Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad 29th T20 Match – Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The Hyderabad players are already out in the middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway walk out now as they are the two openers for Chennai. Hyderabad have used their Impact Player as Mayank Dagar comes in for Rahul Tripathi. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go…

… THE RUN CHASE …

Right then, Hyderabad have posted an under-par total, but with no dew they would hope that their spinners can make a game out of this. Chennai know that they just need to bat smartly and they will get over the line here and maintain their excellent home record. Let's see how the chase unfolds.

Moeen Ali is in for a chat. He says that they tried to keep it simple with the ball and expected atleast one spinner to have a great outing. Mentions the wicket is a bit slower, but he still thinks that it is a solid wicket to bat on with not much turn on offer. Informs that there is no dew as well.

Chennai will be extremely pleased with their performance and they used the home conditions well. Akash Singh gave them an early breakthrough, but it was the brilliant spell of Ravindra Jadeja that turned the game around completely. He finished with three wickets and conceded just 22 runs. MS Dhoni used his bowlers well and did not let the batters settle for one bit and their fielding was brilliant as well. Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana also chipped in with one wicket each.

Hyderabad got off to a steady start with Harry Brook and Abhishek Sharma both hitting a few lusty blows before the former got out. Then Rahul Tripathi and Sharma steadied the ship for a bit with a 36-run stand, but the former struggled throughout his innings. The decision to give back the opening spot to Sharma somewhat worked, but Mayank Agarwal failed to make an impact in the middle order. They suffered a collapse as they went from 71-2 to 95-5 in no time which put them on the back foot in this game. Some contributions from Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen and Washington Sundar got them to a respectable total in the end.

An excellent bowling effort from Chennai! They were spot on from the very first delivery and have managed to restrict Hyderabad to 134 runs. The home team will be the happier side going into the break while the away side need to avoid collapses like this to go far in this tournament.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, OUT! RUN OUT! MS Dhoni on the money! It is fuller, on middle and leg, shaping in. Jansen fails to connect. It sneaks past his blade and past the leg pole as well. MS Dhoni is ready with his gloves off. Washington Sundar is early into his run-up but Dhoni is just too quick. He scores a direct-hit at the striker's end and Washington Sundar is well shot. The same is confirmed by the third umpire. Hyderabad end their innings at 134/7.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, A sharp bumper, on middle. Marco Jansen tries to hook it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. MS Dhoni is as sharp as ever behind the stumps. He gathers the ball and restricts a single here.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, WIDE! The umpire now extends his arms as Matheesha Pathirana spills this full ball down the leg side. Matheesha Pathirana has to reload this delivery.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, FOUR! Marco Jansen connects this time and gets the desired result. It is full, outside off. Marco Jansen swings hard at it. The ball takes the outside edge and flies down to deep backward point for four runs.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, A dot now! Just two runs off the first three deliveries. It is a length ball, on top of off. Marco Jansen tries to heave it away but misses it completely.

Matheesha Pathirana to Washington Sundar, Another single! Brilliant from Matheesha Pathirana. It is a full toss, but the bowlers offers no pace this time. Washington Sundar mishits it to mid off and crosses.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, Very full, wide outside off. Marco Jansen shuffles across and tries to drive it away. The ball runs down to fine leg off the inside edge. They take one. Great start to the final over.

Matheesha Pathirana (3-0-15-1) to bowl the last over.

Tushar Deshpande to Marco Jansen, Fuller, slow as well, tailing into the pads. Marco Jansen flicks it down to long on for a single. This is excellent death bowling. Tushar Deshpande ends his night with no wicket to his name.

Tushar Deshpande to Washington Sundar, Tushar Deshpande goes for the wide yorker, but it comes out as a full toss. Washington Sundar hits it down the park for just a single.

Tushar Deshpande to Washington Sundar, FOUR! Just what the doctor ordered for Hyderabad. A good-length ball, on off. Washington Sundar stays back and smacks it over mid off. The fielder is inside the circle and the ball has enough legs to reach the fence.

