The Chennai Super Kings may have had earned the ‘Dad’s Team’ tag, the players know how to shut the critics down with their on-field antics. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 opener at Chepauk on Saturday witnessed it once again when veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh caused havoc and ripped apart the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) top order within no time.
It was no less than a gamble played by Chennai skipper MS Dhoni who counted upon the experience of the 38-year-old who hadn’t played any cricket for nine months until February. Harbhajan grabbed the opportunity with both hands and showcased his penchant for turning things around in the powerplay.
He began the show with removing Virat Kohli in the fourth over of the match when his off-break dropped short and Kohli's mistimed pull-shot was taken by Jadeja at mid-wicket boundary. His next prey was Moeen Ali who tried to check his drive and loopy return catch was gleefully accepted.
Big shot AB de Villiers (9) wanted to hit out of trouble and was first dropped by Imran Tahir and off the very next ball was caught by Jadeja at mid-wicket boundary.
Once Harbhajan had wreaked havoc, Imran Tahir (3/9 in 3 overs) tormented RCB even more with his traditional leg-breaks to kill the contest in the first half. With so much assistance for spinners, Ravindra Jadeja wasn't going to be left behind, finishing with 2/15 in 4 overs.