Mumbai Indians upset Chennai Super Kings in IPL opener

Cape Town, Apr 18 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar led from the front as Mumbai Indians launched their campaign in the second edition of the Indian Premier League with a stunning 19-run victory over last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings here today.

The Mumbai Indians first rattled up a competitive 166 for seven riding on Tendulkar's masterly unbeaten 59 and quickfire 35 by Abhishek Nayar and then stopped Chennai Super Kings at 146 for seven in a tight game at the Newlands stadium.

It was a commendable display by the Mumbai outfit who outplayed their fancied opponents in all departments of the game to gain two points and start their campaign in a resounding fashion.

Tendulkar played a pivotal role by anchoring the innings with a crafty unbeaten 59 but it was young Abhishek Nayar who provided the impetus late in the innings with a 14-ball 35 which took Mumbai to a decent total on what appeared to be a rather spongy track.

The experienced Sanath Jayasuriya was the other notable performer for Mumbai Indians with a 20-ball 26 while Shikar Dhawan chipped in with 22.

Chennai never really recovered from a disastrous start and although Matthew Hayden (44), captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36) and Andrew Flintoff (24) got decent scores it was not enough to overhaul the Mumbai target. PTI