Tushar Deshpande to Marco Jansen, A low full toss, on leg. Marco Jansen flicks it into mid-wicket for one.

Tushar Deshpande to Marco Jansen, The seamer now goes full, on middle, it nips in a touch. Marco Jansen moves back and tries to whip it away but misses. The ball goes past the leg pole.

Tushar Deshpande to Washington Sundar, Tushar Deshpande starts with a full ball, wide of off. Washington Sundar lofts it to sweeper cover for a single. The pace bowler is bowling to his field here.

Tushar Deshpande to bowl the penultimate over. He has conceded 18 runs in his two overs.

Matheesha Pathirana to Washington Sundar, Length ball, around the hips. Washington Sundar flicks it over square leg but the ball lands safely. They take one more. An exceptional over from Matheesha Pathirana, just 5 runs and a wicket off it.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, A slower yorker, on off. Jansen jams it out into the off side. They cross.

Matheesha Pathirana to Washington Sundar, Matheesha Pathirana could've gotten two in two, but the balls lands short of Tushar Deshpande at third man. It is a bumper, outside off. Washington Sundar plays the upper cut but has the rub of green on his side. One taken.

Washington Sundar is the next man in.

Matheesha Pathirana to Heinrich Klaasen, OUT! CAUGHT! Matheesha Pathirana picks the big wicket of Heinrich Klaasen and Hyderabad now are in all sorts of trouble here. They have no recognised batter left to have a go in the death overs. Matheesha Pathirana strikes at a crucial juncture of this match. It is full and on off. Heinrich Klaasen throws the kitchen sink at it but only to find Ruturaj Gaikwad at extra cover, who takes a solid catch diving forward.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, Full once again, outside off. Marco Jansen smacks it hard, down to long on. It meets the fielder on a bounce. One taken.

Matheesha Pathirana to Heinrich Klaasen, It is very full, on off. Heinrich Klaasen drills it to long on for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Yorker length delivery, on leg. Marco Jansen does well to dig it out. 8 runs come off this over. Hyderabad need atleast a boundary per over from hereon, in hope to get near the 150-run mark.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short and on off. Klaasen cuts it to point for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Hyderabad. It is pitched up, on off. Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and lofts it over covers. There are three fielders after it but no can keep it in play.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Tossed up, outside off. Marco Jansen tries to hit it through the line but it rolls out to mid off, off the inner half. One taken.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, A dot now! Floated and full, on off. Jansen gets the reverse sweep out. He connects well but could not beat the man at short third man.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Full and on off. Marco Jansen uses his feet and flicks it to wide of long on. Two runs taken.

Strategic-Break! Chennai are well and truly ahead in the game at the moment and they will look to get through this last four overs without conceding much. Hyderabad need Heinrich Klaasen to play most of the balls now if they are to get to a decent total, but they need to be smart about it too. An exciting last phase of this innings awaits us.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, OUCH! Leg bye! Marco Jansen would be in some pain. It is a length ball, that nips in with some extra bounce, on the body. Marco Jansen tries to heave it across the line but misses. He gets hit on his ribs, but still manages to get to the other end safely.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, A sharp bumper, on off, swinging away. Marco Jansen sways away from the line of the delivery. MS Dhoni collects it behind the sticks at a really good height.

Matheesha Pathirana to Heinrich Klaasen, Matheesha Pathirana goes with a wide yorker. Heinrich Klaasen is only able to jam it out past point. One taken.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, Much fuller, outside off. Marco Jansen drives it to deep point for one.

Matheesha Pathirana to Marco Jansen, Length and on off. Jansen blocks it out.

Matheesha Pathirana to Heinrich Klaasen, Matheesha Pathirana starts with a pace-up delivery, at 141 clicks, tailing into the batter. Heinrich Klaasen manages to defend it out somehow to point. One taken.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Fires this one full and on off, Marco Jansen looks to reverse-sweep, but misses and MS Dhoni breaks the stumps behind, but Jansen is in.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short and on leg, Heinrich Klaasen pulls it through square leg for one more.

