Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered a composed all-round performance to first limit Chennai Super Kings to a modest 154, and then chased it down with five wickets to spare, securing a crucial victory. In an otherwise challenging season, SRH finally had reason to celebrate — clinching their first ‘away’ win of IPL 2025 and their maiden triumph over CSK at this venue. For the hosts, the Chepauk curse continued, as they slumped to their fourth straight defeat at home this season.

The turning point came in the latter stages of the chase, with dew playing a part and wickets still in hand. What was shaping up to be a tense finish was swiftly turned around in a couple of overs, thanks to the composure and quality of Nitish Reddy and Kamindu Mendis. Their timely boundaries during a nervy passage ensured SRH crossed the line comfortably. Earlier, Mendis had also made a vital contribution in the field, taking a sharp catch to dismiss a dangerous-looking Dewald Brevis — a moment that proved pivotal in restricting CSK to a chaseable total.

CSK Struggle for Early Momentum Despite Mhatre’s Cameo

CSK were on the backfoot from the very first ball as Mohammed Shami struck immediately, having young Shaik Rasheed caught at slip. The early blow set the tone, and Sunrisers Hyderabad maintained the pressure effectively throughout the powerplay. Ayush Mhatre provided a brief spark with a brisk 19-ball 30, offering CSK some much-needed momentum. However, the surface didn’t allow for reckless strokeplay, and SRH capitalized with disciplined bowling.

Sam Curran, brought in for Jamie Overton and promoted to No. 3, failed to make an impression — falling to a slower delivery from Harshal Patel. Mhatre’s promising knock also ended prematurely, as he mistimed a shot off Pat Cummins to mid-off, leaving CSK struggling to build a solid platform.

SRH Apply the Brakes as CSK Fail to Capitalise in Middle Overs

Sunrisers Hyderabad continued to tighten the screws as CSK failed to find rhythm through the middle phase. Ravindra Jadeja, promoted to No. 4, once again struggled to make an impact. Although he survived an early chance, his stay was short-lived as Kamindu Mendis cleaned him up for a 17-ball 21. At 74/4 around the halfway mark, the home side was left scrambling for acceleration.

Shivam Dube and debutant Dewald Brevis momentarily revived the innings, with Brevis particularly impressive — launching four sixes and a four in a fluent 25-ball 42 after a cautious start. Just when CSK seemed to be finding their groove, Mendis struck again — this time with a spectacular diving catch at long-off to dismiss the dangerous Brevis. In the very next over, Jaydev Unadkat removed Dube, halting CSK’s momentum once more and ensuring SRH remained firmly in control.

CSK Crawl to 154 as SRH Keep Chipping Away

CSK’s innings never really took off, and despite a few handy boundaries from Deepak Hooda towards the end, they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Harshal Patel was the standout performer, picking up four wickets and capping off a disciplined bowling effort from SRH. The sluggish nature of the pitch, combined with Hyderabad’s sharp execution, restricted CSK to a modest total of 154 — a score that always felt below par on the day.

SRH Off to a Cautious Start in Tricky Chase

Much like CSK’s innings, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 155 began on a shaky note. Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the very first over, caught at cover off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling. Ishan Kishan and Travis Head attempted to steady the ship, absorbing the early pressure and picking up the occasional boundary, though scoring remained tough on a slow surface.

Just when the pair looked set to build a solid stand, Anshul Kamboj struck — a delivery that cramped Head for room on the pull, clipping the bail and ending his stay. The timely breakthrough helped CSK apply the brakes once again, keeping SRH in check and maintaining pressure through the early stages of the chase.

Tug of War as Wickets Keep the Contest Even

With the game hanging in the balance, Sunrisers Hyderabad found it tough to pull away from Chennai Super Kings, as regular wickets disrupted their chase. Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal by Ravindra Jadeja shortly after the Powerplay handed CSK a timely breakthrough. The onus then fell on Ishan Kishan, who looked settled and was SRH’s key aggressor at the top.

Kishan, having stitched a steady 36-run stand with Aniket Verma, appeared ready to shift gears. However, his dismissal — caught going for a big shot off Noor Ahmad — halted SRH’s momentum just as they looked to take control. Noor struck again soon after, removing Verma in his next over, deepening the pressure on the visitors. Heading into the final five overs, SRH still needed 41 runs, with the match finely poised.

Kamindu and Nitish Steer SRH Home with Composed Finish

Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Reddy held their nerve in the final stretch, delivering a composed and clinical finish to seal the game for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kamindu took the attack to CSK’s key death bowlers, striking crucial boundaries off both Matheesha Pathirana and Noor Ahmad. Nitish complemented him perfectly, using smart placement and timing to pick up a couple of timely boundaries off Pathirana.

Under pressure, both CSK bowlers began to leak extras at a pivotal moment, easing the required equation for SRH. The pair’s unbeaten 49-run stand proved to be the difference, transforming what was shaping up to be a tight contest into a comfortable victory for the visitors.

What’s Next for Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad?

Chennai Super Kings will look to bounce back quickly as they remain at home to host Punjab Kings on April 30. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad hit the road again, heading to Ahmedabad for a clash against Gujarat Titans on May 2. Both teams will be eager to build momentum as the playoff race heats up.

FAQs

How did Sunrisers Hyderabad secure their win against Chennai Super Kings?

Sunrisers Hyderabad restricted CSK to just 154 and chased it down with five wickets in hand, securing their first-ever win at Chepauk.

Who were the key performers for SRH in their win over CSK?

Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Reddy were crucial with the bat, while Harshal Patel’s four-wicket haul helped restrict CSK to a low total.

What went wrong for Chennai Super Kings in their loss to SRH?

CSK struggled to build partnerships, with early wickets and a lack of momentum from key players like Jadeja and Curran, ultimately leading to a fourth consecutive defeat at home.