IPL 2021: Match 44, SRH vs CSK – Who Said What

Chennai Super Kings stamped an official seal of approval on their playoff qualification (and perhaps a top two finish in the tally, too) with a victory as comprehensive as any over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sharjah.

A batting first Hyderabad stuttered nearly throughout their 20 overs, managing to post an unimposing 134/7, their lowest-ever total versus CSK in IPL history. Their top-performer from the seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the previous game, Jason Roy, was dismissed cheaply by Josh Hazlewood, who would later dismiss Abhishek Sharma and Abdul Samad to return with 3/24.

After Roy’s early exit, Wriddhiman Saha held his end but failed to make a move on, scoring a sedate 46-ball 44 before skying Jadeja and being caught by Dhoni. During his stay, the wickets continued to fall from the other end as Dwayne Bravo pinned Kane Williamson lbw for a run-a-ball 11 before getting Priyam Garg caught behind.

Two young men in the SRH middle-order – Sharma and Samad – did their best to infuse some momentum through their 35-run stand but Hazlewood sent both of them for an identical score of 18 in the 17^th over to dent SRH’s hope to add some runs in the death overs. That SRH was not restricted for a below-120 score was thanks to Rashid Khan’s 17 off 13 but the target hardly managed to challenge their opponents.

During the chase, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis notched up their 6^th half-century stand of the season, racing off to 75 in 10 overs before Jason Holder got Gaikwad caught for a 38-ball 45, including four fours and a couple of sixes. In at No. 3, Moeen Ali scored a patient run-a-ball 17 alongside a free-flowing du Plessis, who got a 36-ball 41. A brief hiccup, however, arrived courtesy of Holder, who removed both du Plessis and Suresh Raina in the 16^th after Rashid Khan struck to see the back of Moeen, bringing CSK down to 108/4 from 102/1.

With CSK still 30 adrift the target, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni joined hands, remaining unbeaten on 17 and 14 respectively, with CSK finishing things off in the most iconic of ways: an MSD six sailing high in the night sky, to win the contest by 6 wickets.

Losing skipper Kane Williamson:

Not quite enough runs. It wasn’t an easy surface and although we didn’t get enough we showed a fighting spirit in the last quarter with the ball. We need 10-15 extra runs with the bat though and we need to make those small changes. After the powerplay we were 40-something and although you feel like you want more, it was a good start on that surface. You want to score a few more runs though, but we saw some nice contributions from the lower order. We need to improve. This team is at the top of the table. If you make better decisions with the bat, the final score could have been a little more. CSK played really well. It looked challenging and variable. We are back to the drawing board. Although every match is about the W or the L against your name, you do look at the growth of the team. This season has been a bit disjointed given that it was played in two halves, but we’ll look to grow and build some momentum.

Winning skipper MS Dhoni:

It means a lot, because the last time, we said we wanted to come back strong. We are known for that and there was a lot at stake. You won’t always win games and a lot didn’t go our way last time, and it’s important not to make excuses and we have done that this year. The boys did well to keep the momentum going, and they’ve taken responsibilities to keep all departments of the game in balance so the players and the support staff get the credit. The bounce of the wicket was different – instead of knee height, it was shin height, and once the batsmen figured out that they have to hit straight, they succeeded. The bowlers tried to swing it up front and got hit straight when they pitched it up too much, but then adjusted very well. I told the bowlers that they needed to exploit the conditions in today’s game. If the odd ball stopped early on, it started coming onto the bat later. Not much needs to be said of the fans, who have supported us through thick and thin and I’m glad we have repaid their faith.

Player of the Match Josh Hazlewood:

I put in a lot of hardwork and learnt a lot every game. It’s hard to learn since there’s a different team every game, but it’s satisfying. Getting Roy was a big wicket, and it was good to put the pressure back on them early. The wicket offered a little bit, it was on the slower side and a little low as well. We are happy we are applying whatever we are doing in the practice. It’s good to learn from DJ Bravo over the last few weeks too, and it’s been a great learning curve for me.