Conway, Jadeja shine as Chennai beat Hyderabad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continued their impressive winning run at the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a seven-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai yesterday.
Devon Conway’s unbeaten 77 and Ravindra Jadeja’s magnificent spell guided Chennai to a convincing win at home. Chasing 135 to win, CSK openers - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Conway were off to a spectacular start with the bat and released pressure straightaway. The duo made an optimum use of the field restrictions and produced 23 runs off the final over of the powerplay as they moved to 60/0.
Conway reached his half century off just 34 deliveries as the home side were 86/0 at the halfway mark. SRH finally produced a breakthrough in one of the most unusual ways as Gaikwad was run-out at the non-strikers end after the ball touched Umran Malik’s hand in his follow-through. The visitors didn’t give up as Mayank Markande claimed the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and impact player Ambati Rayudu in no time. However, Conway remained unbeaten in the end and finished the job for CSK.
Earlier, Chennai opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Hyderabad openers - Harry Brook and Abhishek Sharma provided a steady start to the side.
They were 34/0 after 4 overs before Gaikwad plucked Brook’s catch inside the covers off Akash Singh’s bowling.
Rahul Tripathi joined hands with Abhishek and stitched a fine partnership but Jadeja and CSK found success near the halfway mark of the innings. Rahane grabbed a sharp catch to dismiss Abhishek for 37.
Captain Aiden Markram walked to the crease and got going straightaway with the well-set Tripathi at the other end. Unfortunately for SRH, Tripathi top-edged a Jadeja delivery in an attempt to sweep the spinner only to find Akash Singh at short fine leg.
The wickets fell in regular intervals for the visitors as they lost the wickets of Markram and Mayank Agarwal in quick succession. While the SRH skipper was caught behind off Maheesh Theekshana, Agarwal was out stumped against Jadeja.
SRH were placed at 106-5 with four overs to go as another excellent catch from Gaikwad produced another wicket in the form of Heinrich Klaasen.
Captain MS Dhoni wrapped things in style with a perfect direct-hit as SRH finished with a first-innings total of 134/7.
“Nice to be there in the end and get the win. Plan for us is simple. Every game, doesn’t change too much. Play good cricket shows in the power play and put the bowlers under pressure. We try and look to repeat that regardless of what the score is,” said Conway after the match.

Brief Scores
Sunrisers Hyderabad 134 for 7 (Abhishek 34, Jadeja 3-22, Akash 1-17) lost to Chennai Super Kings 138 for 3 (Conway 77, Gaikwad 35, Markande 2-23) by seven wickets.