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Chennai vs Hyderabad Live Commentary, Match 46, Indian Premier League, 2018, May 13, 2018

SRH 179/4 (20)
Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets
CSK 180/2 (19)
Match over
Sunrisers Hyderabad Inning Chennai Super Kings Inning
0.0 : Game 46 of the Indian T20 League will see Chennai play host to Hyderabad. Its a battle of the top two sides of the league stage. Dhoni led side have seen a slump in form but their track record at this venue is an impressive one. Though, they have a stiff challenge awaiting them. Hyderabad are on a six-match winning streak which they would like to further extend and maintain their supremacy in the points table. Last time these two teams met, the Yellow Army came out on top, despite brilliance fro
TOSS - Williamson calls tails but heads it is. So, Chennai wins and they have decided to bowl first.
MS Dhoni, the Chennai skipper, says he wants to bowl first as the wicket won't change much. Adds there is no point of always chasing, except for few venues where people like to chase. States it's important to keep winning. Informs about the only change they have made, Karn Sharma makes way for Deepak Chahar who is fit to go.
Kane Williamson, the Hyderabad skipper, says he wanted to bowl first as well. He feels the pitch won't change much and dew won't be a factor as well. Understands the importance of adapting quickly on this surface and posting a good score. He is delighted with the form Shikhar Dhawan is in. He wants his team to stick to their plans and continue to do well. Informs about Yusuf Pathan's condition, he is sore and Deepak Hooda gets a game in place of him.
The umpires are making their way into the middle and they are closely followed by Hyderabad's opening pair of Alex Hales and Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan will take the strike. For Chennai, Deepak Chahar will open the attack with the new ball.
0.1 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Gentle start from Deepak, on a good length around the middle and leg stump line. Dhawan tucks it square on the leg side. Single taken. Dhawan opens his account.
0.2 : D Chahar to A Hales, Fullish delivery closer to the off stump, Hales gets well forward and plays a drive to the mid off region.
0.3 : D Chahar to A Hales, Hales plays a square drive to a wide delivery from Deepak. He finds the man at backward point.
0.4 : D Chahar to A Hales, Sharp nut from Deep, it comes back in quite sharply. Hales stands tall to that one and defends it down the track.
0.5 : D Chahar to A Hales, Swing and a miss! Hales goes on the back foot and fishes at a wide delivery from Deepak. The ball swings away and goes past the outside edge of the bat.
0.6 : D Chahar to A Hales, Finishes the over with a terrific delivery, a yorker in line with the stumps. Hales jams his bat down in time and manages to block it. Brilliant start from Deepak Chahar.
Shardul Thakur comes to bowl.
1.1 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, FOUR! Streaky but Hyderabad will take that with both hands. The ball hits the seam and comes back into the batsman, who is cramped for room as he looks to defend it. Dhawan gets a thick inside edge which misses the leg stump and races away to the fine leg boundary.
1.2 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, Dhawan charges down the track and gets closer to the pitch of the delivery. He defends it solidly down the track.
1.3 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, Big appeal for an LBW, but the umpire is unmoved! Good length ball, swings in just a little, Dhawan sits back to flick it but misses to get hit on the back leg. There were two noises which created the confusion in Dhoni's mind and they didn't opt for a review. Replays are in and it shows all three reds and there was no bat involved. Chennai missed a trick there. How costly will that prove?
1.4 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, Sharp bumper from Thakur, Dhawan keeps his hands low and lets it through to the keeper.
1.5 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, Dhawan taps it on to the leg side and calls for a quick single. Hales is quick to react and makes it before the throw comes in.
1.6 : S Thakur to A Hales, Fullish delivery on the stumps and the batsman defends it on to the off side.
David Willey comes into the attack.
2.1 : D Willey to S Dhawan, Dhawan goes on the back foot and slaps it to the man at cover-point.
2.2 : D Willey to S Dhawan, Fuller length ball on the stumps and Dhawan pushes it to mid on. He calls for a quick single and gets off strike.
2.3 : D Willey to A Hales, Hales goes for the big heave across the line, he gets an inside edge on the pads and the ball rolls to mid off. Single taken.
2.4 : D Willey to S Dhawan, FOUR! Big shot from Dhawan, he makes good contact and slams it away to the square leg boundary. Good length ball from Willey, angling into the pads of Dhawan who whacks it with utter disdain.
2.5 : D Willey to S Dhawan, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. A good length delivery by Willey outside off and Dhawan slams it through the covers for a boundary.
2.6 : D Willey to S Dhawan, It is a good length delivery from Willey which angles in and Dhawan blocks it out.
3.1 : D Chahar to A Hales, Hales plays a drive to the mid off region for a quick single. He makes it with time to spare.
3.2 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Good length ball outside off stump and Dhawan chops it down to the third man region for an easy single.
3.3 : D Chahar to A Hales, OUT! Gone! Deepak provides an early breakthrough for Chennai! A poor shot selection from Hales, he goes for the cover drive to a wide delivery which further swings away from him. The Englishman has to reach out for it and mistimes the drive to point. He fails to keep it down and Suresh Raina takes a sharp catch inside the circle. Hyderabad have lost an early wicket which usually puts pressure on rest of the batting order.
