IPL 2018: Ambati Rayudu guides Chennai Super Kings to 8-wicket win vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) snapped Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) six-match unbeaten run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and got closer to sealing a playoff spot, riding on Ambati Rayudu’s maiden century on Sunday. (CSK V SRH HIGHLIGHTS)

In front of a noisy crowd, CSK brought out their best opening stand this season of 134 between Shane Watson (57) and Rayudu (100*), responding in style to the 123-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan (79) and Kane Williamson (51) earlier in the day. (CSK V SRH SCORECARD)

This was CSK’s second century stand for the first wicket this season, whereas it was for the first time in five matches that SRH failed to defend a strong target of 180.

Sunrisers produced a fine batting show after being asked to bat, to which CSK came out all guns blazing against arguably the best bowling attack.

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Watson-Rayudu show

Watson set the tone early on when he launched an attack against Sandeep Sharma, hitting the bowler for a four in his first over followed by two sixes in his next. Rayudu picked the in-form Siddharth Kaul, hammering two fours and a six off his first over to put pressure on Sunrisers.

Watson brought up his second half-century of the season off 31 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Rayudu followed suit, again picking Kaul for a six that helped him reach his third fifty of IPL 2018, and taking CSK past the 100-run mark in the 11th over.

The partnership was broken in the 14th over when Williamson and Shreevats Goswami combined to run Watson out for a 35-ball 57.

Suresh Raina failed to make an impact as he was removed for two by Sandeep. The dismissal brought the crowd on its feet in anticipation of MS Dhoni — who had countless fans sporting his jersey — walking out.

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Manish Pandey spilled Dhoni’s catch when he stepped out against Shakib Al Hasan in the 16th over, effectively putting an end to SRH’s hopes of a late fightback.

Familiar foes hurt SRH again

Rayudu, who had earlier powered CSK to a win over SRH in their previous meeting with a 37-ball 79, smashed seven sixes and as many fours to bring up his 500th run of the season. Williamson achieved a similar feat earlier in the SRH innings.

Deepak Chahar returned to the CSK ranks and produced a brilliant spell of 4-0-16-1, moving the new ball both ways and troubling the batsmen. In their previous meeting, it was Chahar’s opening three-wicket burst that had troubled SRH at Hyderabad, the bowler ending with figures of 4-1-15-3.

SRH batsmen continue their march

Earlier, SRH set themselves up after posting 179/4 in their 20 overs. Alex Hales’ (2) early fall ensured another opportunity for the pair of Dhawan and Williamson to put up a strong partnership, and the two resumed from where they left off in Delhi a few days ago.