CSK canter home
Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis put on 129 runs for the wicket as Chennai cruise to victory with seven wickts in hand and race to the top of table
Pune lad, Ruturaj Gaikwad blended beautifully with Faf du Plessis' flamboyance as Chennai Super Kings outsmarted Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, here on Wednesday. CSK secure their fifth successive victory and move back to the top of the points table with 10 points but better run rate.
SEt to score 172 for win, the openers Gaikwad and du Plessis put on 129 for the wicket as they cruised passed the target with nine balls to spare and seven wickets in hand. Gaikwad was calmness personified as he tore apart the Sunrisers attack during his 75 off 44 balls after Du Plessis (56 off 38 balls) launched the initial assault, making a target of 172 looking easier than it actually was.
If Du Plessis shimmied down the track to loft left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchith over long-on for a six, Gaikwad would rock back and pull him over deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
If Gaikwad's inside out lofted boundary off Suchith over extra cover was a treat, the use of crease to back-cut the bowler off the very next delivery was equally delectable.
There was a stage at the end of the Powerplay, when Du Plessis had scored double the runs of his younger partner but before one could bat an eyelid, the Pune batsman was on even keel with the former Proteas captain. And once both crossed 50, Du Plessis enjoyed Gaikwad's repertoire of strokes from the best seat in the house. The temperament was there for everyone to see and one would understand why MS Dhoni has been bullish about giving the youngster every possible opportunity despite a dry run at the start of the tournament.
A pitch that his skipper Dhoni had termed a bit tacky before the start of the match looked like a batting paradise. The dew did play its part but not an ounce of credit can be taken away from the batsmen.
By the time Rashid Khan (3/36) quickly accounted for Gaikwad after a 129 run opening stand followed by Moeen Ali and Du Plessis, SRH captain David Warner had a resigned look on his face.
Earlier, after opting to bat, contrasting half-centuries from Manish Pandey and skipper Warner along with a cameo from Kane Williamson ensured a decent 171/3 for the outfit from Hyderabad.