The 15^th edition of the Indian Premier League is up and running and it has already produced some exciting cricket thus far. 10 teams are fighting for this year’s trophy and the teams have been divided into two groups. However, teams will play 14 matches in the group stages. All the games are scheduled to play in four different stadiums in Maharashtra with 25% spectators allowed.

Also, 4-time IPL winners and the defending champions Chennai Super Kings lost convincingly to last year’s runners up Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game. The star of the show was Umesh Yadav, who was at his best with the new ball for KKR and picked up both CSK openers in the powerplay which set the tone for the Knights.

5-time winners Mumbai Indians also tasted defeat against Delhi Capitals. Both the games were the repeat of the 2021 and 2020 IPL finals and the runners up for those year’s editions came up better. Mumbai haven’t won their opening IPL game since 2012 but it is a record they are not worried about. Much more tension is currently at the CSK camp which is not under the leadership of MS Dhoni anymore.

IPL 2022- What Matthew Hayden Said After The Game That CSK Loss To KKR?

Newly-made skipper Ravindra Jadeja had a tough start as captain against KKR as they were defeated by 6 wickets at Wankhede stadium. Former Australia and CSK cricketer Matthew Hayden said after the game that seeing this CSK team under Jadeja’s captaincy is making him a bit worried. Hayden thinks CSK looked very nervous in the game because of Jadeja’s captaincy.

“Even the nervousness they felt with Rav (Ravindra Jadeja) as captain it was so unlike CSK in many ways. Am getting a little nervous about CSK. They have got a new captain, a completely different outfit, some old heads there but there’s also a lot to prove. Also, there’s a lot to make up, especially after the opening night’s performance,” Hayden told Star Sports.

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“They have to get on a roll, that top-order. You saw Faf (Faf du Plessis) last year and Ruturaj Gaikwad last year, they have to replicate that somehow,” Hayden added.

“Robin (Uthappa) can not stop with cameo innings, he has got to be the man who will bat right through the innings for CSK. Some big changes are needed, some big ground to make up for. Some challenging times ahead, I sense. Jadeja, for me, as a captain, has to be a little braver when it comes to when to bowl. Sometimes, as a captain, and when you are a premier bowler, you tend to hold yourself back.

“There has to be someone there to tell him, you gotta bowl. You are good enough to get wickets. And I thought that they were over late. Instead of Shivam Dube in that over, it should’ve been experienced bowlers, Jadeja or Santner. “You know because when you are defending 130, it is one mistake that can cost you. You know one over of 14 or 15 runs, that can let the game slip over.”

What Was The Fate Of The Other Teams In The Sunday Games?

In the first game on Sunday, Delhi beat Mumbai at Brabourne stadium and it was a story of a comeback for Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm chinaman bowler looked at his best after a long time and picked up 3 crucial wickets when his team needed it most. Ishan Kishan’s brilliant 81 not out helped MI post 177/5 on the board but even after Delhi’s top order failed, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel chased the total down in style. Rohit Sharma said that the defeat was disappointing.

“We always come prepared, whether it is the first game or last game, we want to try and win every game. But we made some mistakes on the field which did not go according to plans. Those things can happen. We just need to keep it tight within the group. Disappointed, but it is not the end,” said Sharma.

In the third match, Royal Challengers Bangalore got defeated against Punjab Kings. Both the sides are under a new leader this year with many new faces in their squad. RCB skipper Faf du Plessis was at his brilliant best and scored 88 of just 57 balls even after having a very slow start. Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik also played vital innings at the end to help RCB post a massive total of 205/2. In the end, it was not enough as PBKS batters chased the total down with 5 wickets in hand. Faf is clearly feeling that he has a tough job in hand now as captain in a new franchise.