IPL: Chennai Super Kings run roughshod over Sunrisers Hyderabad

Aided by an unbeaten 99 from Suresh Raina, Chennai bury the hosts under an avalanche of runs for a 77-run victory.

File picture of Suresh Raina who missed out on a century by a run for Chennai Super Kings. Pal Pillai via Getty Images

Toss Hyderabad, chose to field
Chennai Raina 99 n.o, Hussey 67; Perera 3-45
Hyderabad Patel 44, K Sharma 39 n.o; M Sharma 2-28
Man of the match Suresh Raina (Chennai)

Chennai Super Kings produced one of the most spectacular batting displays of the Indian Premier League to bury Sunrisers Hyderabad under an avalanche of runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium yesterday.

Chennai's batsmen had an off day in their previous game against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, but Suresh Raina, who finished unbeaten on 99, and Michael Hussey (67 off 42 balls) decimated Hyderabad's hitherto impressive bowling attack, amassing a daunting total of 223 for three after being put in to bat.

With their confidence shaken, Hyderabad failed to extend their unbeaten run at home, slumping to a 77-run loss, their first in six games at the venue.

Murali Vijay and Hussey got Chennai off to a flying start, adding 45 in just 5.2 overs. Vijay cut loose with the last three balls of the fourth over, towering sixes over deep square-leg off Ishant Sharma's bowling.

Thisara Perera ended Vijay's cameo, getting an edge to Parthiv Patel, the wicketkeeper. But Hyderabad's woes were far from over. Hussey cut Amit Mishra with panache, and hit Karan Sharma for six over long-on. At the other end, Raina was all sweet timing as he extended his good form.

Karan Sharma failed to grab a chance at point when Raina was on 27, and he made most of the reprieve. As the fours and sixes flowed, Kumar Sangakkara tried to curb the mayhem by bowling out Mishra, his most successful bowler. But Ishant conceded 25 in an over, and by the time Hussey was dismissed off Perera's bowling in the 17th over, the partnership had amassed 133 in 72 deliveries.

Perera took three wickets that cost 45. Dale Steyn went for only 17, but was wicketless.

Hyderabad's batting had been their Achilles heel throughout the tournament, and it failed yet again as the top order tumbled within nine overs. Shikhar Dhawan's unfortunate run-out was followed by R Ashwin's dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara.

When Raina and Mohit Sharma got rid of Hanuma Vihari and Darren Sammy in the space of three deliveries, Hyderabad's challenge was as good as over.

Patel (44 off 30 balls) started off briskly, but he too succumbed to the pressure of an asking rate that had gone past 13 per over. Chennai's win has assured them of a spot in the play-offs. Hyderabad stay in fifth place on 14.

Disha Shetty is a subeditor at Wisden India.

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