Event of the Day: Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings
Our event of the day is the 1st match of the new Indian Premier League season between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The 11th edition of the most-attended professional Twenty20 cricket league, established in 2007 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will reach its conclusion on May 27th when the final in Mumbai will decide the new champion. The Mumbai Indians defend the trophy they won last year in a victory by just one run over the Rising Pune Supergiant. This was their third IPL title, after 2013 and 2015 triumphs, which makes them the most successful team so far in the tournament. The Super Kings, along with the Rajasthan Royals, return to the league, following a two-year suspension for the involvement of their owners in the 2013 IPL betting case.
The Chennai based team won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and have had four runner-up finishes on top of that. The Mumbai Indians were the best side after the league stage last year as well, but they tend to start the season slow, as they have lost opening matches in five previous seasons – something they will desperately try to rectify today. Captain Rohit Sharma will be in the centre of the Indians’ batting plans, while Suresh Raina will be the key man for the Super Kings. Mumbai have won the last three clashes with Chennai – all played in 2015. The IPL 11 season will be the first to use the Umpire Decision Review System. We can expect a great season opener at the Wankhede Stadium.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Premier League derby between Meanchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The Citizens can secure the title with a home win over their fiercest rivals, as they would have 19 points more than second-placed United with six rounds to go. There’s also a Liverpool derby in the Premier League today, as Everton take on Liverpool at Goodison Park. In Formula 1, qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit. It’s Day 3 of the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. There are decisive NBA matches in the Western Conference as the Los Angeles Clippers face the Denver Nuggets at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles; while the San Antonio Spurs host the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. It’s Day 5 of the WTA Volvo Car Open at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston. The 21st Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Queensland continue. It’s the second day of the Men’s Tournament at the World Rugby Seven Series at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong. In the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche meet the St. Louis Blues at the Pepsi Center in Denver in a direct clash for the last Western Conference playoff spot.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by IPL T20