Kane Williamson is the next man in.
3.4 : D Chahar to K Williamson, On a good length outside off and swings away from the stumps, Kane goes back to cut that one. He fails to make contact with the ball.
3.5 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Another sharp delivery from Deepak, dips in at pace. The Hyderabad skipper sits back to flick that, he misses it and gets hit on the back leg.
3.6 : D Chahar to K Williamson, A good length delivery from Deepak closer to the off stump. Williamson waits back and lets it through to the keeper.
Shardul Thakur is back into the attack.
4.1 : S Thakur to S Dhawan, Dhawan taps it to the mid-wicket region and they steal a quick single.
4.2 : S Thakur to K Williamson, FOUR! Super shot! A confidence boosting strike from Kane Williamson! He gets a short delivery and he gets right on top of it. Rolls his wrists on it and pulls it beautifully to the mid-wicket boundary.
4.3 : S Thakur to K Williamson, A little too wide from Shardul and Kane goes reaching for it. Mistimes the cut on to the off side.
4.4 : S Thakur to K Williamson, Williamson sits on the back foot and punches it with nice timing to the point region. Rayudu dives to his right and makes a good stop. Saves at least a couple.
4.5 : S Thakur to K Williamson, Shardul bowls this one on a length outside off and Kane decides to leave it all alone.
4.6 : S Thakur to K Williamson, Kane Williamson opens the face of the bat at the very last moment and steers it behind point. The ball rolls to third man and they take a single.
5.1 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Lovely swing for Deepak, the ball hits the seam after hitting the pitch. Kane Williamson goes back and looks to play away from the body. He misses it and the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
5.2 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Leg bye! Drifting in from outside off and Kane looks to flick that but he fails to make contact with the ball. The ball hits his pads and rolls on the leg side. They take a leg bye.
5.3 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Chahar bowls it in the corridor outside off and Dhawan doesn't offer stroke to it.
5.4 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Wide! Good length ball, swinging down leg, Dhawan looks to flick it but he fails to make contact. Wide given by the umpire.
D Chahar to S Dhawan, Leg bye! Fullish in length from Deepak and it dips into the pads of Dhawan who looks to flick that. He misses and gets rapped on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side. They steal a leg bye.
5.5 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Width on offer and the batsman throws his bat at it. He gets a thick outside edge which flew away to third man. Single taken.
5.6 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Fuller in length from Deepak and Dhawan slices it in front of point for another single.
Harbhajan Singh comes to bowl.
6.1 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Attacks the pads and Dhawan taps it away to the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.
6.2 : H Singh to K Williamson, Shortish delivery outside off and Williamson slaps it through the covers for a single. 500 runs this season for the Hyderabad skipper.
6.3 : H Singh to S Dhawan, FOUR! Lofted drive from Dhawan and he earns boundary for the effort! Loopy ball on the stumps by Harbhajan, Dhawan steps out towards the pitch of it and hits it well over the umpire. The ball just lands inside the ropes. The umpire isn't sure and refers with his partner upstairs. Replays are in and they show its a boundary.
6.4 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Wide! Flatter ball wide outside off, Dhawan doesn't play at that one. Wide given by the umpire.
H Singh to S Dhawan, Pushes it quicker through the air, Dhawan flat-bats it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
6.5 : H Singh to K Williamson, Sliding one down the leg side, Kane works it off his pads in front of the wicket on the leg side. They cross over.
6.6 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Dhawan drops it with soft hands towards the mid-wicket region. They take a single and think about the second run but Dhoni attacks the ball and prevents them from taking an extra run.
Deepak is back into the attack.
7.1 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Fullish delivery from Chahar to start his final over of the spell, Dhawan covers the line of it and defends it down the track.
7.2 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, A rising delivery from Deepak, Dhawan nudges it on the leg side and they steal a quick single.
7.3 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Bowls a pitched up delivery outside off, Williamson reaches out and drives it through the covers for a single.
7.4 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, FOUR! Well timed by Dhawan! He gets an overpitched delivery from Deepak and he smashes it to extra cover, fielder there gets a hand to it but the ball still has enough legs and makes it to the fence.
7.5 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Wide! Short ball by Chahar which swings down the leg side, Dhawan goes for the pull but can't connect. That's a wide.
D Chahar to S Dhawan, Wide! And again, Deepak is just not getting it right in this over. After a couple of half volleys, he has dished out a couple down the leg side.
D Chahar to S Dhawan, Fuller length ball on off, Dhawan steps out and drives it to the covers. They take a single.
7.6 : D Chahar to K Williamson, Williamson stands tall to a length delivery from Deepak and forces it to deep cover. Just the single for the effort. Deepak has bowled out. His figures read 4-0-16-1.
Shane Watson gets the ball.
8.1 : S Watson to K Williamson, Watson bowls a beautiful delivery to start his spell. Bowls a fullish delivery which swings away after hitting the deck. Williamson goes for the drive without covering the line of it and he misses it.
8.2 : S Watson to K Williamson, Shane on this occasion bowls much straighter and attacks the stumps. Kane taps it to the mid-wicket region.
