Hyderabad Roars as Openers Shine and Bowling Dominates
. Opting to bowl first, the SRH bowlers displayed disciplined control, restricting CSK to a manageable total of 165/5. In reply, the Hyderabad openers laid a strong foundation, and fifties from Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram sealed the win with 11 balls to spare. Here’s a ball-by-ball breakdown of the enthralling encounter:
Chennai Super Kings Innings (165/5)
Over 1: Pat Cummins (SRH) started with a tight line and length, conceding just 3 runs. The intent from CSK was evident as Ruturaj Gaikwad looked to unleash a lofted shot but mistimed it for a single.
Over 2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) joined the attack, keeping things economical with another 3-run over. The pressure built, and a miscommunication between the openers led to a searching throw from Nicholas Pooran (SRH) at the wicket, forcing Gaikwad back for a risky single.
Over 3: Marco Jansen (SRH) entered the fray, and his pace troubled the CSK batsmen. The first boundary arrived off the last ball, a well-timed flick through mid-wicket by Rachin Ravindra.
Over 4: The pressure mounted as Cummins removed Ravindra (8) with a sharp bouncer that found the outside edge. The early wicket put CSK on the back foot.
Over 5-8: Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube consolidated the innings, rotating the strike and picking up occasional boundaries. Dube, in particular, showed positive intent, smashing a six over deep mid-wicket off Jansen in the 7th over.
Over 9: The in-form Washington Sundar (SRH) came into the attack and immediately stifled the flow of runs with a tight line. Dube, however, continued his aggressive approach, taking a boundary off the last ball.
Over 10: Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned for his second spell and provided the breakthrough, dismissing Rahane (27) caught behind. CSK found themselves at 58/2 at the halfway mark.
Over 11-13: Ambati Rayudu and Dube continued the rebuilding process, playing cautiously against the spin duo of Sundar and Shreyas Gopal (SRH). Boundaries were hard to come by on a sluggish pitch.
Over 14: The experienced Ravindra Jadeja joined the crease after Dube’s dismissal (49, 3 sixes). He played some clever strokes, manipulating the field with nudges and flicks.
Over 15-17: The boundaries started flowing again as Jadeja and MS Dhoni (18) accelerated the scoring rate. Jadeja, in particular, impressed with his elegant strokeplay, finding the gaps consistently.
Over 18: Jansen returned and dismissed Dhoni with a slower ball, breaking the budding partnership. CSK needed a late flourish in the final two overs.
Over 19: Deepak Chahar (15) and Moeen Ali (7) tried their best to push the score further, but wickets fell at crucial junctures. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up his second wicket, restricting CSK to a total of 165/5.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (166/4 in 18.1 overs)
Over 1: The SRH openers, Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma started cautiously against the swing of Deepak Chahar (CSK).
Over 2-3: Sharma broke the shackles in the second over, hammering three boundaries off Theekshana (CSK) – a lofted cover drive, a flick through mid-wicket, and a powerful pull shot.
Over 4: Chahar bounced back with a tight over, conceding only a single. The early momentum shifted slightly.
Over 5: Mitchell Santner (CSK) came into the attack, and Sharma continued his aggressive approach, smashing a six over long-on.
Over 6-7: The partnership flourished as both openers confidently played their shots. Boundaries came at regular intervals, putting the pressure back on CSK bowlers.
Over 8: The 50-run partnership arrived in just 33 balls, showcasing the dominance of the SRH top
Over 9: The equation started to look comfortable for SRH as they raced to 78/0 at the end of the powerplay overs. CSK desperately needed a wicket to break the partnership.
Over 10: The turning point arrived in the 10th over as Maheesh Theekshana (CSK) trapped Mayank Agarwal (28) leg before wicket. The dismissal provided CSK with a glimmer of hope.
Over 11-12: Aiden Markram, known for his composure, joined Sharma at the crease. The pair continued to rotate the strike and pick up occasional boundaries, ensuring the run rate stayed healthy.
Over 13: Sharma, after a blistering knock, fell victim to a brilliant diving catch by Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket (49, 6 fours, 1 six). He was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for his crucial innings.
Over 14-15: Nicholas Pooran (SRH) joined Markram, but his stay was short-lived as he miscued a pull shot off Dwayne Bravo (CSK) for just 6 runs. The pressure shifted slightly towards SRH, needing 58 runs from the last 5 overs with 4 wickets in hand.
Over 16: Markram continued to anchor the chase, playing some delightful shots through the covers and mid-wicket. He reached his fifty off 38 balls, showcasing his experience and temperament.
Over 17-18: Washington Sundar (SRH) played a crucial cameo, hitting a six over long-off off Bravo in the 17th over. The required run rate dipped below 6, putting SRH firmly in control.
Over 19: Markram finished the match in style, hammering a six over long-on off Theekshana to seal the victory for SRH with 11 balls to spare. He remained unbeaten on 52 (4 fours, 1 six).
Match Analysis:
he disciplined bowling performance by the SRH bowlers, especially in the powerplay overs, laid the foundation for the victory. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen picked up crucial wickets at the top, restricting CSK’s scoring rate. The spin duo of Washington Sundar and Shreyas Gopal also played their part, applying pressure and drying up boundaries in the middle overs.
In reply, the opening partnership between Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma was instrumental in setting the tone for the chase. While Agarwal provided stability, Sharma’s aggressive knock took the pressure off the middle order. After Sharma’s dismissal, Aiden Markram’s composed fifty ensured SRH never lost control of the chase.
Player of the Match: Abhishek Sharma (SRH) for his explosive knock of 49 runs off just 28 balls.
Leading Run Scorer: Abhishek Sharma (SRH) – 49 runs
Leading Wicket Taker: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) – 2 wickets