Dhoni dashes Dhawan return
A characteristically quickfire half-century from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni carried the Chennai Super Kings to a five-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Thursday's Indian Premier League fixture in Chepauk.
A characteristically quickfire half-century from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni carried the Chennai Super Kings to a five-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Thursday's Indian Premier League fixture in Chepauk.
Dhoni was the hero for the home side, hitting an unbeaten 67 from 37 deliveries to steer the Super Kings to their target of 160 with two balls to spare.
Michael Hussey made 45 at the start of the Chennai run chase, including sharing a 67-run stand for the first wicket with fellow opener Murali Vijay (18).
However both well-set batsmen fell to leg-spinner Amit Mishra, with the same bowler also dismissing Suresh Raina for 16 to leave the Super Kings in a spot of bother at 99-3.
Dwayne Bravo laboured for 16 balls to make seven but Dhoni upped the tempo perfectly yet again. Needing 14 off the last over bowled by Ashish Reddy, the wicketkeeper-batsman duly finished the contest in style, hitting a six from the second ball before following it up with two boundaries.
It was tough on Reddy to be on the wrong end of the India captain's assault, having earlier impressed himself with the bat in the Sunrisers' total of 159-6.
Shikhar Dhawan marked his debut for the IPL's newest franchise with 63 not out, though he initially had to retire hurt with the score on 83-4. The India international returned in the closing overs to reach his half-century.
Mishra was strangely promoted up the order but mustered 15 from 21 balls, leaving Hyderabad needing a big finish to get themselves up to a competitive total.
They duly got it from Reddy, who hammered three sixes and two fours to make 36 not out from only 16 balls. However, he couldn't match his late heroics with the bat when he was handed the ball for the final over, meaning the Super Kings reign again.
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