During the 20th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 4 runs in a nail-biter.
After Kane Williamson put Chennai Super Kings in to bat, the visitors scored 182-3 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. It was a 112-run partnership which aided the Super Kings to score a substantial total.
At one point in time, the chances of Sunrisers chasing the total appeared highly bleak as the home team had lost three wickets inside the powerplay. Not that they ended up winning the match, but certainly gave a fierce fight to Chennai as the match went down to the wire. Dwayne Bravo successfully defended 19 runs in the last over as the Sunrisers scored 178-6 in 20 overs
Now, we will look at the hits and flops players in this match.
Hits
Ambati Rayudu (CSK) – Demoted to bat down the order at No. 4, Ambati Rayudu did not let the change in batting position affect his form as he ended up scoring his 15th IPL half-century. Coming in to bat in the eighth over, Rayudu did not waste much time and played his shots without much discomfort. Adjourned the ‘Man of the Match’, he ended up scoring 79 (34) with the help of nine fours and four sixes.
Deepak Chahar (CSK) – Opening the bowling for Chennai Super Kings, Deepak Chahar stuck to his basics in the best possible way. Not trying too much, Chahar was able to not just beat but dismiss the opposition batsmen with his swing. He registered bowling figures of 4-1-15-3.
Kane Williamson (SRH) – Kane Williamson was in a class of his own. Coming in open the innings alongside Ricky Bhui, Williamson played an archetype captain’s innings. He put life in on otherwise lacklustre chase, scoring his sixth IPL half-century, 84 (51), with the help of five fours and five sixes.
Flops
Rashid Khan (SRH) – Rashid Khan, one of the top T20 bowlers, went for plenty in for the second time in as many matches. The uber-talented leg-spinner had no answer against Rayudu’s assault which saw him going for match figures of 4-0-49-1.
Manish Pandey (SRH) – Manish Pandey, a crucial cog in the wheel for Sunrisers Hyderabad, has failed to stand tall on the expectations bestowed upon him. Leaving aside his half-century in the last match, he has scored a paltry 15 runs in four matches. Today was an opportunity for him to shine, but he missed it as he scored 0 (2).
Deepak Hooda (SRH) – Just like Manish Pandey, even Deepak Hooda missed a golden chance today. Promoted to bat up the order at No. 4, Deepak Hooda ended up scoring 1 (7) in a situation where his team required a certain contribution from him.
