IPL 2018: CSK beat SRH by four runs despite Kane Williamson's heroics
In these tight finishes, the shortcoming is rarely at the end, but in the middle. Williamson kept them in the game, but after losing three wickets in the first six overs, there was too much scoreboard pressure. One has to look at Shakib's dismissal after getting set, and Pathan's slow start, but those were one-offs. Manish Pandey's lack of fluency is a concern.
FollowThis is the Chennai Super Kings we are used to. They have managed to beat SRH in their fortress by four runs. Hyderabad lost three quick wickets (all to Deepak Chahar) but Kane Williamson (84) and Shakib Al Hasan (24) kept them in the game. Once the latter departed, Pathan joined hands with the skipper and took the game close. With 19 runs required in the final over, Bravo held his nerves to give Chennai their fourth win, and with this victory, they move to the top of the table.
In these tight finishes, the shortcoming is rarely at the end, but in the middle. Williamson kept them in the game, but after losing three wickets in the first six overs, there was too much scoreboard pressure. One has to look at Shakib's dismissal after getting set, and Pathan's slow start, but those were one-offs. Manish Pandey's lack of fluency is a concern. Shame for Williamson to not finish on the winning side despite one of his best T20 innings. SRH's blazing start eroded now, as is their home winning record.Â
SRH looked to be out of it up until the 14th over mark. But 6 sixes in the space of 14 balls and all of a sudden the pressure was on the Super Kings. However, when the situation demanded it, CSK - led by Bravo - stepped up their game and unleashed a flurry of yorkers towards the end to reign things back, hanging on by the skin of their teeth at the finish.
Chennai scored 182/3 after being sent to bat first by Hyderabad. Shane Watson got out early today, so did Faf du Plessis. However, Raina and Rayudu played very well, scoring most of Chennai's runs. Rayudu, especially, played fantastically well for his 79 from 37 balls, before getting run-out. Raina scored 54 from 43 balls while Dhoni scored 25 from 12 in the end.
SRH bowling department was at their very best as Chennai registered the lowest powerplay total of the IPL 2018 season. However, Raina and Rayudu steadied the innings and slowly changed the complexion of the match with boundaries.
CSK 182/3 (20.0 Ovs)
SRH 178/6 (20.0 Ovs)
Chennai Super Kings won by 4 runs
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Ambati Rayudu