8.3 : S Watson to K Williamson, Superb shot from Williamson but Jadeja is equally good in the deep! Watson bowls a length ball and the batsman slaps it to deep point. Jadeja rushes to his left and covers good ground. Slides at the last moment and picks the ball cleanly. Keeps them down to a single.
8.4 : S Watson to S Dhawan, Full pitched delivery from Watson and Dhawan drills it to long on for a single.
8.5 : S Watson to K Williamson, Short of a length ball outside off, the batsman goes for the big heave across the line. Misses it as that one kept low.
8.6 : S Watson to K Williamson, Williamson is not able to get his timing right. A good length ball from Watson and the batsman tries to punch it. Gets a thick inside edge on to the pads.
Strategic break. Meanwhile, Dwayne Bravo comes into the attack. He is shrewd with his changes of pace. Let's see how he fares today.
9.1 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, Wide! Starts off with a loosener. This is way outside off and Dhawan lets it go.
D Bravo to S Dhawan, Back of a length ball outside off, Shikhar stands tall and punches it to deep cover for a single.
9.2 : D Bravo to K Williamson, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Good length ball, angling down, Williamson clips it nicely through fine leg. The fielder in the deep is pretty square and stands no chance to stop that one.
9.3 : D Bravo to K Williamson, On a fuller length outside off, Kane makes a bit of room and lofts it over the point region. Gets a single for doing so.
9.4 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, Length delivery, angling across the southpaw. Dhawan points his bat skywards and lets it be.
9.5 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Shoddy fielding! Back of a length ball down the leg side, all Dhawan has to do is get bat on it. He hits it towards short fine leg where Harbhajan is lazy. He dives like he is doing so in a swimming pool. Lets it go and the ball races away to the fence. Hyderabad need this kind of a move on.
9.6 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
10.1 : R Jadeja to K Williamson, Shortish ball, cut away with the spin to deep point for a single.
10.2 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, FOUR! This is good going from Dhawan! Gets a shortish ball and makes good use of the depth of the crease. Slaps that through cover-point. The fielder in the deep moves to his left but the ball wins the race.
10.3 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, A short delivery which has been pulled away. One run added to the total. That brings up the 50-run stand between the duo. It has come off 42 balls. Need to press on the accelerator now.
10.4 : R Jadeja to K Williamson, Hangs back to this one and punches it to the off side to rotate strike.
10.5 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, SIX! Boom! Tosses up around off, Dhawan kneels and slogs it over mid on. Has connected pretty well and the ball sails over the fence.
10.6 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Good thinking from Jadeja. Fires this one way outside off and Dhawan misses his cut.
Shane Watson is back on.
11.1 : S Watson to K Williamson, FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard! Good length ball outside off, Williamson throws his bat at it. Gets it more off the outer half and the ball flies over the backward point fielder. Runs are coming in a flurry now.
11.2 : S Watson to K Williamson, SIX! Only Williamson can make a slog look beautiful. In the arc in line of the stumps, Williamson gives it the full monty and tonks it over square leg for a biggie.
11.3 : S Watson to K Williamson, Elegant! Slower ball outside off, Kane upper cuts it towards third man for a single.
11.4 : S Watson to S Dhawan, Angling away from Shikhar who dabs it to point.
11.5 : S Watson to S Dhawan, Wide! The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. Wide signalled by the umpire.
S Watson to S Dhawan, Leg bye! On a length around leg stump, Dhawan goes for a wristy whip but misses. The ball rolls off his pads towards the leg side. A run taken.
11.6 : S Watson to K Williamson, Fullish delivery, milked down to long on for a single.
12.1 : R Jadeja to K Williamson, Tossed up delivery, driven nicely to long off for a single.
12.2 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Fired at 102.8 kph outside off, cut away to the man at point.
12.3 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Fancy stuff from Dhawan! Quicker one outside off, Dhawan reverse sweeps it to short third man for a run.
12.4 : R Jadeja to K Williamson, Slow through the air around off, Kane goes for a big hit but inside edges it towards mid on for a run.
12.5 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, SIX! Clean strike! 31st Indian T20 League fifty for Dhawan! Tossed up on off, Dhawan kneels and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a maximum. It has been a measured knock and he is looking dangerous now.
12.6 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Short outside off, slapped away hard to deep point. Good work from the fielder to keep it down to a couple.
Harbhajan Singh is back on.
13.1 : H Singh to K Williamson, SIX! Threw the kitchen sink at it and got the desired result! His head position was the key here. Floated around off, Kane skates down the track. He is not quite to the pitch of it but still goes through with his loft. Has got good timing on it to send it flying over the long off fence.
13.2 : H Singh to K Williamson, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
13.3 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Sliding down, clipped to the leg side for a single.
13.4 : H Singh to K Williamson, Uppish but safe! Quicker one around off, Williamson goes for the cheeky reverse sweep but mistimes it. The fielder from short third man hares in but fails to reach it. Single taken.
13.5 : H Singh to S Dhawan, SIX! What a brute of a hit! Take that, Singh! A half-tracker outside off, Dhawan stands his crease and hammer-pulls it over mid-wicket for a massive biggie. He is soaring at the moment.
13.6 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Slow through the air, hit down to long off for a run. 16 from the over.
