It was a forgettable night for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 as they slumped to their second straight loss, this time against SunRisers Hyderabad. Batting first, none of the CSK batters, barring the exception of Shivam Dube, could get going. They could manage only 165/5 in 20 overs. In Reply, SRH got off to a flying start, thanks to some massive hitting by Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. In fact, they slammed the fastest team 50 in IPL history in 3.3 overs.
SRH chased down the target in 18.1 overs losing just four wickets. In the fifth over of SRH innings, CSK pacer Deepak Chahar appeared like attempting to run out Aiden Markram at the non-striker's end. He stopped before delivering but Markram didn't leave his crease.
The decision was not taken in good stead by social media users.
Talking about the match, Chennai Super Kings fluffed their lines during their batting innings and then were struck by a tornado named Abhishek Sharma whose 37 off 12 balls put Sunrisers Hyderabad on course of their comfortable six-wicket victory against the defending champions in an IPL match on Friday.
The SRH bowlers were very disciplined while restricting CSK to 165 for 5 in 20 overs with only 37 being scored off last five overs.
If 37 off last five was a poor effort from CSK, young southpaw Abhishek, who is having a great tournament, also scored 37 but off only 12 deliveries with four sixes to lay the platform. Aiden Markram then anchored a run chase with a 36-ball 50 as SRH knocked off the runs in just 18.1 overs.
His 60-run stand with opener Travis Head (31 off 24 balls) for the second wicket in seven overs after Abhishek pummeled a listless Mukesh Chaudhary, playing his first game, for 27 runs. The match as a contest ended then and there as CSK lost two away matches on trot while SRH have now won both their home games. CSK had a chance first up but Moeen Ali dropped Head off the second delivery bowled by Deepak Chahar.
After that it was mayhem as 23-year-old Abhishek hit two fours and three sixes off Mukesh, who was forced selection in absence of Mustafizur Rahaman, who has taken a one-match break to go home and submit his US visa application. Playing his first competitive game after 16 months, Mukesh was all over the place in his only over and will again warm the benches from next game when Mustafizue comes back.
With PTI inputs