IPL 2022: SRH vs CSK Review – Chennai openers dominate Hyderabad
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sensational 99 off 57 backed an equally classy 85* off 55 from Devon Conway headlined Chennai Super Kings’ 13-run victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MCA Stadium in Pune as MS Dhoni made a victorious captaincy comeback.
There were innings of note played from the opponents as well, especially Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 33-ball 64, but that was not enough to surpass a stiff 202 that the Super Kings mustered after being inserted to bat.
The record 182-run Conway-Gaikwad stand kept SRH bowlers in search of their first wicket until as late as the 18th over when T Natarajan got Gaikwad caught only one short of what would have been a sensational century. However, the superlative partnership meant CSK expectedly managed to breach the 200-run mark.
SRH started their chase rather positively, with both Abhishek Sharma and Kane Williamson getting off the blocks quickly with regular boundaries in the powerplay, but the team was pegged back by two consecutive strikes by Mukesh Choudhary, who removed Abhishek (39 off 24) only a ball before sending back Rahul Tripathi for a golden duck.
Williamson, who mustered 47 off 37 before being trapped lbw by Dwaine Pretorious, kept his team in the hunt alongside Aiden Markram, however, the real threat was imposed by Pooran, who took the attack to the opposition bowlers, belting six sixes and three fours in his 64-run knock.
Having already got one double-wicket over earlier, Choudhary returned in the 18th to emulate the same as he removed Shashank Singh and Washington Sundar to swing the momentum of the game towards his team as he finished with 4/46.
Top performers of the match
Ruturaj Gaikwad
It was difficult to take eyes off Gaikwad, who roared back into form with a near century. The right-hander displayed his full range of shots, smashing six fours and as many sixes in his match-winning knock.
Devon Conway
While Choudhary did return with four wickets, Conway’s knock alongside Gaikwad eventually proved to be the decisive factor in the game. Conway played the second fiddle to his partner and batted sensibly before going after the bowlers to start a double-ended attack.
What next for the two teams?
Chennai Super Kings will next face Royal Challengers Bangalore at Pune’s MCA Stadium on May 4, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will be up against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium on May 5.