Willey comes back for a bowl.
14.1 : D Willey to S Dhawan, Full ball outside off, placed deftly towards backward point for a swift run.
14.2 : D Willey to K Williamson, FOUR! Picks his field to perfection! Fuller length ball outside off, it is in the slot as well. Kane lifts it just over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary. The 100-run stand comes up. Good going. In the last game as well, these two had stitched a hundred run-stand.
14.3 : D Willey to K Williamson, Cuts this one to the point fielder for a single.
14.4 : D Willey to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan is making merry at the moment! On a length well outside off, Dhawan goes for an agricultural heave but top edges it over the keeper to get the desired result.
14.5 : D Willey to S Dhawan, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Very full on off, Dhawan with a low back-lift whacks it over mid off for a boundary. Such hitting prowess.
14.6 : D Willey to S Dhawan, This time he misses out. Plays it to the cover region. Hyderabad have scored 68 runs in the last 5 overs. These two are flourishing at the moment.
Bravo returns for a burst.
15.1 : D Bravo to K Williamson, FOUR! Sublime! Slower ball on a fullish length outside off, Williamson makes room and chips it over the extra cover region. Bisects the two men in the deep to perfection.
15.2 : D Bravo to K Williamson, Captain consistent does it again! His 10th Indian T20 League fifty, 7th in this season. The hallmark of a great player. Full around off, driven to mid off for a run.
15.3 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Well played! Very full ball outside off, Dhawan guides it smartly through the gap between short third man and backward point to pick up another boundary.
15.4 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. They pick up a single.
15.5 : D Bravo to K Williamson, Slower ball, Williamson skips down the track and has to generate all the bat speed. Hits it to long off for a run.
15.6 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, OUT! Bravo has the last laugh but Dhawan has inflicted a lot of damage! Smart thinking from the wily old fox. Sees Dhawan pre-meditating as he shuffles across his off stump. Bowls a slower ball to catch the batsman off-guard. Dhawan has no pace to work with and only manages to scoop it towards short fine leg where Harbhajan Singh is safe as a house. A brilliant innings from the opener.
Few dark clouds are gathering over the ground.
Strategic break. Manish Pandey is the next man in and there is a bowling change as well. Shardul Thakur comes back into the attack. It is getting pretty gloomy and we might have a rain interruption anytime.
16.1 : S Thakur to K Williamson, OUT! Take a bow, DJ Bravo! He is a superhuman in the field. Two wickets in two balls! The set batsmen are back in the hut. Momentum shift maybe? Full length ball outside off, Williamson crouches and slices it over the backward point region. Bravo in the deep has miles to cover. He hares to his left like a cheetah, lines it up, maintains his balance and takes a gem of a catch. Terrific stuff! A captain's knock ends.
0.0 : Deepak Hooda comes out to bat.
16.2 : S Thakur to M Pandey, Full outside off, pushed to covers for a single to get off the mark.
16.3 : S Thakur to D Hooda, The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
16.4 : S Thakur to M Pandey, Good length ball outside off, punched off the back foot to deep point for a single.
16.5 : S Thakur to D Hooda, FOUR! Nice placement! Slower fullish ball outside off, Hooda lifts it over mid off for a boundary.
16.6 : S Thakur to D Hooda, Angling in towards the pads, tucked to the leg side for a single. Successful over for Thakur.
17.1 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Fullish delivery on middle, driven towards long off for a couple.
17.2 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Wide! Loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side, Hooda goes for the flick but misses.
Hooda seems to be a goner as he has been hit in front of the stumps but he still takes a chance. Will he surprise us?
D Bravo to D Hooda, Not Out! Yes, Hooda has surprised us! A judicious use of the review! That seemed to be crashing into the stumps but I was wrong. Full length ball, tailing in. Hooda shuffles a long away across and tries to flick it away but misses to get pinged on the pads. Bravo roars in an appeal and the umpire obliges. Deepak has a look at his partner and signals for the DRS. Well, well, well.. It is missing the leg stump.
Light has changed drastically in the last couple of minutes. Seems ominous. Let's hope the rain stays away.
17.3 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They manage to come back for the second.
17.4 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Fullish ball down the leg side, Hoods clips it through mid-wicket. The fielder from the deep hares in and keeps the batsmen down to a run.
17.5 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Clips this one to the same region for a single.
17.6 : D Bravo to M Pandey, Again straying on the pads, helped to the leg side for a run.
18.1 : S Thakur to M Pandey, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They manage to come back for the second.
18.2 : S Thakur to M Pandey, Short delivery outside off, Pandey goes for a full-fledged pull but misses.
18.3 : S Thakur to M Pandey, OUT! Pandey holes out! Length ball around off, Pandey clears his front leg in an attempt to clear long off. Hasn't got any sort of timing on it and the ball skies towards long off. Willey just settles under it and takes a composed catch.
Shakib Al Hasan is the new man in.
18.4 : S Thakur to D Hooda, Wide! Wayward stuff! It is well outside off, Hooda chases it but misses.
S Thakur to D Hooda, Wide! Almost a replica of the previous delivery as Hooda fails to put bat to ball.