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Tossed up, full and on off, Marco Jansen pushes it towards long off for one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Flighted, full and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen makes room and drills it towards long off for another run. 100 up for Hyderabad!

Maheesh Theekshana to Marco Jansen, Flatter, full and on middle, Marco Jansen drives it towards long on for a run.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Marco Jansen, It is full, angled into the pads. Marco Jansen clips it to mid-wicket and collects two runs. A successful over from Ravindra Jadeja comes to an end.

Marco Jansen comes out at number 7.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal, OUT! STUMPED! Ravindra Jadeja gets his third wicket now! He darts this one full and around off seeing the batter advance, Mayank Agarwal tries to throw his bat at it, but is late and misses it and MS Dhoni does the rest behind the stumps. This is really clever from Jadeja and he won't be bothered about that catch now as he has got his man. Hyderabad lose half their side now!

Ravindra Jadeja to Heinrich Klaasen, Full and on off. Heinrich Klaasen knocks it down to long off for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Heinrich Klaasen, Flatter, full and on leg, Heinrich Klaasen flicks it behind square on the leg side for a brace.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal, Floated, full and on middle, Mayank Agarwal works it towards long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal, What happened there! This is tossed up, full and on middle, Mayank Agarwal chips it in the air to the right of the bowler where Ravindra Jadeja gets a hand to it, but Heinrich Klaasen is in his way and fails to hold on to it. Jadeja is not happy with Klassen here.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mayank Agarwal, Flighted, full and on middle, Mayank Agarwal tucks it through mid-wicket for a run and gets off the mark.

Mayank Agarwal is the new batter in.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aiden Markram, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Maheesh Theekshana gets a wicket now, and it is huge one of Aiden Markram. He bowls this quicker, short and around off, skids through too, Aiden Markram makes room and tries to cut it away, but only manages to get an outside edge and MS Dhoni takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. Hyderabad are losing their way a bit here as they are four down now.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen moves back and clips it towards long on for one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aiden Markram, Flatter, full and on middle, Aiden Markram knocks it towards long on for another run.

Maheesh Theekshana to Heinrich Klaasen, Floated, full and on off, Heinrich Klaasen drives it towards long off for a run.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aiden Markram, Tossed up, full and on middle, Aiden Markram works it towards long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Heinrich Klaasen, Shorter in length and on off, Heinrich Klaasen punches it towards short covers again.

Ravindra Jadeja to Heinrich Klaasen, Flighted, full and on off, Heinrich Klaasen pushes it uppishly, but just on the bounce towards short covers.

Ravindra Jadeja to Aiden Markram, Flatter, full and on off, Aiden Markram eases it towards long off for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Heinrich Klaasen, Floated, full and on off, Heinrich Klaasen drives it towards long off for a single.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, OUT! TAKEN! Ravindra Jadeja strikes again! Rahul Tripathi's struggling knock comes to end. This is tossed up, full and around off, grips and turns away a bit, Rahul Tripathi goes down and tries to sweep it away, but only manages to get a top edge due to the turn and bounce as the ball flies in the air towards short fine leg where Akash Singh runs to his left and pouches it safely. Hyderabad three down now!

Ravindra Jadeja to Aiden Markram, Short and on leg, Aiden Markram tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Matheesha Pathirana to Aiden Markram, Overpitched and on middle, Aiden Markram drives it down the ground and once again Matheesha Pathirana manages to get a hand to it and parries it behind. They cross.

Matheesha Pathirana to Aiden Markram, Shrap bouncer! Matheesha Pathirana bangs in a well-directed bouncer around off, Aiden Markram sways away from it.

Matheesha Pathirana to Aiden Markram, Fullish and on middle, Aiden Markram drills it down the pitch where Matheesha Pathirana stops it with his foot.

