IPL 2018: Match 46, CSK v SRH: Chennai Return to Winning Ways Courtesy Ambati Rayudu's Ton

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally returned to winning ways with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It was a brilliant batting performance by Chennai while chasing down a stiff target. Ambati Rayudu scored an unbeaten century and was ably supported by Shane Watson at the top.

Courtesy openers partnership Chennai reached the target of 180 with utmost comfort in the end.

Earlier in the day, it was brilliant knock from Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson respectively which propelled Hyderabad to a competitive total of 179 runs in 20 allotted overs.

The duo continued their terrific streak of form and again stitched a sensational partnership of 123 runs for the second wicket.

However, the Chennai bowlers bounced back strongly in the back end – to restrict Hyderabad 179 in their allotted 20 overs.

It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the toss and opted to field. Dhawan struck some gorgeous shots, to begin with.

However, comeback man Deepak Chahar bowled a sensational spell and troubled all the batsmen on a consistent basis. He bagged the wicket of Alex Hales in his second over. Chahar defeated the bat of Williamson on several occasions. But, he ended up conceding 10 runs in his final over.

The second-wicket partnership between Dhawan and Williamson slowly started gaining in confidence. Both played some terrific shots and the Chennai bowlers were feeling the pain.

Willamson was a little late to start off. On the other hand, Dhawan continued playing a huge array of shots which got Chennai off guard. Willamson also joined in the party in style.

However, both the set batsmen fell at the same score which pegged back to Hyderabad. From there on, Chennai bowlers tightened the noose on Hyderabad batsmen. It was really tight bowling which didn’t allow Hyderabad to get past the 180 mark.

Shardul Thakur was the pick of the Chennai bowlers who bagged two for 32 in his four-over spell. Chahar also bowled quite brilliantly returning with figures of one for 16 in four overs.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Match 47, Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals – Toss Report

Chasing a relatively stiff target, Chennai got off to a brilliant start. This is what the doctor ordered the hosts. Both openers Rayudu and Watson looked in complete control of proceeding from the outset.

The duo smashed the Hyderabad bowlers all around the park and never really allowed them to control the game.

Despite Hyderabad being the best bowling line-up in the tournament, Rayudu and Watson took them on with utter disdain. It was a sensational piece of strokeplay by both Watson and Rayudu. The former started off with the big shots and Rayudu joined in the act as the innings progressed.

The duo shared a sensational partnership of 134 runs. Watson was dismissed in the form of a run-out. However, by then Chennai was within touching distance of the target.

CSK lost Suresh Raina pretty early but skipper Dhoni and Rayudu ensured they reached the target without the loss of any further wickets.

Rayudu went onto smash a brilliantly century. He remained unbeaten on exactly 100 while Dhoni was not out on 20 of 14 deliveries. Rayudu smashed seven fours and as many sixes during his brilliant knock off just 62 balls.

Brief Scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad 179/4 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 79, Kane Williamson 52, Shardul Thakur 2/32, Deepak Chahar 1/16)

CSK 180/2 in 19 overs (Ambati Rayudu 100*, Shane Watson 57, Sandeep Sharma 1/36)

Chennai Super Kings won by 8 wickets (with an over to spare)