Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis subject CSK to another loss

Sunrisers Hyderabad put in a clinical show to restrict CSK first to just 154 and then chased it down with five wickets in hand for a vital win. In an otherwise worrisome season, SRH finally had something to cheer as they registered their first 'away' win in IPL 2025, and also their first-ever against Chennai Super Kings on this ground. For the home team, it continued a trend of not being at home as they slipped to their fourth consecutive loss in Chepauk this season.

What made the difference?

With wickets in hand and the dew factor coming into play later on, Sunrisers Hyderabad were able to run away with the game in the end overs. What was turning out to be a tight chase was broken open in a couple of overs, and it helped that SRH had batters of the caliber of Nitish Reddy and Kamindu Mendis at the crease even after losing five wickets. They saw through the nervous period with crucial boundaries that eased SRH to victory. Mendis, earlier, had also made an impact on the field cutting short an imperious innings from Dewald Brevis with a fine catch that had helped SRH restrict CSK.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS:

Powerplay - CSK kept in check

Phase Score - 50/3 (RR: 8.33 4s/6s: 8/0 )

After a wicket first ball to Mohammed Shami, who had the young Shaik Rasheed caught at slip, CSK were put on the backfoot straightaway. Only the belligerence of Ayush Mhatre brought them some comfort inside the powerplay. The pitch was not one suited to go blindly after the bowlers and SRH did well to keep them in check largely. Mhatre's 19-ball 30 was once again the catalyst for CSK's early momentum even as they lost crucial wickets in the phase. Sam Curran, replacing Jamie Overton for the game and coming in at No. 3, did not make an impact being caught off a slower ball from Harshal Patel. Mhatre's cameo too came to an end inside the powerplay when he chipped Pat Cummins to midoff.

Middle Overs - SRH dont allow CSK to break free

Phase Score - 77/3 (RR: 8.55 ; 4s/6s: 3/5 )

Jadeja, coming in at No. 4, did not work once again for the hosts. The left-hander was dropped once before he was bowled by Kamindu Mendis for a 17-ball 21. At 74/4 near the halfway stage at this point, CSK were left searching for some power and momentum through the middle overs. Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis, making his CSK debut, were able to provide that for a brief while. The latter smashed four sixes and a four in his 25-ball 42 after a watchful start. But just as the spark was beginning to flare up, Brevis' innings was cut short by a splendid diving catch by Mendis at long off. In the following over, the other veteran Jaydev Unadkat had the better of Dube pushing CSK back once again just as they were beginning to tee off.

Death Overs - CSK limp to 154

Phase Score - 27/4 (RR: 6.0 ; 4s/6s: 1/1)

Deepak Hooda hit a couple of useful boundaries that helped CSK along but the wickets kept tumbling at one end. Harshal Patel finished with a four-wicket haul in the process as SRH bowled CSK out for 154. The middling score was a result of the slow pitch and some accurate bowling suited the surface.

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

Powerplay - SRH kept quiet

Phase Score - 37/2 (RR: 6.16; 4s/6s: 7/0)

Like CSK's innings, SRH too saw an early dismissal with Khaleel Ahmed snapping up Abhishek Sharma for a duck having him caught at cover. Ishan kishan and Travis Head managed to reverse the pressure slightly although boundary-scoring was largely difficult to come by. But just as they were beginning to build a partnership, Head was snapped by Anshul Kamboj with a delivery squeezing him on the pull and hitting the bail instead. It allowed CSK to keep a check on the run-rate and build some pressure.

Middle Overs - Little to separate the teams

Phase Score - 77/3 (RR 8.55 ; 4s/6s: 5/3)

SRH were unable to get away from CSK with regular wickets hampering the progress. Heinrich Klaasen was snapped up by Ravindra Jadeja soon after the Powerplay which gave CSK a big boost. Ishan Kishan, who had got his eye in, and was SRH's main firepower through that top-order fell against the run of play. Before that he had put on a useful 36-run stand with Aniket Verma which had made sure that SRH did not fall off track on a tough surface. But Kishan was snapped up going for a big hit against Noor Ahmad just as he began to press on the accelerator bringing CSK back in the game. Noor got the better of Verma too in his next over leaving SRH in a spot of bother heading into the finish line. They were left needing 41 in the last five overs.

Death Overs - Kamindu, Nitish clinical

Phase Score - 41/0 (RR 12.05; 4s/6s: 4/0 )

Kamindu Mendis played an useful hand hitting boundaries off both Pathirana and Noor who were CSK's go-to bowlers in the death overs. Nitish Reddy chipped in as well with some smart batting against Pathirana which also got him a couple of boundaries. Both Noor and Pathirana started conceding extras at the critical juncture which made things easier for SRH. Their unbeaten 49-run stand made the chase eventually a comfortable one.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 154 all out (Dewald Brevis 42; Harshal Patel 4-28) lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 155/5 in 18.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 44) by 5 wickets

What next?

Chennai Super Kings stay at home to take on the Punjab Kings three days later on April 30 while Sunrisers Hyderabad will travel to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans on May 02.