IPL 2022: Match 17, CSK vs SRH – Who Said What

The Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their losing streak with a convincing eight-wicket win over southern rivals Chennai Super Kings in the Match 17 of IPL 2022 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on April 9. While SRH registered their first points this season, the defending champions are yet to snap their winless streak as they have lost all the four matches that they have played so far.

Earlier, the coin landed in the favour of SRH skipper Kane Williamson and he elected to bowl first. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa got starts but lost their wickets in quick succession before the middle-order duo of Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali added 62 runs for the third wicket stand. Rayudu scored a run-a-ball 27 while Ali top-scored with 48 runs from 35 deliveries. A 15-ball 23 from skipper Ravindra Jadeja towards the end took CSK to a respectable total of 154/7 from their 20 overs.

Abhishek Sharma makes a statement during SRH run chase

In reply, SRH openers meant business straightaway as Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma went after the bowlers and added 89 runs for the first wicket. After the captain’s dismissal, Rahul Tripathi played a stellar knock of an unbeaten 39 runs from 15 deliveries but, it was Abhishek’s knock that stood out as he scored a blistering 50-ball 75 at an outstanding strike rate of 150 including five fours and three sixes.

Even though he was dismissed in the 18th over, he had done enough to ensure that Hyderabad got past the line in the very same over to register a morale-boosting win.

Losing skipper, Ravindra Jadeja said:

Didn’t get the start what we were looking for. 20-25 short. Our bowlers were looking to bowl in good areas early on, trying to take wickets. Will look to improve in both departments. We’re all professional cricketers, need to work hard on our game, stick together and try to come back.

Winning skipper, Kane Williamson said:

Every game that you play is tough. For us as a side, we want to keep on improving. Outstanding contributions with bat and ball. It was a very good performance. Largely staying calm and staying on task. We know every team is strong. For us, it’s focusing on our cricket and wanting to make those subtle adjustments, play smart and adjust to conditions.

We are starting to see games played on surfaces once, twice. For us, it’s just looking into each match, targeting it, committing to what’s important to us as a team and going out and playing with freedom. It (target) was competitive definitely on that surface. The ball held on the wicket a little bit.

It was great that we were able to build partnerships. Fantastic knock from Abhishek at the top of the order, took the pressure off everyone else and Rahul Tripathi – an outstanding contribution there. The partnerships were key. Frustrating (on his dismissals), the game always challenges you, looking to keep working hard and putting the time in.

Everybody is trying to make contributions as much as they can for this team. It was great today to come away with the win. We have another match in a couple of days, we’ll change our focus to that.

Player of the Match, Abhishek Sharma said:

It was a pressure game for the whole team and me as well as we didn’t do well in the first two games. I am pretty much lucky to have a team like SRH because they’ve been very supportive through this journey. I was just waiting for an innings like this. It’s a good start for me and I look forward to score more innings like this.

(Message from the dressing room) They just wanted me to bat my natural game and just go with my instincts. I wanted to play an innings like this for my team. 100%, I have been waiting for my bowling. Whenever I get the situation, I am ready for it. I am working with Murali sir and Tom. With batting, Brian sir is there now. They have been very supportive, they are really looking after me which is helping me a lot.