Cape Town, April 18.

Sachin Tendulkar hit an unbeaten half-century as he led the Mumbai Indians to a 19-run win against the Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the Indian Premier League at Newlands on Saturday.

Tendulkar's unbeaten 59 off 49 balls enabled Mumbai reach 165 for seven in 20 overs overcoming a difficult period to start with at the Newlands Stadium. Then Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga (3-15), Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (1-15) and Dwayne Bravo (1-27) of the West Indies restricted Chennai Super Kings to 146 for seven.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to bowl under overcast conditions after a delayed start appeared spot on as Tendulkar and his opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya (26) lived dangerously in an unconvincing start.

Jayasuriya played and missed but a few of his edges flew off to the boundaries as Tendulkar at the other end readied himself to anchor the innings. Jayasuriya also survived a run out attempt before he pushed Thilan Tushara to Mathew Hayden at mid-wicket to end the 39-run opening stand.

The ball was not coming to the bat easily but Tendulkar placed his innings well while Shikhar Dhawan struggled to get his 22.

Tendulkar was lucky to get a life when he was dropped on 10 by Matthew Hayden at first slip off IPL debutant Andrew Flintoff.
 
Former Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden hit 44 and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni 36 for Chennai but the 2008 runners-up could only manage 146 for seven.

Most expensive

Batting conditions were tricky and Mumbai were struggling at 102 for four in the 15th over before the left-handed Abhishek Nayar lashed 35 off 14 balls in a fifth wicket stand of 46 with Tendulkar. Nayar slammed three sixes in an over from Andrew Flintoff which cost 22 runs. Flintoff, who is on a $1.55m a season contract, was the most expensive Chennai bowler, conceding 44 runs in four overs.

Flintoff made 24 in Chennai's reply as he helped Hayden put on 52 for the third wicket. He hit two fours and a six off 22 balls before he heaved a ball from Harbhajan Singh high in the air for the off-spinner to take a catch off his own bowling.

Hayden hit his 44 off 35 balls before Zaheer Khan took a stinging catch in the cover off a fierce drive against Jayasuriya's left-arm spin. Dhoni hit 36 off 26 balls before being bowled