IPL: Tournament openers across all seasons

2016 – MI vs RPS, Mumbai

RPS

were

one of the two new teams in the 2016 edition.

The 2016 edition of the IPL saw a big change. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were banned for two years and hence had to miss out. Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions filled in for the former two champions.

Rising Pune Supergiants took on Mumbai Indians in the opening game of the 9th edition. Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat first. But nothing went right for the defending champions as they were reduced to 30/4 in 5 overs. They then lost the big-hitting Kieron Pollard and Shreyas Gopal and were reeling at 51/6. MI somehow managed to get to a respectable total of 121 as Harbhajan scored a vital 30-ball 45 and Rayudu contributed with 22.

Chasing a total of 122, Ajinkya Rahane and Faf du Plessis shared a 78-run opening stand to kill the game. du Plessis scored 34 and was dismissed by Harbhajan. Rahane continued and stayed till the end as he saw RPS home with more than 5 overs to spare.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 121 for 8 (Harbhajan 45*, Marsh 2-21, Ishant 2/36) lost to Rising Pune Supergiants 126 for 1 (Rahane 66*, du Plessis 34, Harbhajan 1/24)