IPL6: Cool Dhoni steers Chennai to victory

A belligerent unbeaten 67 off 37 balls from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw Chennai Super Kings seal a thrilling five-wicket victory with two balls to spare against SunRisers Hyderabad at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

Hyderabad should blame themselves for the loss to a certain extent after Cameron White’s strange decision to give the final over to Ashish Reddy who had not bowled till then, with Dhoni on strike and Chennai needing 16 runs.

Dhoni just needed only four balls to ensure victory as Chennai scored 160 for five in 19.4 overs to secure their fifth win from seven matches.

His match-winning knock was studded with seven boundaries and four massive sixes, including three off Steyn.

Part of the credit should also go to Michael Hussey who provided Chennai, chasing a target of 160, a great start smashing a 26-ball 45 including five boundaries and two sixes.

Mishra bagged three wickets for Hyderabad but he would regret missing an easy catch when Dhoni had just begun firing.

Steyn was the most expensive bowler going for 45 and claiming the wicket of Jadeja.

Earlier, a breezy 43-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Ashish Reddy spurred SunRisers Hyderabad to a challenging 159 for six.

For most part of the innings, Chennai bowlers dominated the show as Hyderabad were just 115 for five in 17 overs.

But once Dhawan who had briefly retired hurt came back and completely changed things in Hyderabad’s favour scoring an unbeaten 63 from 45 balls with 10 boundaries.

Reddy was equally aggressive scoring 36 from 16 deliveries including two fours and three sixes.
For Chennai, Mohit Sharma and Dwayne Bravo took two wickets each.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS

Hyderabad's decision to give the ball to Reddy backfired and Chennai led by Dhoni got past the target with still two balls to spare.

Huge one from Dhoni. Chennai is celebrating already. They need 8 off 4 now.

Ashish Reddy to bowl. It's the first over he's bowling. Hyderabad are taking a chance here.

R Jadeja c Mishra b Steyn 1 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Mishra does no error this time. A good catch to end Jadeja. But Steyn not celebrating, Dhoni is still there.

Steyn to bowl to Dhoni. 12 runs already coming off the first three balls, a six and a four included. Dhoni is dominating the contest.

Great over from Sharma. Only four runs from that. Chennai are 132 for 4 in 18 overs.

D Bravo c Ashish Reddy b I Sharma 7 (16b 0x4 0x6)

Bravo is out, But Chennai would not probably mind it. He was certainly struggling. Sir Jadeja comes in.

While Dhoni hammers two sixes to help Chennai inch closer to victory, Bravo seems to be struggling taking 14 balls to score 5. Chennai are 128 for 3 in 17 overs.

Karan Sharma bowls a maiden over at this stage of the match. Quite an achievement. Bravo does not show the intend to attack. Crowd wants to see Dhoni now. They are 114 for 3 in 16 overs.

Two boundaries from Dhoni and the equation slightly gives Chennai the edge at this stage. Some tight overs are a must for Hyderabad now. Chennai are 114 for 3 in 15 overs

A no-ball from Sharma and Dhoni prepares for a free hit. But nothing from that.

It's turning out to be an interesting battle in the middle. Focus on skipper Dhoni. Chennai are 103 for 3 in 14 overs.

S Raina c Sammy b Mishra 16 (13b 1x4 0x6)

Mishra picks his third wicket. Another big one for Hyderabad as Raina departs.

Two boundaries from that over from Dhoni. Chennai are 98 for 2 in 13 overs.

Chennai score slowing down. They are 86 for 2 in 12 overs.

Steyn not impressed. Great chance missed after Mishra misses a catch off Dhoni. Hyderabad can't afford those ones. Chennai need 76 from 54 balls.

Terrific over from Mishra. Chennai now need 84 from 60 balls.

Dhoni comes into the middle and the crowd gets noisier.

M Hussey c de Kock b Mishra 45 (26b 5x4 2x6)

Big wicket for Hyderabad. Mishra takes another to end Hussey. Chennai are 76 for 2.

Things going smooth for Chennai. They need 85 off 66 balls. Two dangerous batsmen out there. Hyderabad need more wickets.

Ishant Sharma returns to bowl.

Two left-handers look to dominate. Chennai now need 92 runs off 72 balls. Hussey on 44.

Big hitting Raina is in.

M Vijay st †de Kock b Mishra 18 (22b 2x4 0x6)

Things finally go right for Mishra. Bowls a beauty to end Vijay. Hyderabad needed that one badly.

Another good over from Sharma. But Hyderabad needs wickets. Chennai 60 for 0 in 7 overs. They need 100 from 78 balls.

Not a good start for Mishra, Hussey takes on him and 12 runs coming from that. Chennai are 50 for 0 in 6 overs.

Mishra hit for a maximum from Hussey and Chennai reach 50.

Sharma bowls his first over fine. Only four runs off that over. Chennai are 46 for 0 in 5 overs.

Spin introduced and Karan Sharma bowls.

Hussey and Vijay continue to dominate. 15 runs off that over of Sammy. Hyderabad need a wicket here. Chennai are 42 for 0 in 4 overs.