Matheesha Pathirana to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Sweet timing! Matheesha Pathirana lands this back of a length and around off, Aiden Markram punches it with great timing as the ball races to the deep point fence for a boundary.

Matheesha Pathirana to Rahul Tripathi, Fuller and around leg, Rahul Tripathi tickles it towards fine leg for a run.

Matheesha Pathirana to Aiden Markram, Matheesha Pathirana starts with a hard-length delivery, on middle, Aiden Markram knocks it towards the wide mid on region for a single.

Change.

Ravindra Jadeja to Aiden Markram, Much quicker, darted on the pads. Aiden Markram removes his front leg and manages to flick it to square leg in the nick of time. One taken. A wicket-taking from Jadeja comes to an end.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, Fuller, on off. Rahul Tripathi reverse sweeps it to point for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, Floated and full, on off. Rahul Tripathi lofts it to wide of long off. They collect a brace.

Ravindra Jadeja to Aiden Markram, Aiden Markram gets off the mark instantly. It is on middle. Aiden Markram clips it to mid-wicket for a single.

Aiden Markram comes out to the middle now.

Ravindra Jadeja to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Ravindra Jadeja finds the breakthrough his team was looking for and also, he gets rid of the set-batter in Abhishek Sharma. It is a bit short, on middle. Abhishek Sharma goes for the pull shot but does not time it at all. One might say he holed out to a nothing shot here. Nevertheless, he has had a great impact being pushed up the order. It is Ajinkya Rahane who takes a sharp catch at long on diving forward.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, Quicker and full, angled into the batter. Rahul Tripathi makes some room, taps it to point and gets to the other end.

Strategic-Break! Hyderabad are in a good position, but they would have liked to score a few more runs. Abhishek Sharma looks solid after getting back his position and they have a lot of firepower in their ranks. Chennai will not be too disappointed with how things are going, but they will try to get a wicket or two after the break to put a bit more pressure on the away side. Ravindra Jadeja to contnue after the break.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Flatter, on off, it grips and turns in. Rahul Tripathi tucks it into the leg side for another single. Hyderabad are doing really well to find the odd boundary every over to keep constant pressure on Chennai.

Moeen Ali to Abhishek Sharma, Abhishek Sharma flicks this full ball into the on side for another single.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Tossed up, full and on off. Rahul Tripathi lofts it down to long on. One taken.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, FOUR! It is fuller, turning into the batter. Rahul Tripathi shuffles inside the line, creates the angle and sweeps it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Floated and full, on off. Rahul Tripathi goes for the sweep but does not connect. It hits him on his grill as the ball bounces off his arm.

Moeen Ali to Abhishek Sharma, Ali comes 'round the wicket, angles it in full and on middle. Sharma pushes it to mid off and crosses.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, Much quicker, angled into the batters. Rahul Tripathi only manages to get a thick inside edge on his pads. Fortunately the ball roll away from the sticks.

Ravindra Jadeja to Abhishek Sharma, On leg, Sharma clips it to square leg for another single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rahul Tripathi, Floated and full, on off. Rahul Tripathi plays it late and guides it to the left of short third man. One taken.

Ravindra Jadeja to Abhishek Sharma, Fuller, on off. Sharma clips it to wide of long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Abhishek Sharma, On off, flicked to mid-wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Once again boundary off the first ball. This is brilliant shot from Abhishek Sharma. A bit shortish, angling across, outside off. Abhishek Sharma cuts it late in front of backward point. The ball races away to the fence.

Ravindra Jadeja replaces Maheesh Theekshana.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Flatter one, around off. Rahul Tripathi gets behind the line and blocks it solidly. This time the over started with a boundary for Hyderabad, rather than ending with one.

Moeen Ali to Abhishek Sharma, Quicker and full, on off. Sharma hits it down the park for one more.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Slower through the air, wide of off. Rahul Tripathi shuffles way across and tries to sweep it away. The ball lobs toward short fine leg. One taken.

