Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Dwayne Bravo scored a scintillating 68 off 30 balls to pull off a one-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening match of IPL 2018 on Saturday.

Chennai were 118-8 chasing 166 when Bravo opened his shoulders in the last three overs. He hit seven sixes during his knock and almost took his team home, getting out with seven needed for victory. There were some anxious moments in the final over but Kedar Jadhav too the team past the finish line.

Here we analyse Bravo’s breath-taking effort in Mumbai.

STATISTICS

RUNS: 68

BALLS FACED: 30

BOUNDARIES: 3

SIXES: 7

STRIKE RATE: 226.6

30-SECOND REPORT

It was a match Mumbai dominated for about 35 overs. At 118-8, Chennai were almost out of the equation. But tell that to Bravo. The West Indies all-rounder rolled back the years as he went after Mumbai’s premier fast bowlers Mitchell McClenaghan (1-44) and Jasprit Bumrah (1-37) to pull off one of the most remarkable T20 wins and cap a victorious comeback to the league for the Super Kings. Chennai fans have waited for two years to be a part of the IPL and Bravo’s performance was the prefect gift for them. Earlier bowled four over for 25. World-class effort.

GOT RIGHT

Are you counting? Bowled four overs for 25. Came in at No7 and when the team was 118-8 chasing 166 smashed 68 off 30 balls. Seven sixes against some of the best death overs bowlers takes courage and a lot skill. Even at 34, Bravo is going strong.

GOT WRONG

Got out with seven needed. Went for the glory shot against Bumrah after hitting him for three sixes. Kedar Jadhav struggled in the final over and had Jadhav not got those audacious boundaries, Bravo’s shot would’ve  hurt for a long time.

VERDICT: 9/10

One of the finest batting efforts you will see in T20 cricket. The game was gone with three overs remaining but Bravo used all his experience to show that in T20 it’s never over until it is over. Massive boost for the returning Super Kings.