CSK stroll past lowly RCB

Chennai Super Kings thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in Chennai last night. Chennai's publicity teams like to call MA Chidambram the “lion's den”, but no one advertised the minefield that awaited the season opener for this IPL. 

The Super Kings spinners took eight wickets as Royal Challengers were bowled out for 70, the sixth-lowest score in IPL. Harbhajan Singh took out the cream of Royal Challengers' batting: Virat Kohli, Moeen Ali and de Villiers. Only for the third time in the IPL, the first eight overs were bowled out by just two bowlers. Chahar kept it tight and Harbhajan did the damage with 4-0-20-3.

Royal Challengers opened with Yuzvendra Chahal, who sent Shane Watson back for a duck. Ambati Rayudu, though, batted smartly, picking his targets - often pace - and did enough to see his side through.

SCORES IN BRIEF

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: 70 all out in 17.1 overs (Parthiv 29; Tahir 3-9, Harbhajan 3-20, Jadeja 2-15)

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: 71 for 3 in 17.4 overs (Rayudu 28, Raina 19, Kedar 13 not out)

Result: Chennai won by 7 wickets

Player of the match: Harbhajan Singh