Moeen Ali to Abhishek Sharma, Abhishek Sharma now rotates the striker. Looped up, outside off. Sharma knocks it over backward point.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi now sweeps this full ball to square leg for a single.

Moeen Ali to Rahul Tripathi, SIX! BANG! Rahul Tripathi puts some early pressure on Moeen Ali. It is full, on middle and leg. Rahul Tripathi uses his wrists here and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence. He hits it flat but gets enough distance on it to clear the fence.

Spin from both ends as Moeen Ali is ready to bowl now.

Maheesh Theekshana to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! A boundary off the last ball surely spoils the over for Maheesh Theekshana. It is tossed up, outside off. Abhishek Sharma goes inside out this time and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary. At the end of Powerplay, Hyderabad are 45/1.

Maheesh Theekshana to Rahul Tripathi, Floated and full, on off. Rahul Tripathi knocks it to the right of mid off and gets a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Abhishek Sharma, A single now as this is pushed into cover.

Maheesh Theekshana to Abhishek Sharma, Just over the fielder! It is full, outside off. Abhishek Sharma slashes hard at it. The ball flies over covers. He gets enough elevation on it to beat the leaping effort of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Moeen Ali then gives it a chase and keeps it down to two runs.

Maheesh Theekshana to Rahul Tripathi, LEG BYE! It is a bit fuller, outside off. Rahul Tripathi gets low and tries to sweep it away, but misses. The ball rolls out of his pads towards short fine leg. Akash Singh there fumbles and the batters cross for a leg bye.

Maheesh Theekshana to Abhishek Sharma, Flatter one, on off. Sharma knocks it down to park, towards long off. There is a fielder there and they cross for just a single.

Maheesh Theekshana comes into the attack now.

Akash Singh to Rahul Tripathi, Fuller and on off, Rahul Tripathi pushes it towards short covers and wants the run, but is sent back.

Akash Singh to Rahul Tripathi, BEATEN AGAIN! Akash Singh lands this on a good length and on off, angling away, Rahul Tripathi slashes at it, but misses.

Akash Singh to Rahul Tripathi, Touch fuller and outside off, Rahul Tripathi uses his feet and throws his bat at it, but fails to connect.

Akash Singh to Rahul Tripathi, Back of a length and on off, Rahul Tripathi dabs it towards point.

Rahul Tripathi is the new man in. Still no sign of Mayank Agarwal. He usually opens for Hyderabad.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, OUT! TAKEN! Akash Singh draws first blood! Harry Brook goes back to the hut now. Singh serves this full and around off, Harry Brook looks to cut it away, but is a bit late and ends up slicing it in the air towards wide backward point where Ruturaj Gaikwad takes a sharp catch diving forward. Hyderabad lose their first wicket!

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, Buzzers! This is on a good length and on off, Abhishek Sharma guides it towards point and sets off for the run, but Brook denies, Devon Conway has a shy at the batter's end, but misses and the batters get a overthrow.

Tushar Deshpande to Harry Brook, FOUR! Another over that finishes with a boundary! Tushar Deshpande bowls the slower delivery, full and on middle, Harry Brook goes down and scoops it towards the vacant fine leg fence for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande to Harry Brook, FOUR! Nice shot! Tushar Deshpande serves this full and around off, Harry Brook makes room and carves it through covers for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande to Harry Brook, Short of a length and on off, slower too, Harry Brook pats it to the off side, and calls for the run, but Sharma refuses.

Tushar Deshpande to Harry Brook, Touch fuller and around leg, shaping away, Harry Brook moves across to scoop it, but misses. No wide given!

Tushar Deshpande to Harry Brook, Back of a length and on middle, Harry Brook clips it past mid-wicket for a brace.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, This is on a good length and around off, Abhishek Sharma steers it towards deep backward point for a single.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, Back of a length and on off, Harry Brook dabs it towards point.

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, Fullish and on middle, Abhishek Sharma knocks it towards mid on for another run.

