL) Trophy
South Africa Faf du Plessis took three sacks and hit a half century of rapid fire to guide Super Kings of Chennai to victory like the virus struck Indian Premier League started in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
The cash-rich league is played outside of India due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organizers did their best to replicate the raucous atmosphere with recorded crowd noise and cheerleaders on video screens.
Chennai, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who retired from international cricket last month, edged out the defending champions Mumbai Indians to win for five wickets in Abu Dhabi.
Du Plessis made an unbeaten 58 and set up a key grandstand in the third wicket of 115 with Ambati Rayudu, who hit 71, to help Chennai chase a goal of 163 in 19.2 overs and celebrate in the empty stadium.
“It was completely different from what we are used to, a lot of people cheer us on in the stadium,” Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said after the loss.
“But we knew there would be no one in the stadium. I think IPL did a great job making sure there was some noise, which was good. But this is the new normal for us for a while.”
Dhoni’s bulging biceps also attracted a lot of attention when the former India captain stepped out to lead Chennai more than a year after he last played for India in their semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup.
“You had the freedom during the confinement to dedicate some time to yourself,” Dhoni said after winning the draw and choosing to play first.
“I couldn’t do a lot of physical exercise and all that, but yeah, being home for four or five months the best thing was going to the gym, trying to do everything possible and maybe looking fit.
Fitness appeared to have affected his teammates with Du Plessis taking three receptions in the outfield, including two stunners to help Mumbai score 162 of nine.
England’s Sam Curran broke 18 of six balls after Dhoni sent him the order for seven and was undefeated with Du Plessis hitting the winning runs.
“To be honest, I was really surprised that I walked in, but he’s a genius and obviously he thought something,” Curran said of his captain.
“But a great win at the end and a great start. It was a six-or-away mentality, so that’s how you have to play this game: go out there and take a chance and if it comes out, it comes out and if not.
