SRH vs CSK Ball by Ball Commentary

6:04 PM IST Right then! That is all we have from this game. Chennai become the first team to get to the playoffs and Hyderabad become the first team to get eliminated. The competition is heating up and each game becomes very important. The next clash will be between Punjab and Kolkata. Do join us for the same on 1st October at 6 pm Local (2 pm GMT). See you then! Till then, take care and goodbye.

6:21 PM IST MAN OF THE MATCH - Josh Hazlewood. He says that he is really satisfied that the hard work in training paid off today and he is learning a lot under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Mentions that the wicket of Roy was important as he can be very dangerous and that set the tone nicely. Mentions that the wicket was on the slower side and they had to adjust. He ends by saying that he is learning a lot playing with Bravo.

6:08 PM IST MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai, says that this qualification means a lot after what happened in the last season. Adds that a lot of things didn't go their way in the last season but they did not make excuses and have taken the responsibility. Mentions that the wicket was a difficult one and the bounce was a bit tricky on this surface. Praises his bowlers by saying that they adjusted well by changing their lengths and pace. Says that with a bit of dew, it got a bit easier to bat on but the bounce did not change much. Confesses that the team is very proud of the fans they have but wants them to still be humble at this stage.

5:45 PM IST Kane Williamson, the skipper of Hyderabad, says that the first half wasn't their best and the surface wasn't easy to bat on. Adds that they tried their best and they need to make minor adjustments to get over the line. Mentions that they were good with the bat in the Powerplay and the young players did put in an effort in the end but it wasn't enough and it was always going to be difficult against Chennai. Adds that the wicket was similar in both innings and Chennai are a class side and applauds them for putting on another great performance. He ends by saying that it's a tough competition and every team has their losses, they just need to pick themselves up again and keep going.

6:52 PM IST Faf du Plessis is down for a quick chat. He says that the humidity was a bit too much today. Adds that he does a lot of work before the tournament to stay fit and it helps him in running from long on to long off. Tells that the balance of their team is very good and they bat pretty deep. Adds that Moeen Ali has been a good addition to this side and Ali and Jadeja do a really good job for them in the middle overs.

6:18 PM IST Hyderabad had a low score on the board but they could have made it tough for Chennai by taking early wickets but it wasn't to be. Their first wicket came in the 11th over but by then Chennai were off to a great start. Hyderabad did pull things back a bit by taking quick wickets in the death overs but thanks to some brilliant batting at the top and some quality batting in the death, Chennai got over the line. Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers for his 3 wickets and Rashid Khan took 1. But the rest of the bowlers had a tough day.

5:35 PM IST Chennai started the chase really well with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis getting off to a flier. Gaikwad fell and then Ali hit a couple of boundaries to take them closer to the target. The wickets of Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis made things a bit interesting towards the end but Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni kept their cool and took the game deep. Rayudu hit a couple of important blows and Dhoni finished the game in his trademark style!

6:15 PM IST Chennai have done it! They are through to the playoffs! From a team that struggled in 2020, to a team that has been excellent in 2021, it has been a great turnaround by Chennai. They chased this target in the final over but it still counts as 2 points. Hyderabad tried their best in the death overs to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but it wasn't to be for them. They are officially out of the playoffs race now.

5:48 PM IST SIX! BANG! VINTAGE DHONI AT SHARJAH! Kaul comes round the wicket and hurls across a length ball, on off. Dhoni clears his front leg and sends it sailing way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum to seal the game! Chennai win the match by 6 wickets and they are into the playoffs!

5:30 PM IST Back of a length, around off. Dhoni looks to pull but it comes off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. Well, is there a twist here?

5:29 PM IST A low full toss, on off. Ambati Rayudu slices it towards sweeper cover for a run.

5:29 PM IST Kaul bangs it in short, outside off. Ambati Rayudu leaves it alone thinking it is a wide but the umpire does not signal a wide.

6:56 PM IST Siddarth Kaul to bowl the final over. Can he do a Kartik Tyagi?

