IPL 2018, CSK vs SRH 5 Reasons why Hyderabad lost against Chennai

A match between the table toppers saw Chennai Super Kings take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at MCA Stadium in Pune. Chennai won the toss and asked visitors to put some runs on the board.

It was a decision that paid off as the home team was able to restrict the visitors for just 179 runs despite some great recovery in the middle overs by Dhawan and Williamson.

It was too low a total to defend for SRH after the kind of start for the men in yellow in their first six overs. It was a target that always seemed less, even more, when none of the SRH bowlers could get the better of the opposition. Eventually, the visitors succumbed to defeat by 8 wickets.

Let’s take a look at some of the reason that propelled an SRH loss:

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#1 Deepak Chahar bowls a dream spell against the SRH

It seems that the young man is in love with the Orange Army. It was for the second time when he fared well against the Sunrisers with the ball. In his previous outing with the ball, be bowled his season best to strike three wickets after conceding just 15 runs in his spell of four overs.

Even in today’s encounter, he carried his confidence to dent Hyderabad with the opening wicket of Alex Hales in the powerplay itself. He was once again right on the money to just concede 16 runs and bag the prized scalp of English opener. His spell not only puts the shackles on the scoring rate but gave others a confidence to prevent the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson from going big.

#2 SRH lose their way in the death overs

After a slow start in the powerplay, the visitors somehow resurrected their dwindling innings riding on the shoulders of Dhawan and Williamson. However, it was necessary to finish big in the last few overs to leave the home team with a daunting task in hand. But things didn’t pan out the SRH way as they lost their way in the end.

In the five overs at death, Sunrisers lost their three crucial wickets to prevent them from reaching the desired target. It was another failure for Manish Pandey, who once again looked sluggish on a wicket with no demons. They even missed the services of their power hitter in Yusuf Pathan, who was rested for today’s clash, as they eventually folded out for 179 in 20 overs.

#3 Splendid start for CSK in the powerplay

A total which looked defendable at the half-way stage was made modest by the CSK openers. The duo of Watson and Rayudu didn’t show any mercy on the best attack from this season. They powered their team to a great start and mustered runs at a brisk pace.

They scored 53 runs in their first six overs without losing any wickets. It was just the beginning of things for them as much destruction was about to come from the openers. They even registered their highest opening stand this year to leave the visitors with no chance of bouncing back in the match.

#4 Rayudu registers his maiden IPL century

The form of Ambati Rayudu at the top of the order has been one of the biggest positives for the Dhoni-led CSK. He has blossomed at the top and to relish his stint so far in the tournament. He has blazed his way to prove a point and the results have come his way with an immediate selection for India’s upcoming tours.

In today’s game, the guy from Andhra Pradesh showed his class yet again to register his maiden century against the best in the business. He was class apart with his ability to hit sixes, that he has shown in this year’s IPL. His exploits against the spinners of Rashid Khan and Shakib Al-Hasan’s caliber speaks volumes of his talent.

#5 A rare off-day for Hyderabad bowlers

It was a rare sight as it eventually turned out to be an off day for Bhuvi and company. The experienced bowling attack saw themselves on the receiving end of some astonishing hitting by the CSK batters. It was a display of great batting skills that prevented SRH to execute their plans.

It was a disappointing outing as for the second consecutive time they were taken for runs. However, the last game result went their way but they were torn apart by Rishabh Pant. It is a worrying sign for the management as they look to rely on their bowlers to win them matches and would expect the experience likes to come good in the matches to follow.