Chennai into Play-off With Massive Win

Hyderabad: Chennai Super Kings registered an easy 77-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad after the hosts, chasing 224, were restricted to 146/8 in their IPL clash and first team reached in Play-off.

Led by the enterprising Suresh Raina and the evergreen Michael Hussey, the Super Kings posted the highest total - 223/3 - at the venue this season.

Once the bowling was dealt a death blow, it was easy for the Super Kings to snuff out the hosts' reply. The chase was never on despite wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel beginning the innings on a rousing note when he cut pacer Mohit Sharma past point for a four.

The run out of prolific Shikhar Dhawan (3) set the Sunrisers' back. As wickets fell at one end, it was left to Patel (44; 30b, 6x4, 1x6) and Karan Sharma (39 no; 33b, 3x4, 1x6) to give the over 29,000 fans something to cheer about. The hosts ended up with 146 for eight.

For once the Hyderabad bowlers were unable to execute their game plan on the field and paid a heavy price as the Super Kings took a toll of the poor stuff dished out by the hosts.

Barring Dale Steyn (4-1-17-0), none of the others were able to make much of an impression on the visiting batsmen. Ishant Sharma, in particular, was totally off-colour and conceded 65 runs in his four overs - 25 coming off his last over - and Darren Sammy gave away 33 in two overs.

Hussey and Raina strung a 133-run partnership for the second wicket off 73 balls which knocked the wind out of the Sunrisers' sails. Hussey, who has regained the Orange cap, struck five fours and four sixes off 42 balls on way to his 67 - his 5th half-century in the tournament.

Raina, who was dropped by Karan Sharma on 26, made batting look easy as he toyed with the listless attack. The southpaw missed out on a second century this season but his unbeaten 99 was worth its weight in gold.

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bowl.

Hyderabad have made no changes to their side. Chennai, on the other hand, have one difference to their team as Jason Holder came back in place of Ben Laughlin.

Teams

Sunrisers Hyderabad: PA Patel (wk), S Dhawan, KC Sangakkara (captain), GH Vihari, NLTC Perera, DJG Sammy, A Ashish Reddy, KV Sharma, A Mishra, DW Steyn, I Sharma

Chennai Super Kings: MEK Hussey, M Vijay, SK Raina, S Badrinath, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), RA Jadeja, DJ Bravo, CH Morris, R Ashwin, JO Holder, MM Sharma

Brief scores
Chennai Super Kings 223 for 3 (Raina 99*, Hussey 67)
Sunrisers Hyderabad 146 for 8 (Parthiv 44)
Result Chennai Super Kings won by 77 runs
Points Chennai Super Kings 2, Sunrisers Hyderabad 0
MOM Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)