S Thakur to D Hooda, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Thakur gets his line right this time but the length is in the slot. Hooda swings cleanly and clears the long off fence with utmost ease.
18.5 : S Thakur to D Hooda, Wide! Thakur is all over the place. Again bowls it way outside off, Deepak can't reach it.
S Thakur to D Hooda, Slower ball on off, clever change of pace. Hooda adjusts to tuck it towards mid on for a run.
18.6 : S Thakur to Al Hasan, Well outside off, placed through point for a single.
19.1 : D Bravo to Al Hasan, Overpitched ball outside off, Shakib hammers it towards long off to rotate strike.
19.2 : D Bravo to D Hooda, Angling into Hooda. He is cramped for room and can only place it towards mid off for a single.
19.3 : D Bravo to Al Hasan, FOUR! Right in the slot and treated with disdain! Full delivery on the pads, Shakib heaves it over the leaping backward square leg fielder for a boundary.
It has started raining. Meanwhile, third man comes in.
19.4 : D Bravo to Al Hasan, Full and fired in on the pads, Shakib fails to hit it away and is hit on the pads. A slight appeal for an LBW is turned down. Shakib looks to sneak in a run but Bravo is quick to deny him.
19.5 : D Bravo to Al Hasan, Slower ball outside off, Shakib slashes but misses. Two dots in a row, worth in gold at this stage.
19.6 : D Bravo to Al Hasan, Very full around off, Shakib can only jam it to long on and hares back for the second run. HYDERABAD FINISH ON 179/4!
Hyderabad will be pretty happy with the total they have posted. In the first half of the innings, their batsmen were not quite being able to time the ball well. However, Dhawan and Williamson played sensibly and provided themselves a good foundation. The onslaught took place after the 10th over. Both of them stamped their authority and started finding the boundaries at will. A century partnership put them on a high.
After the departure of the duo, the hosts pulled things back a bit but still, they didn't find the right lines and lengths as consistently as they would have liked to. Deepak Chahar was brilliant upfront and finished with figures of 4-0-16-1. Thakur was decent as well and picked up two wickets. Chennai have a strong batting line-up but they face a daunting task against the best bowling side in the tournament. Join us shortly.
0.0 : Welcome back. Hyderabad team is in a huddle and the Chennai openers, Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu come out to bat. Sandeep Sharma will begin the proceedings with the ball. He generates a lot of swing upfront. Can he strike early for Hyderabad? Here we go...
0.1 : S Sharma to S Watson, Starts with a fuller length ball outside off, Watson punches it through the covers, fielder dives but the ball is well wide of him. Couple to start the innings.
0.2 : S Sharma to S Watson, Pitches it further up and swings it away. Watson reaches out for it and mistimes the drive to the mid off region.
0.3 : S Sharma to S Watson, FOUR! Fine shot from Watson! Length ball by Sandeep Sharma outside off and Watson punches it square wide of the man at point. Manish's dive goes in vain. First boundary for Watson and Chennai.
0.4 : S Sharma to S Watson, Fullish delivery closer to the off stump, Watson pushes it back past the bowler. The ball rolls to mid off.
0.5 : S Sharma to S Watson, Defensive push from Watson towards the mid on region. He finds the fielder.
0.6 : S Sharma to S Watson, Sliding on the leg stump line and Watson milks it for a single by flicking it to mid-wicket. Decent start from Sandeep Sharma, it was a good over barring the third ball.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will share the new ball.
1.1 : B Kumar to S Watson, Kumar starts with a full pitched delivery on the stumps, Watson waits back and defends it down the track.
1.2 : B Kumar to S Watson, SIX! BANG! Super strike from Shane Watson! Shortish delivery, doesn't rise enough and Watto pulls that one off the front foot over wide long on for a maximum. 77 meter strike. 3000 runs in the Indian T20 League for Shane Watson, he has been a prolific all-rounder right from the start.
1.3 : B Kumar to S Watson, Watson goes hard at a wide delivery and he gets an under edge wide of the keeper who dives full length to his left. Goswami makes a good stop.
1.4 : B Kumar to S Watson, Good length ball outside off, the batsman waits back and dabs it square on the off side.
1.5 : B Kumar to S Watson, Watson sits on the back foot and chops it behind point. They cross over.
1.6 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Bowls a seam up delivery which moves away a little, Rayudu didn't pick it and gets a thick outside edge as he defends. The ball rolls away to the third man fielder.
2.1 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Doesn't give any room to the batsman and Rayudu is forced to defend off the back foot.
2.2 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Fuller length ball on the stumps, Rayudu lunges on the front foot to defend that. The ball goes off the inner half to the mid-wicket region.
2.3 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Bowls a pitched up delivery on off, Rayudu pushes it to the cover region.
2.4 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Takes pace off it and Rayudu knocks it to mid-wicket. Takes off for a quick single and makes it easily.
2.5 : S Sharma to S Watson, SIX! Slower ball down the leg side and Watson crouches low. Heaves it well over the square leg fence for a biggie.
2.6 : S Sharma to S Watson, SIX! Even better! Poor delivery from Sandeep though, drops it short on the stumps and Watson whacks it flat-batted over mid-wicket for half a dozen.
