Published: Apr 25, 2013, 09:41 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 25, 2013, 09:41 PM (IST)
Shikhar Dhawan scored 63 off 45 deliveries © PTI
Chennai: Apr 25, 2013
The menace of the moustache-twirling Southpaw resurfaced and this time against his own national team captain, MS Dhoni. Shikhar Dhawan, who returned after nursing a thumb injury, scored a vital half-century while Ashish Reddy played a cameo to take the visitors to 159 for six in 20 overs.
Chennai started outstandingly well in the field when Murali Vijay took a good diving catch at covers to send Quinton de Kock back to the hut. Suresh Raina followed that up with a brilliant effort to effect a run out that brought an early end to Hanuma Vihari’s stay in the middle. The Sunrisers were reeling at 12 for two.
The Chennai bowlers put tremendous pressure early on and it seemed like a familiar script with the bat for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. It took three overs for Dhawan to find his feet but he did it with a lovely shot off his front foot through deep square leg to kickstart his innings. He brought back memories of his sublime timing and controlled aggression from his Test debut against Australia at Mohali early this year.
Despite the two early wickets, Dhawan had skipper Cameron White for company and he meant business. He took the attack to the Chennai bowlers and scored a few boundaries to keep the run flow going. But unfortunately for him, White perished in the fifth over and leave the side’s fate on the broad shoulders of the 27-year-old left-hander.
In a surprising move, Amit Mishra walked out at number five and lasted for four overs for his 15 off 21 deliveries. IPL debutant Thalaivan Sargunam provided good support to Dhawan to keep the scoreboard ticking in the middle-overs. Dhawan was looking set to change gears but an unfortunate injury off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo forced him to retire hurt.
After a couple of more wickets, Dhawan came back and played some exquisite strokes and was supported well by Ashish Reddy who scored 36 off just 16 deliveries. The last four overs fetched 59 runs as Sunrisers put up a strong total of 159.
Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 159 for 6 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 63*, Ashish Reddy 36*; Mohit Sharma 2 for 33) vs Chennai Super Kings.
(Prakash Govindasreenivasan is an Editorial consultant at CricketCountry and a sports fanatic, with a soft corner for cricket. After studying journalism for two years, came the first big high in his professional life – the opportunity to interview his hero Adam Gilchrist and talking about his magnificent 149 in the 2007 World Cup final. While not following cricket, he is busy rooting for Chelsea FC)
