Rayudu tames SRH bowlers, Super Kings seal close win
CLOSE AFFAIR Led by Rayudu’s unbeaten 79, Dhoni’s side clinches fourth win in five games vs SRH
HYDERABAD: In a contest where fortunes swung from one end to another, Deepak Chahar’s threewicket opening burst and a stunning 79 from Ambati Rayudu powered Chennai Super Kings to a four-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Sunday.
SRH skipper Kane Williamson struck a classy 84 and Yusuf Pathan hammered 45 but they could not stop CSK from scoring their fifth win in four matches.
Chasing 183, Williamson took the fight to the end, adding 79 runs with Pathan to keep hopes alive at the packed Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
CSK prevailed by restricting SRH to 178/6. A four-ball 17 not out by Rashid Khan wasn’t enough as the hosts, needing 19 off the final over bowled by Dwayne Bravo, managed only 14.
Williamson (51b, 5x4, 5x6) provided solidity in the absence of injured opener Shikhar Dhawan before Pathan (45 - 27b, 1x4, 4x6) came in, only to fall short.
MS Dhoni’s side were restricted by the disciplined SRH bowlers to 27/1 after six overs, and accelerated only later.
Reduced to 54/2 after 10 overs, Rayudu’s onslaught and Suresh Raina’s 53 not out helped CSK recover. Dhoni made 25 not out.
CSK though hit 128 runs in the last 10 overs, 62 in the last 30 balls.
Rayudu (37b, 9x4, 4x6) looked set for a century, but a mix-up with Raina saw him run out. They added 112 runs for the third wicket. Raina (43 b, 5x4, 2x6) went past Virat Kohli as leading IPL run-scorer.
Despite an inspired start with the ball, SRH bowlers were pummelled for the second game in a row with Bhuvneshwar Kumar not completing his overs.
CHAHAR SPECIAL
Deepak Chahar broke SRH’S back with an opening spell of 3-17-3, removing Ricky Bhui, Manish Pandey (0) and Deepak Hooda (1).
Williamson, who got to his fifty off 35 balls, waged a lone battle for the most part. He provided consistency at the top, having scored a fifty in the previous game too.
He kept the scoreboard ticking with two fours each off Shardul Thakur’s first two overs and brought his team back into contention with three sixes off legspinner Karn Sharma in the 15th over, which went for 22 runs.
However, the dismissals of Williamson and Pathan within five deliveries dashed their victory hopes. and Rashid’s lusty blows were not enough.