Hyderabad's seamers aren't getting swing, there was plenty earlier in the game but it has got quite cooler and it isn't helping the visiting team.
3.1 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Fuller length ball on off, Rayudu pushes it to the cover region.
3.2 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, SIX. High and handsome! Rayudu joins the fun! Full pitched delivery from Kumar, Rayudu steps out to it and lofts it cleanly inside out over covers for maximum.
3.3 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Superb delivery from Kumar! That one hits the seam and straightens a bit, Rayudu had no clue to it, he is beaten neck and crop.
3.4 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Rayudu goes down the track and mistimes the drive to the right of man at mid on for a single.
3.5 : B Kumar to S Watson, Short of a length ball on the stumps, Watson gets right behind it and defends it down the track.
3.6 : B Kumar to S Watson, Watson looks to defend that, he gets an inside edge on the pads. The ball rolls on the off side and they take a run.
Rashid Khan comes into the attack.
4.1 : R Khan to S Watson, Friendly full toss from Rashid, Watson goes too hard at it as he looks to slog it. Mistimes it to wide long on for a single.
4.2 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Pushes it quicker through the air, Rayudu goes right back and chops it to point.
4.3 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Faster leg break on the stumps, Rayudu guides it behind the wicket on the off side.
4.4 : R Khan to A Rayudu, FOUR! Nice sweep from Rayudu! Loopy ball on the off stump line, Rayudu sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Rinku Singh (sub) in the deep runs across to his left and dives but fails to stop that .
4.5 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Tosses it full on the middle and leg stump line, Rayudu punches it to deep mid-wicket. Single taken.
4.6 : R Khan to S Watson, Watson gets towards the pitch of the delivery and drills to long on for a single.
Shakib Al Hasan has the ball. Can he break the opening stand?
5.1 : Al Hasan to S Watson, FOUR! Poor effort from Siddarth! Fires it full down the leg side and Watson glances to short fine leg, Kaul runs across and dives over the ball. Concedes a boundary.
5.2 : Al Hasan to S Watson, Arm ball from Shakib, angles in from outside off. Watson backs away to cut that but mistimes it on the off side.
5.3 : Al Hasan to S Watson, Darts this on the leg stump line and Shane tucks it on the leg side for a single.
5.4 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, SIX! Bold shot from Rayudu, brings up the 50-run opening stand with Shane Watson in grand style! Loopy ball on the stumps from Shakib, he steps out to it and lofts it cleanly over the long off fence.
5.5 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, Flatter ball, Rayudu steps out and taps it on to the leg side.
5.6 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, Uses his wrists and works it wide of the man at mid-wicket. They take a single. Excellent start for Chennai, they have bossed the Powerplay.
Siddarth Kual comes into the attack.
6.1 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, FOUR! Well struck! Rayudu puts pressure on the young man straightaway. Short of a length ball on the off stump line from Kaul, Rayudu pulls it over mid-wicket.
6.2 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, SIX! Just clears the the long on fence! Good length ball and Rayudu dances down the track. Slaps it to long on, he just manages to clear the lurking fielder in the deep.
6.3 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Dabs it behind point, the ball rolls to squarish third man. They take two more.
6.4 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Bowls a pacy delivery, short and angling into the body, Rayudu is cramped for room and just manages to defend it dead on the track.
6.5 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, FOUR! Wow! That is a fantastic straight drive from Rayudu! Full pitched delivery in the slot and the batsman powers it back past the bowler. The ball speeds it away to the long off fence.
6.6 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Good length ball outside off, the batsman lets it go.
7.1 : Al Hasan to S Watson, The arm ball, on middle and leg, Watson goes back to punch it through the off side but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards square leg. A single taken.
7.2 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, A tad short, punched down to long on for a run.
7.3 : Al Hasan to S Watson, Misses out. Short and fast, on middle and leg. Watto looks to pull, getting down on a knee but misses and is hit on the pads.
7.4 : Al Hasan to S Watson, FOUR! THRASH! Not this time! Two mistakes seldom go unpunished. Watson ensures that. Gets another short ball and this time he rocks back and kaboom. Pulls it wide of mid-wicket and splits the fielders in the deep.
7.5 : Al Hasan to S Watson, Sensible. Goes back and punches this through the covers for a single.
7.6 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, Comes down the track and pushes it towards long off for a run.
Rashid Khan changes ends.
8.1 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Short and outside off, Rayudu slices it straight to short third man.
8.2 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Fuller and straighter on off, Ambati pushes it towards covers and sets off for a quick single. Makes it easily.
8.3 : R Khan to S Watson, Ummm.... the googly outside off, Watson gets down and looks to mow that but signals that a month in advance. Misses.
8.4 : R Khan to S Watson, This time he works it around the corner on the leg side for a single.
8.5 : R Khan to A Rayudu, FOUR! Poor bowling from the usually consistent Rashid. Too short, outside off, Rayudu goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
8.6 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Outside off, pushed towards point for nothing.
Time for a breather. The Strategic break, as they say. Chennai are off to a flier - understatement? You bet. 97 needed. 66 balls remaining. 9 people sitting in the dugout who can be allowed to bat in the middle. Whom would you put your money on?
