Shreyas started the series with a WIN!!!

In the blockbuster season opener, KKR avenged its revenge for the last season, by beating CSK by 6 wickets.

Both the sides were starting the new IPL season with good vibes. New captains, new players and new hopes were on both their plates but KKR was playing this game a little ahead.

Right from the beginning of the first half, it was KKR's show but the end of it was stolen by the soul of CSK, Dhoni.

Umesh might have inaugurated this season with the no-ball but from there KKR did not do anything wrong with the ball. Pace weakness of both the openers of team CSK was pointed out even earlier by critics and that could be witnessed even in this first match.

Gaikwad is known for his slow start and then accelerating the innings and that is true when it comes to tournaments too. He started the last season with the duck and ended it with an orange cap. That history repeated and he fell to the outswinger of Umesh Yadav. Umesh did not commit any mistake in removing Convay who was not comfortable right from the beginning. By removing the openers in the powerplay, KKR got an additional advantage and confidence. Powerless 35/2 in the powerplay dragged CSK a bit back.

Uthappa - Rayudu was doing a decent anchoring job after two quick wickets, but that did not last for a long time. If Uthappa was not brilliantly stumped by Sheldon and if Rayudu would not have sacrificed his wicket for a run-out, the fate of the game would be changed. Those two costly mistakes cost a game for CSK. When ten overs rolled on, CSK was still struggling hard with 57/4.

Things took a different dimension when Dhoni - Jadeja joined their hands together. One who is familiar with Dhoni - Varun rivalry may know how KKR had committed a big mistake of nearly finishing the overs of Varun, even before the arrival of Dhoni. The deadliest finisher had a very average start of 25 runs from 15 balls. He stayed patiently for his time and once spinners bid farewell, 'Thala' of CSK started his fireworks by splashing three boundaries in Russell's over. That moment brought back the classical Dhoni into fans' eyes. The last three overs brought out the monster inside him and in 38 balls, came his half-century, in 38 balls. Dhoni has hit a half-century after a couple of years and that showed how emotional is that for fans at this juncture.

CSK finished it as 131/5 and it may be looking to be poor in this pitch but vintage Dhoni had brought back the energy and motivation they were looking for.

Aiming at 132 in the batting paradise must be a cakewalk for any team even of a low standard. So everyone could guess the end of the one-sided game thereon, but even after that, fans of CSK were waiting for miracles. KKR is known for its musical chairs with openers and this time they had started with Rahane and Venkatesh. The one who was aware of the anchoring role of Rahane might expect him to do it with Venkatesh playing an attacking part on another side. Contrary to that Rahane was brilliant right from the beginning. He did not want to compromise. His sixer in Milne's last ball of the fourth over, says that all. Some quick runs from his side took them to 43, at the end of the power play.

CSK's bowling pace squad was looking to be very weak without Deepak Chahar and they paid the price for it. Milne and Tushar could not attack the batsman, right from ball 1 and KKR capitalized on that weakness. Shivam Dube who failed with the bat was not good with the ball too.

Only Bravo came as their saviour. He removed the well-settled batsmen, Venkatesh and Rana to keep the hopes of CSK alive but still, Rahane was living his dream in his home pitch by approaching a half-century. But Mitchell Santner sent him out for 44 and made it for CSK finally. Three wickets were not threatening as the required run rate rotate below six and with the skipper and Billings, KKR expected to finish it earlier with a few overs left but Bravo's one more wicket took it a little further.

CSK fought back but the bowlers could not make it for them and finally, KKR won by 6 wickets.

CSK was missing the services of Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar very badly and their presence could have made a big impact in the game for their side. Not the batting quantity but the batting quality of CSK was bothering and that could be spot on. Even the bowling department needs to be revived. CSK has enough time left out for the next match and they can work on it.

KKR was not outstanding. They too made some mistakes but CSK was not carrying anything to feel happy except Dhoni's knock and Bravo's spell.

Shreyas started the series with the winning count and Jadeja failed to do it in his debut captainship match but still one has to wait for a few more matches to see the difference.