MS Dhoni's return as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain worked wonders for the team. CSK registered a 13-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on May 1. The record-breaking 182-run opening partnership between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway turned out to be major difference the two teams. The massive win led to CSK improving their net run rate (NRR) considerably even though they are still placed ninth on the table.
Near-ideal start
The run chase got off to a fantastic start with Abhishek Sharma and SRH skipper Kane Williamson firing from both ends. Mukesh Choudhary got the first wicket in the sixth over. Abhishek got out after scoring 39 runs from 24 deliveries. He followed it up with another wicket. Rahul Tripathi got out for a golden duck.
Wickets at regular intervals
Aiden Markram walked out with the intention of taking on the bowlers straightaway but Mitchell Santner did not let his innings take off. Markram contributed with a 10-ball 17. Williamson could not stay till the end either and got dismissed by Dwaine Pretorius. Williamson scored 47 runs from 37 deliveries including two fours and as many sixes.
Shashank Singh, who contributed with a brilliant cameo in his debut innings against Gujarat Titans, could not do damage in the run chase. Shashank got out to Choudhary for 14-ball 15 in the 18th over. Washington Sundar did not impress either and gout bowled by the left-arm pacer.
Pooran shines in losing cause
Irrespective of the equation, Nicholas Pooran continued to hit big. In the penultimate over, he got a couple of boundaries off Pretorius. The game was over when it got to the last over. SRH needed 38 runs from the over. Pooran entertained the crowd with three sixes and one four but SRH still fell considerably short of the target. The southpaw remained unbeaten for 64 off 33 deliveries.
Sensational partnership
Put to bat first, Gaikwad and Conway did not go all guns blazing in the powerplay overs as they scored 40 runs. At first, Gaikwad accelerated by taking on Umran Malik and Markram. The Indian opener got to his half-century with a boundary off Malik's 154kmph delivery in the 10th over.
Conway went ballistic in the 15th over. The Kiwi opener targetted Marco Jansen in the 15th over. The southpaw reached his half-century from 39 deliveries with a six. Jansen leaked 20 runs in that over.
Gaikwad misses ton
In the 18th over, Gaikwad was all set to get to his second IPL century but T Natarajan dismissed him on 99. Gaikwad became the fourth batter to get out for 99 in IPL. He shared a 182-run partnership with Conway which is the highest partnership for CSK for any wicket. The 24-year-old scored 99 runs from 57 deliveries including six fours and six sixes.
Few bold moves, Conway finishes well
Dhoni promoted himself up the order. He hit Malik for a boundary in the penultimate over. However, the move did not turn out to be too fruitful as Natarajan got his wicket in the final over. He was followed by former CSK skipper Jadeja. Conway got the strike and helped CSK get to 202/2 with two boundaries against the left-arm pacer.
