Chennai Super Kings became the first team in this edition of the Indian Premier League to qualify for the playoffs after they continued their form in the competition. CSK defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in Sharjah on Thursday night.
Chasing 135 runs in 20 overs, the Super Kings were off to a flying start, courtesy, some good batting from openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis. The two batters put up 75 runs for the first wicket before Gaikwad departed for 45 off 38.
Faf was then joined by Moeen Ali in the middle and the left-right batting duo then stitched a partnership of 28 runs for the second wicket. The SRH side got the breakthrough after Rashid Khan cleaned up Moeen Ali for run-a-ball 17.
Moeen’s scalp saw a couple of more wickets falling at a quick interval that included the dismissal of Suresh Raina and Du Plessis as CSK were reduced to 108/4.
Later, captain MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu took the onus on themselves and steadied the ship for the side to bring down the equation to 16 runs required off the last two overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was bowling the penultimate over was hit for 13 runs and CSK then needed three off the last six deliveries. Dhoni, eventually concluded the match with a maximum. Jason Holder scalped a three-wicket haul at the cost of 27 runs in 4 overs.
Earlier, in the day, SRH suffered a batting collapse and were reduced to 117/7 and ended the innings at 134/7 in 20 overs. Wirddhiman Saha top-scored with a 46-ball 44. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 3/24 in 4 overs while Dwayne Bravo scalped a couple of wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs.
SRH captain Kane Williamson admitted that the side was 10-15 runs short.
“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,” Williamson said during the post-match presentation.
CSK skipper MS Dhoni talked about the last edition’s elimination and what it means to qualify for the playoffs in this season.
“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,” Dhoni said.
Experts’ Opinion
Commentator Harsha Bhogle mentioned CSK’s win, courtesy the maximum from MS Dhoni to finish off the things. “Dhoni and a six to finish. The story isn't over yet…..,” Bhogle tweeted.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra lavished praise on CSK and the way they fared in this IPL edition especially after failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last season.
“Comeback Super Kings. First team to qualify for the playoffs after missing out on qualification for the first time last season,” he wrote on Twitter.
Former India bowler Irfan Pathan lauded CSK for becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs. “Vintage CSK and Qualifying to play offs. Good old story!” Pathan tweeted.
Former India pacer RP Singh praised the Super Kings for carrying the form. “Pre- corona( CSK always in top form in IPL. Post-corona- (Theme hasn't changed.) Something never changes in Dhoni life!” He wrote on Twitter.
CSK will now play RR in Abu Dhabi on Saturday while SRH will be up against KKR in Dubai on Sunday.