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Just over! Akash Singh bowls this full, but down the leg side, Abhishek Sharma picks it up and flicks it away with the bottom half of the bat, but it has enough power to go over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, Overpitched and on off, Harry Brook once again goes for the drive, but goes a bit too hard and the ball takes the inside half of the bat to roll through square leg for a run.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, Full again and on middle, Harry Brook mistimes his drive towards mid on.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, Full and on off, Harry Brook goes for the drive, but gets an inside edge through square leg for a couple of runs.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Good shot! Tushar Deshpande serves this full and outside off, Abhishek Sharma frees his arms and slices it wide of third man for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, Tushar Deshpande bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle, Abhishek Sharma ducks under it and MS Dhoni does well to stop it behind the stumps.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, This is on a hard length and on off, Abhishek Sharma taps it towards short covers.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, Goes a bit fuller and on middle, Abhishek Sharma flicks it over mid-wicket without much timing and comes back for the second.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, Length again and on leg, Abhishek Sharma nudges it towards square leg.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, Chance of a run out….missed! This is on a good length and on off, Abhishek Sharma pushes it wide of short covers as Harry Brook sets off for the run and is already halfway down the pitch, and then tries to go back. Moeen Ali picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end, but misses and Brooks survives a scare.

Tushar Deshpande to Abhishek Sharma, Tushar Deshpande begins with a wide! He lands this on a good length, but down the leg side, Abhishek Sharma misses his flick. Wided.

Tushar Deshpande to bowl from the other end.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, FOUR! First boundary of the match! Akash Singh overpitches it this time, on off, Harry Brook stays there and drills it past the bowler for a lovely boundary.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, This is pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Harry Brook blocks it down the pitch.

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Abhishek Sharma works it towards mid on for a run and gets off the mark.

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, Fuller and on off, Abhishek Sharma knocks it towards short covers.

Akash Singh to Abhishek Sharma, Touch fuller and on off, Abhishek Sharma looks to push it away, but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Akash Singh to Harry Brook, Harry Brook and Hyderabad are underway straightaway! Akash Singh starts with a good-length delivery around leg, Harry Brook nudges it through backward square leg for as single.

The match is set to begin. The crowd is buzzing already and why not, it is their home side making its way out on the field. Followed by Abhishek Sharma and Harry Brook who walk out to open for Hyderabad. It will be Akash Singh to start with the new ball. Here we go…

PITCH REPORT – Pommie Mbangwa is near the deck. He says that there was a little bit drizzle before, but no forecast of it during the game. Adds that one square boundary is shorter than the other and it is 75 metres straight. Tells that the last time a game was played on this wicket a lot of runs were scored and he expects the same. Mentions that it is rock hard with some cracks and pacers will need to use variations while spinners might get some help from it. Ends by saying that the batters will enjoy playing on this wicket.

Aiden Markram, the captain of Hyderabad, is in for a chat. He starts by saying they would've loved to bowl first as well. Mentions they batted first in Kolkata and it is now about implementing something similar here. Adds that it is all about batting well throughout the innings. Informs that it has been a busy schedule but the boys have enjoyed it a lot. Adds that they are going into the game with the same 16 players, but might tweak the starting 11 as they are batting first.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai says that they will bowl first. Informs that the rain is in the air and there are chances of dew later on, that is why they will like to chase. Tells that the table is packed together, but this is not the time to look at it and focus more on themselves. Mentions that they have been lucky with the combination when all the players were not available but the headache comes in when everyone is fit.

Impact players for Hyderabad – Abdul Samad, Sanvir Singh, Glenn Phillips, Mayank Dagar, T Natarajan.

Hyderabad (Playing XI) – Mayank Agarwal, Harry Brook, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Marco Jansen, Mayank Markande, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik (In for T Natarajan).

Impact players for Chennai – Ambati Rayudu, Dwaine Pretorius, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Chennai (Playing XI) – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/ WK), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Singh (In for Ambati Rayudu).

