IPL 6: CSK vs SRH – Heroes of the Match

The Chennai Super Kings overcame the Sunrisers from Hyderabad, who were without their key players due to the silly ban on Sri Lankan cricketers at the Chepauk, in a characteristic last over finish to seize second spot on the table tonight. It was a game which was tilted towards the hosts from the get-go, but came into the Sunrisers’ court towards the last few overs of the game, before swinging back in favour of the men in yellow at the end. Here are those who did well for their sides.

Shikhar Dhawan – Picking up where he left off

Key stats: Batting figures – 63 off 45 (10 fours)

Making a return to the cricketing pitch after a month-long injury layoff, Dhawan showed no signs of rustiness, going about his business in a regal manner. While wickets tumbled at the opposite end, Dhawan held together the Sunrisers’ innings, scoring at a brisk pace as well. He was forced off the pitch for a while after taking a sore one to the groin from Bravo, but returned to carry on with his stroke-play, helping set up a respectable total for the visitors. Will bring some much needed stability at the top of the order for the new franchise.

Ashish Reddy – A flourish to the finish

Key stats: Batting figures - 36 off 16 (2 fours, 3 sixes); Catches - 1

Walking in with the score at less than a 100, and just over 4 overs remaining, Ashish Reddy grabbed the game by the collar unlike too many of the lesser-established Indian batsmen have this year. Good, controlled hits to the fence off quality bowling saw the youngster notch up a quickfire 36 off just 16 deliveries, taking the pressure off Shikhar Dhawan in the process. Bowled a horrible last over, conceding at a quicker rate than he scored, but it never would have gone to the last over if not for his performance with the bat. One only wonders how the game might have gone if he had been promoted up the order instead of Amit Mishra, or even Sargunam.

Karan Sharma – World Class

Key stats: Bowling figures - 4.0 – 1 – 8 – 0

A maiden over in a T20 game is a rarity. A maiden over in the second innings of the game, even more so. A maiden over in the 16th of the second innings, with over 10 runs required per over is possibly something which had never been bowled before. Not anymore. Karan Sharma, with his fantastic leg-breaks, kept the Sunrisers in the game for much longer than they should really have with the bowling performance from the other bowlers. Definitely one to watch out for.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni - Mr. Dependable

Key stats: Batting figures - 67 off 37 (7 fours, 4 sixes); Catches - 1

Words aren’t sufficient to describe the regularity with which India’s captain destroys the opposition. Time after time, he has stepped up to the task when called upon, and tonight was no different as he took his side home with some merciless hitting. Even when Bravo and Jadeja wasted balls at the other end, and eventually fell, Dhoni kept his cool to make the most of the extra life given to him, and finished the game with aplomb. Amit Mishra dropping an easy catch which might have changed the game entirely will be talked about for a long, long time.