IPL 2021, SRH vs CSK: MS Dhoni Finishes In Style vs SRH As CSK Sail Into Play-Offs

Chennai Super Kings produced a convincing performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad to maintain their remarkable consistency this season and sail into the Indian Premier League play-offs in Sharjah on Thursday.

Chennai Super Kings produced a convincing performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad to maintain their remarkable consistency this season and sail into the Indian Premier League play-offs in Sharjah on Thursday. The bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood (3/24) and Dwayne Bravo (2/17), restricted SRH to 134 for seven after MS Dhoni opted to bowl on a slow surface. Chasing the total, in-form openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (45 off 38) and Faf du Plessis (41 off 36) shared a sublime 75-run stand to give CSK an ideal start. A mini collapse in the middle overs made the chase interesting before CSK got the job done in 19.4 overs with Dhoni (14 not out off 11) hitting the winning six and bringing back memories of his heydays.

The three-time former champions thus ended the chase, scoring 139 for four, for a convincing six-wicket win.

With their fourth win in as many games since the tournament's resumption, CSK showed not making the play-offs last season was just a blip in their successful IPL history.

The Sharjah pitch, which produced high-scoring games last year, has been a complete contrast this season with its slow nature making stroke making difficult.

Batting in the second innings got easier with the fast-rising Gaikwad displaying supreme skills.