Sandeep Sharma is back on.
9.1 : S Sharma to S Watson, Good effort, but nearly messes it up. Full and outside off, Watson lofts this over mid off and sets off for a single. Alex Hales was the fielder - believes my colleague here and I usually don't go to argue with him - runs to his left, dives but then fumbles, tumbles and eventually concedes the second.
9.2 : S Sharma to S Watson, A short ball, bread and butter for Watto at this time of the day, when it is nice to have some snacks. He pulls it ferociously but straight to the man at deep square leg. Only a single.
9.3 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, Rayudu drives it towards long off for a run.
9.4 : S Sharma to S Watson, Excellent fielding! 'Leg spinners are good fielders', says the on-air commentator. Definitely here, Rashid has proved him right. Watson punches this through the covers and it stays good, till Rashid Khan reaches the ball, dives to his right and stops it with his left hand. Brilliant. Two runs taken.
9.5 : S Sharma to S Watson, How did that miss the stumps? Tell me when you come to know the answer. A long hop, Watto looks to pull but the ball stays low and goes just over the stumps...
9.6 : S Sharma to S Watson, FOUR! What a shot. On a length outside off, Watson punches this through point and finds the boundary! Half century for Watson. Just his second this season. Strange, isn't it? Thought he had more. His first after 11 innings against this particular opposition.
Siddarth Kaul is back on.
10.1 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, A short ball, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
10.2 : S Kaul to S Watson, A short delivery which has been pulled away. They pick up a single.
10.3 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, SIX! THUMP! Half century for Rayudu now! Both the openers are killing this chase now. A short ball, on middle and off, Rayudu pulls this massively and clears the mid-wicket fence with ease!
10.4 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Excellent yorker, following the batsman on middle and leg, Ambati just about manages to dig it out.
10.5 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, FOUR! GLORIOUS! What a shot. Not a bad ball at all. Fuller in length, just outside off. But what does Rayudu do? Backs away and drives this inside out through the covers!
10.6 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Adil Rashid time.
11.1 : R Khan to A Rayudu, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
11.2 : R Khan to A Rayudu, SIX! Up, up and away! Tossed up outside off, Rayudu gets under the ball and lofts it miles over Alex Hales at long off!
11.3 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
11.4 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Goes back and works this through the square leg region for a single.
11.5 : R Khan to S Watson, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
11.6 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Around off, defended to the off side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back on. He needs to strike here. This match is slipping away fast...
12.1 : B Kumar to S Watson, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
12.2 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a brace now.
12.3 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Ouch. That would have hurt. A short ball, on middle, Ambati looks to pull but misses and is hit on the tummy.
12.4 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, SIX! THUNDEROUS! What a shot. Really audacious. A short ball on middle, Rayudu comes down the track and pulls it over mid-wicket for a flat hit!
12.5 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Now he works this wide of mid-wicket for a single.
12.6 : B Kumar to S Watson, FOUR! Runs everywhere! A short ball, on leg stump, pulled with disdain through mid-wicket for a boundary! 14 from that over!!!
13.1 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, SIX! THWACK! He has got enough on that. A nothing ball. Short and no pace at all. Down the track comes Rayudu, as if to make a statement. Swings this over mid-wicket and in spite of hitting this against the wind, clears the boundary!
13.2 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, Nice bowling. Senses that Ambati will comes down the track and fires it wide outside off. But the batsman is good enough, puts bat to ball and drives it straight to cover.
Is he gone? Watson seems to be lumbering... towards the pavilion. Is he run out? Referred upstairs...
13.3 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, OUT! Watson can continue walking towards the pavilion. That is a goner. Is he tired? Or has he done something serious? Cannot say right now. Full and outside off, Rayudu drives this through the covers and sets off for a single. Seems to be a pretty comfortable one but Watson is slow, very, very slow. He just jogs across to the other end and in the meanwhile, Kane Williamson puts in a good throw to the keeper who disturbs the bails. It is referred upstairs and replays
Suresh Raina comes in at number 3, for say... final duties? Or is there a twist around the corner?
13.4 : Al Hasan to S Raina, On middle, eased down to long on for a single.
13.5 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. One run added to the total.
13.6 : Al Hasan to S Raina, One more run in the region of long on. Terrific comeback from Shakib after going for a six on the first ball. 3-0-27-0 are his figures so far.
Sandeep Sharma is back on.
14.1 : S Sharma to S Raina, OUT! Now, now, now - are we on to something here? Williamson again. A short ball, on middle, Raina looks to pull but the ball gets big on him. It results in a top edge which goes straight up in the air. Kane Williamson runs to his left from mid off and takes a good diving catch. Raina comes and goes - The equation now - 43 from 35...
0.0 : MS Dhoni walks in now.
14.2 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a single.
14.3 : S Sharma to MS Dhoni, Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.
14.4 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, Very full, swinging in, pushed through mid on for one more.
14.5 : S Sharma to MS Dhoni, WIDE. A slower bouncer, on middle, Dhoni just lets it pass. Why didn't he pull? Didn't need to. Sailed well over his head.
S Sharma to MS Dhoni, On middle and leg, worked through the leg side for a single.