5:26 PM IST Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Dhoni chops it towards cover. 3 needed from the last over.

5:26 PM IST Yorker, outside off. Pushed to covers.

5:25 PM IST FOUR! BAM! Dhoni smacks this one hard! On a length, outside off. Dhoni pulls it hard to the wide long on fence. There are fielders at long on and deep mid-wicket but they have no chance.

5:24 PM IST Length ball, outside off. Dhoni leaves it. Wide called.

5:24 PM IST Shorter ball, outside off. Ambati Rayudu cuts it to deep cover for one.

5:24 PM IST SIX! Massive strike! Kumar errs in length and gets hammered here! Length ball, on leg. Ambati Rayudu clears his front leg and whips it all the way over the mid-wicket fence. 9 from 10 now.

5:23 PM IST A yorker, on off. Dhoni works it to long on for one.

5:21 PM IST Brilliant yorker! Outside off and all that Ambati Rayudu can do is play it to point. 16 from 12 now!

5:21 PM IST FOUR! That would have eased some pressure off the batters! Length ball, outside off. Ambati Rayudu presses forward and carves it aerially through cover for a boundary.

5:19 PM IST DROPPED! Oh, dear! That would have been an absolute stunner had Jason Roy caught that! Length ball, outside off. MS Dhoni lofts it uppishly to covers. Roy puts in a dive to his right, gets his hands to it but he drops a very tough catch. A single taken.

5:18 PM IST Another dot ball! Good-length ball, angling in from off. MS Dhoni pushes it to mid off.

5:18 PM IST Good-length ball, on off. MS Dhoni pushes it to mid off.

5:17 PM IST On a length, outside off. Ambati Rayudu stays back and smashes it to sweeper cover for a single.

5:17 PM IST Siddarth Kaul (1-0-11-0) comes back into the attack.

5:16 PM IST Length ball, around off. Rayudu taps it in front of cover and scampers through for a run. 22 runs needed from 18 balls.

5:15 PM IST Good-length ball, on off. Rayudu pushes it to cover.

5:14 PM IST Excellent fielding in the deep! Good-length ball, outside off. Ambati Rayudu hangs back and cuts it hard past point. Rashid Khan runs to his left and puts in a slide to stop the ball. The batters take two.

5:13 PM IST Three dots in a row! Length ball, angling in from middle. Ambati Rayudu turns it to mid-wicket.

5:13 PM IST Good-length ball, around off. Ambati Rayudu punches it to the cover fielder.

5:12 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. MS Dhoni flicks it past mid-wicket for a run.

5:11 PM IST Back of a length, on middle. Dhoni pulls it behind square on the leg side for a run. 26 runs needed now off 24 balls.

5:10 PM IST MS Dhoni walks out to bat now.

5:10 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Jason Holder is turning this match on its head. Holder bangs in the short one around off. Faf du Plessis sways away a bit and then looks to pull. The ball hurries onto him a bit and du Plessis gets the top edge. It is skied towards short mid-wicket where Siddarth Kaul settles underneath to take a nice catch. The set du Plessis is back in the shed and can Hyderabad make more inroads into the match?

5:08 PM IST Good-length ball, around off. Rayudu nudges it towards third man for a single.

5:08 PM IST Ambati Rayudu is the new man in.

5:08 PM IST OUT! LBW! Raina has to depart early. Jason Holder follows up the short ball with the yorker. Raina plays all around a straight delivery and pays the price. The ball raps him full on the pads and Holder appeals. The umpire doesn't hesitate and raises his finger straightaway. Things are getting interesting!

5:05 PM IST Fuller ball, on the pads and clipped away to deep mid-wicket for another one.

5:04 PM IST Shorter ball, directed at the body. Raina manages to play it behind to fine leg and picks up a run.

5:03 PM IST Flatter one, on off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and punches it towards short cover. Just 2 runs and a wicket from Rashid Khan's last over.

5:02 PM IST On the pads and skidding on, Raina nudges it on the leg side and gets a single.

