IPL 2019 kicks off with low scoring encounter

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings crushed Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in the opening match of the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).

MS Dhoni’s men dismissed the visitors for just 70 runs in 17.1 overs and then wrapped up the game with 14 balls remaining.

Opener Parthiv Patel (29) was the only Bangalore batsman to reach double figures, while spinners Harbhajan Singh (3-20) and Imran Tahir (3-9) starred with the ball for Chennai.

The match also saw Chennai’s Suresh Raina become the first batsman to register 5,000 IPL runs.

In Sunday's games, Kolkata Knight Riders host Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Mumbai Indians take on Delhi Capitals.