Final break of the match. Chennai will have to lose it themselves to end on the wrong side of the game. 37 needed from 30 is usually done but you never know with Hyderabad. They might even defend 5 runs in 5 overs. Just kidding... but they will make Chennai sweat if Dhoni falls soon...
14.6 : S Sharma to A Rayudu, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
15.1 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, On middle and leg, flicked away wide of long on for a single.
15.2 : Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, DROPPED! Oh dear... oh dear... you never do that... not at any stage of the game but DEFINITELY NOT at this juncture!!! Manish Pandey is the culprit. Dhoni comes down the track and swings it towards long on. Manish Pandey is the fielder there, gets ready for the catch, but takes it and plop! Puts it down! A single taken.
15.3 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
15.4 : Al Hasan to MS Dhoni, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
15.5 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, SIX! What a shot. Full toss and outside off, Rayudu comes down the track and slaps it over long off. Clears the ropes!!!
15.6 : Al Hasan to A Rayudu, FOUR! TONK! Full and on off, Rayudu comes down the track and slaps it straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary! 14 from that over, Shakib finishes with figures of 4-0-41-0!!!
Rashid Khan is back on.
16.1 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Full and wide outside off, squeezed towards short third man.
16.2 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Similar ball, similar shot, this time it is pushed wide of short third man for a single.
16.3 : R Khan to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a run.
16.4 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Full and outside off, MS blasts it straight back. 'PAKAD!' shouts Goswami from behind the stumps. But Rashid smartly moves away from the missile and allows Dhoni to collect a single.
16.5 : R Khan to A Rayudu, A short ball, Ambati heaves it towards long on for one.
16.6 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Full and outside off, driven towards cover.
Siddarth Kaul is back on.
17.1 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, A high full toss on middle, swatted towards long on for a single.
17.2 : S Kaul to MS Dhoni, A yorker length, outside off, driven towards long off for a run.
17.3 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, A high full toss outside off, punched through the covers for one more. Ambati asks for a no ball from the square leg umpire, but is denied.
17.4 : S Kaul to MS Dhoni, A low full toss outside off, Dhoni drives it towards long off for one.
A change in field. A backward square leg has been kept in place...
17.5 : S Kaul to A Rayudu, Full and outside off, chipped over cover for a run.
17.6 : S Kaul to MS Dhoni, SIX! VIOLENCE! A string of full tosses and Kaul eventually pays for one. On middle, Dhoni swings it into oblivion into the square leg fence!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the 19th over. Rayudu needs 2 for his century. Chennai need 8...
18.1 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, Outside off, Rayudu slices hard but misses.
18.2 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, TOP EDGE, BUT SAFE! A short ball outside off, Rayudu swings hard but gets a top edge which does not carry to third man! A single taken. Moves to 99!
18.3 : B Kumar to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Chennai won't mind but Rayudu will! 3 needed to win now! A length ball down the leg side, Dhoni just flicks it behind square leg for a boundary!
18.4 : B Kumar to MS Dhoni, Outside off, on a length, MS waits for the ball to come to him and steers it to third man for a single.
Rayudu on 99... will he get it?
18.5 : B Kumar to A Rayudu, THERE IT IS! Maiden League hundred, forget that, maiden T20 hundred for Rayudu! A magnificent effort. This is the fourth hundred overall this season and three have come against Hyderabad! On a length on middle, Rayudu works it through square leg and gets the necessary single! How will MS finish it off now?
18.6 : B Kumar to MS Dhoni, No fuss. No six. Just a calm flick behind square leg for a simple single. Not quite adhering to the crowd's request for a biggie. CHENNAI WIN BY 8 WICKETS!!!
Second match in a row, have we seen a big target being chased down with consummate ease. When you score 179, on a sluggish track, 9 out of 10 times you win. This was that other 1 game.
Masterful chase from Chennai. The openers set the platform with a 134-run stand and that paved the way for the win. Watson was typically brutal early on and then Rayudu matched him shot for shot. Hyderabad then sniffed a chance of a comeback with a couple of quick wickets but Rayudu and Dhoni ensured there were no more hiccups.
For a change, the best bowling attack of the tournament suffered. They never got their lines and lengths right from the start and Watson made them pay. Crucially, Rashid Khan was played out, without any wickets and the rest simply struggled. Even the highly consistent Bhuvi and the impressive Kaul suffered.
Earlier in the day, Hyderabad made a tremendous recovery after starting slowly on a sluggish pitch. Dhawan's 79 and Williamson's 51 took them to a commanding 179. What probably hurt Hyderabad was the rain which came towards the end of the first innings. After it came and went, the swing disappeared and the pitch became a good one to bat on as well.
Ambati Rayudu has been named the Man Of The Match for his terrific century. Not the least surprising, especially when he has scored more than half the team's runs. His form has been vital to Chennai's success this season.
Like bad things, all good things need to come to an end. Hyderabad's 6-match winning streak has come to an end while Chennai move a step closer to the playoffs. 8 wins they have now, with a tally of 16 points. How will that effect Mumbai and Rajasthan? They would have hoped that Hyderabad win. Anyways, they will now battle against each other at the Wankhede in a few minutes' time. Hop on to that game! See ya there!