Steyn comes into bowl and that does not help. 10 runs coming off that over as Chennai reach 27 for 0 in 3 overs.

Expensive over from Sharma. Vijay and Hussey looking good. Get 13 runs from that over. Chennai are 17 for 0 in 2 overs.

Ishant Sharma bowls from the other end.

Good first over from Sammy. Chennai are 4 for 0 in 1 over.

Sammy bowls, Chennai open with Vijay and Hussey.

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS

Great partnership between Dhawan and Reddy and Hyderabad suddenly look in a comfort zone with 159 for 6 in 20 overs. Sixteen runs came off the last over from Bravo. Chennai do have a task to achieve now.

Dhawan and Reddy peg back the initiative in Hyderabad's favour. Reach 143 for 6 in 19 overs.

Two back to back boundaries from Dhawan to finish off that over. He reaches his 50 from 41 balls and Hyderabad are 126 for 6 in 18 overs.

Bravo gets another. Picks up Sammy. Hyderabad 116 for 6 in 17.2 overs. Dhawan is back.

Sammy and Reddy take charge. A boundary and a six and it turned out to be a great over for Hyderabad. They get 15 runs from that over and Hyderabad are 115 for 5 in 17 overs.

Hyderabad reach 100 for 5 in 16 overs. Chennai bowlers doing a great job, Hyderabad needs to accelerate.

T Sargunam c & b Bravo 10 (17b 0x4 0x6)

Bravo is having a great time out there. Gets his first wicket removing Sargunam. Hyderabad sinking.

Barring that six, it was a good over from Jadeja. Hyderabad 96 for 4 in 15 overs. With five overs remaining, Hyderabad needs some big shots.

Jadeja is welcomed by a huge six from Sammy. The first six of the match. Coming so late!

An eventful over from Bravo. Hyderabad are 88 for 4 in 14 overs.

Sammy replaces him.

Bravo comes in to bowl. Dhawan gets hit off his bowling and he is helped out of the ground. Big blow for Hyderabad.

Hyderabad going steady at the moment. Dhawan is the man in focus. He reaches 44 from 37 deliveries. Hyderabad are 82 for 4 in 13 overs.

Two boundaries from Dhawan and Hyderabad are 77 for 4 in 12 overs.

Sargunam debuts. Hyderabad need some big ones. Dhawan's still there but can he turn it around. Hyderabad reach 67 for 4 in 11 overs.

A Mishra c Bravo b Ashwin 15 (21b 2x4 0x6)

Ashwin continues to bowl well. And the pressure got on to Mishra who holes one in the deep to Bravo. Hyderabad are 62 for 4 in 10 overs.

Chris Morris introduced to the attack. He gets a fine first over giving away just four runs. Hyderabad are 57 for 3 in 9 overs.

Well bowled by Ashwin. Mixing it up nicely. Gives away only four runs. Hyderabad reach 53 for 3 in 8 overs.

50 comes up for Hyderabad in 7.1 overs.

Two boundaries from Mishra takes Hyderabad to 49 for 3 in 7 overs. Mishra has been doing the job he has been sent for.

Good comeback from Chennai. Ashwin gives away just three runs. Hyderabad reach 40 for 3 in 6 overs.

Ashwin has taken the ball.

C White c †Dhoni b Sharma 2 (3b 0x4 0x6)

White goes. A nice low catch taken by Dhoni behind the wickets. However Dhawan dealing in only boundaries. But they are losing wickets at the same time. Hyderabad are 37 for 3 in 5 overs.

Dhawan sparkles. Smashes three boundaries off that Holder over. Hyderabad reach 28 for 2 in 4 overs.

Just one run coming off that over. Hyderabad's scoring rate dropping. Can Dhawan strike some big ones? Hyderabad are 13 for 2 in 3 overs.

Cameron White joins Dhawan.

H Vihari run out 2 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Hyderabad in trouble. Lose another after Vihari is run-out. Exceptional fielding from Raina there. They are 12 for 2 in 2 overs.

Jason Holder comes in to bowl.

Good start for Chennai. Wicket off the first over. Hyderabad are 6 for 1 in 1 over.

Q de Kock c Vijay b Sharma 4 (3b 1x4 0x6)

Kock begins with a boundary but he is gone after Vijay pulls off a stunning catch off Mohit Sharma's bowling.

Dhawan and Sammy back for Hyderabad

PLAYING XI:

Hyderabad: S Dhawan, Q de Kock, H Vihari, C White, D Sammy, T Sargunam, K Sharma, AA Reddy, A Mishra, D Steyn, I Sharma

Chennai: Vijay, M Hussey, S Raina, S Badrinath, R Jadeja, MS Dhoni, DJ Bravo, J Holder, C Morris, R Ashwin, M Sharma

Second-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match 34 of IPL6 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

CSK have won their last three matches and will go top of the table if they win this contest by a big margin.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will resume battle after a five-day hiatus following wins against Pune Warriors India and Kings XI Punjab.
 

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