Chennai: In a thrilling encounter at the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) showcased a commanding performance to secure a resounding 78-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The win was a significant turnaround for CSK, who had faced setbacks in their previous two matches.
Opting to bat first, CSK put up a formidable total of 212 runs for the loss of just three wickets. The innings were bolstered by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s scintillating knock of 98 runs off 54 balls, narrowly missing out on what would have been his second consecutive century. Daryl Mitchell found his rhythm, contributing a valuable 52 runs in 32 balls, while Shivam Dubey’s explosive unbeaten 39 off 20 balls further intensified the scoreboard pressure.
In contrast, SRH’s cautious approach with the bat backfired, as they succumbed to the pressure created by CSK’s bowlers. Tushar Deshpande, in particular, wreaked havoc with his fast bowling, claiming four wickets for a mere 27 runs in his three-over spell. This early onslaught left SRH reeling, and they were eventually bundled out for a paltry 134 runs in 18.5 overs.
The triumph propelled CSK to third place in the IPL standings, amassing 10 points alongside Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Despite also having 10 points, SRH found themselves in fourth place due to the outcome.
The chase for SRH started on a dismal note as they quickly lost key batsmen Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma for 13 and 15 runs, respectively. Deshpande continued his impressive form by dismissing Head, while Anmolpreet Singh fell for a duck. At the end of four overs, SRH’s score read a troubling 40 for three.
Efforts by Nitish Reddy and Aiden McCram to stabilize the innings were thwarted by CSK’s spin wizard, Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed Reddy’s wicket. Mathisha Pathirana joined the party by dismissing McCram, leaving SRH in a dire situation at 85 for five in 10.5 overs. From there on, SRH failed to recover, ultimately conceding the match to a dominant CSK side.