5:02 PM IST WIDE! Khan targets the pads again but spills it down the leg side. Wided.

5:00 PM IST OUT! BOWLED! Rashid Khan built up the pressure with those dot balls and does get the wicket of Moeen Ali. This one is flatter and quicker on middle. Ali rocks back and looks to hit across the line. The ball goes off the inside edge back onto the pads and then rolls onto the stumps. Is there still life left in this match?

5:00 PM IST Three dots on the trot. This is on the pads but Ali can't get it away. He tucks it straight to backward square leg.

4:59 PM IST This time its full and on middle. Ali heaves it straight to short mid-wicket.

4:59 PM IST Flatter one, on middle. Ali looks to flick it away but inside-edges it onto the pads.

5:02 PM IST Suresh Raina walks out to bat.

5:02 PM IST Strategic Time-Out! Chennai are cruising along nicely and it seems that they are well on the verge of becoming the first team of this season to qualify for the playoffs. Hyderabad would need a miracle at this stage to get back in the game.

4:55 PM IST Good-length ball, around off. Ali steers it to third man for another run.

4:54 PM IST Loopy full toss on the legs and du Plessis works it to deep square leg for one. He wants the second but decides against it.

4:54 PM IST Full and sliding in on leg stump. Faf du Plessis flicks it straight towards short mid-wicket.

4:53 PM IST Back of a length and around off. Du Plessis mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket.

4:52 PM IST More runs for du Plessis and the 100 is up for Chennai. Banged into the pitch and du Plessis heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for another two.

4:53 PM IST Jason Holder (2-0-17-1) comes back to bowl.

4:52 PM IST Down the leg side and du Plessis shuffles across his stumps. He paddles it fine and gets a couple down to fine leg.

4:53 PM IST Chennai are doing it easy at the moment. A fullish ball, on middle and skidding on. Faf du Plessis works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

4:50 PM IST Tossed up delivery, on off. Ali eases it down to long off for a run.

4:49 PM IST FOUR! A bad ball and Ali punishes it. A rare short ball from Khan and Ali has all the time in the world to pull it into the square leg fence.

4:49 PM IST On a length and angled in at leg stump. Ali goes on the back foot and awkwardly keeps it out.

4:49 PM IST Flatter and quicker, around off. Ali steps out and taps it to covers.

4:48 PM IST On middle and skidding on. Ali manages to keep it out.

4:48 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Hit down to long off for one.

4:47 PM IST A nice full toss, outside off. Ali drives it nicely past short cover. Rashid Khan runs across from deep cover and keeps it to a couple of runs.

4:46 PM IST Full ball, on the pads. Flicked to deep square leg for one.

4:45 PM IST Length ball, outside off. Ali goes at it with his hands but gets the inside edge. The ball goes past the leg stump and the batters take one.

4:45 PM IST Length ball, outside off. Ali punches it wide of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

4:44 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Faf du Plessis works it past mid-wicket for one.

4:44 PM IST Sandeep Sharma (2-0-10-2) is brought back into the attack.

4:44 PM IST FOUR! Beautiful shot by Ali! Short ball, outside off. He rocks back and pulls it over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

4:41 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Ali runs it to short third man.

4:41 PM IST Short again, outside off. Pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

4:40 PM IST Short of a length, on the body. Faf du Plessis pulls it to deep square leg for one.

4:39 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Ali works it past square leg for one.

4:39 PM IST Moeen Ali comes in at number 3.

4:37 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! Holder comes back and gets the big wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad! Length ball, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad comes down the track and looks to go over mid off. But he hits straight towards the fielder. Kane Williamson takes a good catch over his head.

4:38 PM IST Jason Holder (1-0-9-0) is back into the attack.

4:36 PM IST Tossed up, around off. Faf du Plessis comes down the track and taps it to point.

4:35 PM IST Flatter ball, around off. Chopped to covers. Faf du Plessis wants a run but is sent back by Gaikwad.

4:35 PM IST Darted on the pads. Worked to deep mid-wicket for one.

4:35 PM IST Flatter ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it to deep point for one.