TOSS – The coin goes up and lands in favour of Chennai. MS Dhoni informs that they will BOWL first.

Hyderabad, on the other hand are coming here after a defeat and they are yet to find their rhythm. There have been good performances from Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Harry Brook who also scored a century, but Indian batters need to step up for them. Their bowling has also been hit and miss except for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen, and that is an area they will need to work on if they want to get a favourable result here. Let's see who comes out on top. Toss and team news in a bit.

Chennai have one of the most destructive batting units starting from their opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway to the experience of MS Dhoni. Shivam Dube has also repaid the faith shown in him. However, their pace attack is very inexperienced and they are just learning their trade, but their spinners have not let that affect them too much and that is why they have been successful as they know how to get out of a difficult situation. They will look to get another victory in front of their home crowd.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! It is almost time for another blockbuster game in the Indian T20 League. Chennai are ready to host Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium which is like a fortress for them and they will be confident of getting another win while the away side will hope to break this and get back to winning ways.

… MATCH DAY …

The unpredictability and excitement associated with the 20-over format have brought about its own charm with any team capable of beating a superior opponent on their day. The Indian T20 League in its 16th edition sees 10 balanced teams on paper, tangle with each other for the coveted title, and as expected no one team has been able to maintain a long enough winning run to go clear at the top of the table. The results have been even more unpredictable this season and just when a team looks to be getting into gear, they suffer a momentum-killing loss to put them right in the middle of the tussle. We focus our attention on match number 29 where four-time champions Chennai face off against yet another southern rival Hyderabad at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium and both teams face a similar conundrum as inconsistency mars their results. The hosts lost their opening fixture against the reigning champions but were able to win the next two games convincingly. A loss against Rajasthan pegged back their charge but they returned to winning ways in their last encounter against rivals Bangalore and will be hoping to make two win in a row once again. Hyderabad were off to a poor start losing their first two matches but two consecutive wins had them believing once again. They lost their last fixture against Mumbai at home and will be eager to return to winning ways in this tie. Harry Brook announced himself in the Indian T20 League with a century against Kolakata and has settled nicely in the top order but needs to be more consistent. Mayank Agarwal's return to form has been timely for the visitors and Rahul Tripathi has already proved what he is capable of when he gets going. Their captain Aiden Markram and wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen solidify the middle order along with Abhishek Sharma who has been pushed down the batting line-up in recent games. Mayank Markande has been a revelation for them in the spin department which has seen Washington Sundar and Adil Rashid's roles reduced in the playing XI but the spinners could come into play on a Chepauk wicket. Marco Jansen has been among the wickets since his arrival and they have a strong pace bowling contingent comprising Bhuvneshwar Kumar. T Natarajan, Umran Malik, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. The team seems to be building nicely and it could only be a matter of time before they begin to execute their plans perfectly and get into a winning rhythm. Chennai are one of the most successful T20 sides in the world under the leadership of the never-ageing MS Dhoni and they continue to be one of the most feared sides in the competition. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway have formed a formidable opening partnership and have managed to revigorate Ajinkya Rahane who is probably playing the most attacking cricket of his career having scored an excess of 100 runs with a strike rate close to 200. Moeen Ali finds himself in the middle of a heavily loaded Indian middle order comprising Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni. They do have an injury crisis as they are still missing the services of their record-signing Ben Stokes and lost Deepak Chahar who is back on the treatment table. Sisanda Magala who was roped in as a replacement for Kyle Jamieson has also been ruled out for the next few games and found themselves stretched thin in the pace bowling department. The onus now falls on the young fast bowlers like Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Matheesha Pathirana, Prashant Solanki, and Akash Singh to deliver the goods. They are heavily stocked in the spin bowling department with the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Nishant Sindhu. If they manage to keep their remaining players fit and bring back some crucial names into the side, they will be once again among the favourites to make it to the playoffs as they have so often done. Will we see yet another nail-biter of a contest? We will find out soon.