CSK VS SRH T20S

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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?

A low full toss, on off. Ambati Rayudu slices it towards sweeper cover for a run.

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.

Siddarth Kaul to bowl the final over. Can he defend 3 runs?

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

Yorker, outside off. Pushed to covers.

FOUR! BAM! Dhoni smacks this one hard! On a length, outside off. Dhoni pulls it hard to the wide long on fence. There is a man at long on and deep mid-wicket but they have no chance.

Length ball, outside off. Dhoni leaves it. Wide called.