Sunrisers Hyderabad break Chennai curse with 5-wicket win
Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a much-needed five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in Chennai, marking their first-ever victory against the hosts at this venue in the IPL. Chasing a modest target of 155, SRH reached 155 for 5, riding on Ishan Kishan's 44 and a composed, unbeaten 32 off 22 balls from Kamindu Mendis, whose all-round performance proved pivotal. The victory was crafted through a blend of clever bowling and timely fielding, alongside a steady chase that managed to withstand CSK's spirited defence on a tricky pitch.
Batting first, CSK were put under pressure early as Mohammed Shami dismissed the opener with the very first ball. However, Ayush Mhatre, the 17-year-old prodigy playing just his second IPL innings, showed immense composure and shot-making ability. His flurry of boundaries through the off-side gave CSK some momentum in the opening overs, helping them to 37 for 1 after four. But SRH quickly adapted their tactics by digging the ball into the pitch, forcing Mhatre and Sam Curran to play on the leg side, where they struggled to find rhythm.
Harshal Patel initiated this plan with brilliant execution, nearly dismissing Mhatre before Curran succumbed to the trap by holing out to deep midwicket. Soon after, Pat Cummins removed Mhatre, who drilled a catch to mid-off, leaving CSK reeling at 50 for 3. The start, though promising, didn’t sustain the momentum. The introduction of Dewald Brevis, brought in for Rachin Ravindra, injected brief flair into the innings. Brevis, often called 'Baby AB', showed his shot-making prowess by smashing Kamindu Mendis for three sixes in one over and dispatching a slower bouncer from Harshal over extra cover.
However, Brevis' innings ended in dramatic fashion. Attempting a second six off Harshal, he mistimed his shot slightly. Kamindu, stationed inside the long-off boundary, sprinted and launched himself to complete a sensational two-handed catch mid-air, securing the ball in his right hand. It was a moment that likely stood out as the catch of the tournament. From that point, SRH tightened the screws. Cummins bowled overs 16 and 18 without conceding a boundary, relentlessly hitting hard Test-match lengths and extracting subtle movement to keep the batters in check. Harshal added more damage by getting the better of MS Dhoni, who sliced one to backward point. With no powerful finish in sight, CSK were restricted to 154.
Chennai’s bowlers didn’t go down without a fight. Khaleel Ahmed, who has had an impressive powerplay record this season, struck in his first over, removing Abhishek Sharma and matching Mohammed Siraj's eight wickets in the first six overs. Anshul Kamboj, brought in for R Ashwin, delivered a smart spell, using a packed off-side field to trap Travis Head into playing across the line repeatedly. Kamboj struck timber eventually, removing Head and maintaining control through disciplined line and length.
Ishan Kishan, who hadn’t crossed 17 since his century in SRH’s opening game, looked determined but was never fluent. The innings was labored, with runs coming at just about a run-a-ball. After Klaasen fell trying to up the ante against Jadeja, the onus was on Kishan and Aniket Verma. The CSK spinners applied significant pressure, maintaining tight lines and exploiting the dry surface. Just when Kishan seemed to be breaking free, Curran pulled off an excellent catch at deep midwicket to end his innings on 44. Verma, who had played aggressively, hitting a couple of sixes, soon fell to Noor Ahmad for 19, leaving SRH needing 49 off the final 6.1 overs.
Despite the tension, Kamindu Mendis displayed remarkable composure. With conditions favoring spin and grip still present on the pitch despite the dew, Kamindu chose the right moments to counterattack. His unbeaten 32 from 22 balls, alongside some sensible support from the lower order, took SRH past the target with five wickets in hand.
For SRH, the win is not just a morale boost, but potentially a turning point in what has been a stuttering campaign. Their combination of precise middle-overs bowling, athletic fielding, and clutch batting allowed them to overcome a tenacious CSK team who now face the concern of a fourth home defeat this season. While young talents like Mhatre and Brevis offered CSK fans glimpses of hope, their overall struggles with both bat and ball continue to impact their standings in the tournament.
