IPL 2019: Match 41, CSK vs SRH – Who Said What

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) became the first team to qualify for the playoffs in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The team, captained by MS Dhoni, defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They lost two games in succession but made an impressive comeback. Meanwhile, with the loss, SRH remained in the fourth position of the table.

Pandey plays a blinder

After being put in to bat first, the Sunrisers scored 175 for the loss of three wickets. Harbhajan Singh struck first blood, dismissing Jonny Bairstow for a two-ball duck. Then it was the turn of David Warner and Manish Pandey to stage a comeback for the visiting team. The duo cobbled together a second-wicket stand of 115 runs off 72 balls. The left-handed Warner accomplished his half-century in 39 balls.

Harbhajan got rid of the ominous-looking Warner in the 14th over. Nevertheless, Pandey, who got into the side in place of Kane Williamson, notched his maiden fifty this season in a mere 25 balls. The right-hander didn’t get out and remained unbeaten on 83 from 49 balls with the help of seven fours and three over-boundaries. Vijay Shankar also chipped in with a useful 26 off 20 to inject momentum into the innings.

Watson comes to the party

CSK made a horrendous start to their run-chase as Faf du Plessis fell prey to a run out in the very first over. Thereafter, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina didn’t allow the pressure to unnerve them and put on a stand of 77 runs off 45 balls to put the Super Kings in a position of command. The left-handed Raina played some positive cricket with a knock of 38 runs off 24 balls with the help of six fours and a six.

Rashid Khan cut short his knock in the 10th over and at that point in time, CSK required 96 with eight wickets in hand. At the other end, Watson went from strength to strength and got to his fifty in 28 balls. Unfortunately, he got out on 96, caught down the leg-side by Bairstow off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The match went to the last over where CSK needed nine runs and they achieved them with one ball to spare.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the SRH captain, said

It was a par score on the board. There was dew on the ground. This is probably the first off day for Rashid in three years, anyone can have an off day. The credit goes to Watson. We will obviously miss Bairstow but we have players in the squad who can replace him. We have away games now and we have to win those games to qualify. I have learnt a lot doing captaincy.

MS Dhoni, the CSK captain, said

I think you can give individuals some games and the team gives them the rest. Watson has been a matchwinner for us. He has been batting well in the nets. Whatever small innings he played so far, he was middling them well although he did struggle a bit. This is the time when you need to back them. The management’s thinking was to give him as many games as possible. And the team winning also means that a player gets more games than he would actually get. It’s good to see different individuals step up every game.

Nice to see our bowling department do well but would like our batting unit also get into the mode that’s necessary for the playoffs. If I tell everyone what it is, then they won’t buy me at the auctions. It’s a trade secret. The crowd support and franchise’s support are key of course. Huge credit has to also go to the support staff who play a huge role in keeping the team atmosphere good for the team and other individuals. Other than this, I can’t reveal anything till I retire. It’s alright, not showing signs of getting worse. With the World Cup coming, I need to be careful as that comes first.

Shane Watson, the Player of the Match, said

I was due for runs, that’s for sure. I can’t thank Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni enough for their belief in me. Most of the teams I’ve played in, I would have been dropped by now but they showed the trust in me. Of course, I was doing alright in the PSL and in the BBL too, struck the ball well. Needed some things to go my way, like it did today when Bhuvi was all over me. He is an incredibly skillful bowler as he swings it both ways.

Harbhajan Singh said

It’s always nice to go out there and do what I do. Unfortunately, I missed a couple of games due to sickness. Obviously nice to be back and playing and really happy with the win. We are trying to have a strong heart, we are trying to finish in the 19th over, but boys are testing our hearts. As long as we are getting the right result we are fine. Nice to see Watto getting those runs, last year he won us the IPL single-handedly and nice to see him get those runs and it will boost his confidence. It will be a good thing for CSK. We always play well in Chennai, thanks to this this beautiful crowd who always come and support us. Teams that come here they need to play much better cricket than us to beat us here. Hopefully win the rest and stay on top.

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