CSK vs SRH- With mixed performances up to this point, Chennai Super Kings offered their initial comprehensive display, overwhelming Sunrisers Hyderabad by 78 runs.
When Aiden Markram met his match in Mathesha Pathirana’s yorker, the local DJ spun “Enga area ula varadha (Don’t step into our space). The Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad aren’t only based in Chennai. Their main offices are in MRC Nagar, very near to each other. A single road is all that separates their proprietors, who are neighbours.
This year, Hyderabad has definitely given other teams a run for their money. Their batters have managed to hit the 250-plus mark thrice in the IPL. A shaky Chennai defense, paired with dewy conditions, made 213 a reachable score for Hyderabad. However, for the second match in a row, their batters, mainly the top-tier, dropped the ball. Tushar Deshpande managed to oust Travis Head, Anmolpreet Singh, and Abhishek Sharma, all in his first two overs.
Hyderabad’s pursuit stumbled, ending in a dismal 134. The lowest for this season. Chennai’s bowling bounced back after initial struggles, gaining strength. Deshpande struck early, and Jadeja and Thakur kept costs down despite the dew-slicked field. Rahman and Pathriana contributed, too. Only Chahar failed to claim a wicket, while Deshpande secured four. The loss confirms Sunrisers’ ongoing defeat to the Super Kings at Chepauk.
Chennai Start Slow
Chennai was in their eighth over Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell were batting, managing eight runs per over. However, the crowd grew restless. Mitchell managed to snag another single run against Shahbaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, in Chennai’s dug-out, physiotherapists Tommy Simsek and Rajvardhan Hangargekar were immersed in a game of hand cricket, signalling a six. Despite this season witnessing numerous record-breaking sixes, Chennai hadn’t yet managed to hit one over the boundary in their initial eight overs.
Chennai’s performance this season could be seen in those eight overs. They have strong batsmen, but they haven’t shown their full potential. Mitchell was having a tough time, seeming to overdo it. Gaikwad was landing runs at a rate of 176, but it was not adequate due to the morning dew impact. Earlier in Chepauk, even with 210 runs, Chennai was beat by Lucknow Super Giants. Losing again here on Sunday would’ve deeply affected their chances for the playoffs.
Mitchell Dazzles
When trouble struck, Mitchell stepped up, sparking the much-needed energy. In the ninth over, he boldly greeted Pat Cummins with a powerful six beyond long-off – his first delivery. Gaikwad wrapped up the over by fearlessly driving another confident six over mid-wicket. It was Chennai’s first display of determination, and it set the ball rolling from there.
In a calm and focused manner, Gaikwad executed his expertise – finding openings and making thoughtful moves. Mitchell, being the perfect pick for Chennai at Rs 14 crore, aced his role well. His towering physique and reach allow him to disrupt the bowlers’ intended throw, just as he did to Ahmed. He skillfully shifted position and drove Ahmed’s left-arm spin straight over him. Then, against Cummins, he cleverly changed tactics. Initially setting up for a scoop, he instead opted for a reverse-flick, earning a boundary in the third-man region. He achieved his first IPL fifty in only 29 balls.
Gaikwad, the superstar
Mitchell was a bold player, whereas Gaikwad was the embodiment of grace and stability. Unadkat set a tricky pace with his cutters, but Gaikwad had a counter, slashing him over the off-side and taking him over fine-leg. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s harmless short ball didn’t escape either; Gaikwad sent it flying over square-leg. With about 80 runs to his name and five overs remaining, it seemed like Gaikwad would hit another century.
He hit two more boundaries on either side of the square in Cummins’ third over, bringing his run count to 89 off 46. Yet, from that point, hitting boundaries proved tough, and he tragically missed the century by just two runs
Shivam Dube continued to play well. In the 17th over, he hit T Natarajan for two sixes, adeptly transforming yorkers into low full-tosses from his deep crease position. He repeated this with Cummins, securing a boundary right after hitting a six over long-on. Even in such situations, Unadkat managed to bowl an over devoid of boundaries in the 19th, surrendering only eight runs. In the concluding over, a four from MS Dhoni, coupled with another powerful hit from Dube, propelled them to a score of 212/3.
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Brief Scores CSK vs SRH : Chennai Super Kings scored 212/3 in 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad made a smashing 98, Daryl Mitchell scored 52, and Shivam Dube remained unbeaten with 39. They triumphed over Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were all out for 134 in 18.5 overs. Aiden Markram contributed 32 runs. Tushar Deshpande stood out with four wickets for 27 runs. The margin was a hefty 78 runs.