An all-around effort by the Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad helped them edge out fighting SunRisers Hyderabad by 4 runs in the Indian Premier League match on Sunday. Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan’s late onslaught had given the home team some hope and Rashid Khan almost took them through in a nerve-shredding match, but it was Dwayne Bravo, who held the nerve to seal it for CSK. The West Indian all-rounder was bowling the last over when the home team needed 19 off it to win. It went down to 10 off two balls when the Chennai skipper himself had to walk down to the bowler to change his plan. “Wanted him to change the plan,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
“At times even the best – Bravo – need a bit of advice. That’s what they’re paid for. What’s important is you make mistakes and learn. In league stages you can afford to do that,” he added.
It was Ambati Rayudu’s late assault that powered CSK to a daunting total of 182/3 in 20 overs. The Man-of-the-Match scored 79 off just 37 balls which included 9 fours and 4 big sixes. Skipper Dhoni too heaped high praise on the batsman.
Dhoni also had a word of praise for fast bowler Deepak Chahar.
“Deepak swings the ball and lends balance with his batting down the order. Shardul had a few bad games. Last international series wasn’t good for him. But he has the right attitude and also the variations,” he said.
Prasanta Patnaik