4:34 PM IST Darted on the pads. Worked to wide long on for one.

4:34 PM IST FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Tossed up, on leg. Gaikwad comes down the track and hits it straight down the ground for a boundary.

4:33 PM IST Flatter ball, on off. Blocked out.

4:33 PM IST Hit hard! Tossed up, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad comes down the track and hits it hard back to the bowler. Khan gets hit on the hands and the ball goes to long on for one. Would be very harsh to call that a drop. It was hit very, very hard by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

4:32 PM IST FOUR! Gorgeous stroke! Tossed up, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad leans into it and drives it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

4:32 PM IST Flatter ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it to deep point for one.

4:31 PM IST Flatter ball, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad comes down the track and works it to long on for one.

4:32 PM IST Rashid Khan (1-0-11-0) is back into the attack.

4:31 PM IST Darted on the pads. Faf du Plessis blocks it out.

4:30 PM IST Flatter and quicker, around off. Faf du Plessis cuts it to cover-point for a single. Just 2 runs off this over.

4:29 PM IST Flatter ball, on middle and leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back and flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

4:29 PM IST On a length, around off. Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes it to cover.

4:29 PM IST Well bowled! Flatter ball, coming in with the angle from middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets a leading edge towards point as he tries to flick this one.

4:29 PM IST Floated, around middle and leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad prods forward to block it out.

4:28 PM IST Change. Abhishek Sharma comes in the attack.

4:28 PM IST Tossed up, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad defends it to cover.

4:27 PM IST FOUR! Cracking shot to end the over! Back of a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis hangs back and cuts it hard through covers for a boundary now.

4:26 PM IST Good-length ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis stays back and punches it to cover.

4:26 PM IST SIX! Just over the ropes! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis reaches out and lofts it over the bowler's head for a biggie!

4:25 PM IST Good-length ball, on leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it past mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

4:24 PM IST Length ball, outside off. Gaikwad presses forward and drives it to the cover fielder.

4:24 PM IST Back of a length, around off. Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back and blocks it back to the bowler.

4:24 PM IST Strategic Time-Out! This has been a good start by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis. Gaikwad did survive in the previous over but they would look to score runs at a quick pace from here. If these two bat for the next 10 or so overs, Chennai would likely win this with ease. As for Hyderabad, they need quick and a bunch of wickets soon. Here comes Siddarth Kaul looking for the first wicket.

4:21 PM IST Another dot! Flatter and quicker, on off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder. Chennai are 47/0 at the end of the Powerplay.

4:20 PM IST Quicker ball, on middle and leg. Faf du Plessis stays back and turns it to mid-wicket.

4:20 PM IST Flatter ball, on middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad runs it down the ground for a run.

4:19 PM IST Review time! Ruturaj Gaikwad has reviewed this LBW decision. There is a spike as the ball passes the gloves!

4:20 PM IST NOT OUT! And Ruturaj Gaikwad survives! Flatter ball, around off. Gaikwad gets down to sweep but he misses and the ball hits him on his right thigh. Rashid Khan appeals and the umpire raises his finger. Gaikwad opts for a review and the UltraEdge shows a clear spike while the ball was passing the gloves. The umpire overturns his decision. Had Ruturaj Gaikwad not gotten some glove on that, he was likely plumb.

4:17 PM IST SIX! WOW! Top class from Gaikwad! Floated, around off. Ruturaj Gaikwad skips down and powers it back over the bowler's head for a maximum!

4:17 PM IST FOUR! Not where Gaikwad intended though! Tossed up, on middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to sweep but he gets a top edge and the ball flies over short fine leg for a boundary.

4:17 PM IST Who will bowl the final over of the Powerplay? Change in bowling as Rashid Khan comes on.

4:15 PM IST Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis drives hard but finds the cover fielder.

4:14 PM IST FOUR! This is Faf du Plessis at his very best! Length ball, on off. Faf du Plessis skips down a bit and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

4:14 PM IST Play and a miss! Length ball, way outside off. Faf du Plessis swings hard at it but he misses.

4:13 PM IST Short ball, around off. Faf du Plessis mistimes the pull to mid on, on the bounce.

4:12 PM IST FOUR! Nicely done! Slower ball, on a length, around middle. Faf du Plessis clears his front leg and whips it towards long on for a boundary.

4:12 PM IST Jason Holder comes in the attack.

4:12 PM IST Holder starts with a back-of-a-length ball, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back and dabs it into the deck for a quick run.

4:12 PM IST SIX! Faf du Plessis gets into the act now. A nothing delivery really from Kumar and the ball travels the distance. On middle and du Plessis just holds his shape and jabs it over the long on fence for another maximum. 15 runs off the over.

4:10 PM IST Full and wide, squeezed down to third man for a single.

4:09 PM IST Kumar bowls a shorter one, outside off and angling across the right-handed batter. Gaikwad looks to cut but fails to connect.

4:09 PM IST SIX! BANG! Ruturaj Gaikwad shimmies down the track again and gets the connection he is looking for. Length ball angled into the body, Gaikwad picks it up and deposits it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

4:08 PM IST On off and defended out to the cover region.

4:08 PM IST Gaikwad shimmies down the track but can't get it off the middle. Kumar sees Gaikwad coming down the track and pulls back his length a bit. Gaikwad manages to clear mid on and picks up a couple of runs.

4:06 PM IST Du Plessis just can't find the gap at the moment. Good-length ball, outside off. Du Plessis taps it straight to the cover-point fielder.

4:06 PM IST Almost chopped on! Sharma hurls across a length ball, on off stump. Faf du Plessis makes room looking to cut. The ball holds up in the pitch a bit and du Plessis chops it back onto the pads.

4:05 PM IST On the pads and flicked away to deep square leg for one.

4:04 PM IST Pitched up, outside off. Gaikwad looks to drive but gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler.

4:04 PM IST On a length and around the off pole. Gaikwad taps it onto the off side.

4:04 PM IST FOUR! Up and over from Ruturaj Gaikwad. Fullish ball, on leg stump. Gaikwad backs away and lifts it over mid off and gets the first boundary of the innings.

4:02 PM IST A dot to end a good over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Length again but a bit wide of off stump. Faf du Plessis can't get it through the cover-point region.

4:02 PM IST On a length and on off, the ball jags back in sharply. Faf du Plessis stays solid in defense.

4:01 PM IST Good-length ball, on middle. Gaikwad dabs it down towards mid-wicket and gets off strike with a single.

4:01 PM IST Beaten! Lovely shape on this delivery. Kumar bowls this one on a length and on off stump. Gaikwad gets caught on the crease and gets squared up, the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

4:00 PM IST Nicely driven but straight to short cover. Pitched up, on off and crunched by Gaikwad for no run.

3:59 PM IST WIDE! This one is spilled down the leg side. Wided.

3:59 PM IST Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start from the other end.

3:59 PM IST Kumar starts with a pitched-up delivery, around off and shaping away. Ruturaj Gaikwad leaves it alone.

3:58 PM IST Top shot from Gaikwad. This is on a length but there's width on offer. Ruturaj Gaikwad thrashes it through cover-point and Rashid Khan gives thse chase. Khan cuts it off and saves a run. Three taken. 5 runs off the first over.

3:57 PM IST Right on the money! Length again and on top of off, gaikwad taps it towards cover.

3:56 PM IST Nicely bowled! An inswinger this time, on off and nipping in sharply. Gaikwad blocks it out.

3:56 PM IST Edged away and Faf du Plessis is also off the mark. This is pitched further up and around off. Du Plessis looks to drive but edges it to third man. Bhuvneshwar Kumar slides in and keeps it to one.

3:55 PM IST Gaikwad and Chennai are off the mark! Length ball, sliding on the pads. Gaikwad tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.

3:55 PM IST Sharma brings the ball in immediately. This is on a length and on off stump, the ball nips back in after pitching and Gaikwad defends it out.