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PHOTOS: Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the way with a blistering 67 off 37 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets in the IPL match in Chennai on Thursday.
Hyderabad captain Cameron White won the toss and elected to bat. The team received a boost with the inclusion of opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was ruled fit after recovering from an injury.
However, it was a disastrous start for the visitors, as Dhawan's opening partner Quinton De Kock was out to the third ball of the first over after scoring four off three balls.
Murali Vijay plucks De Kock out
South African left-hander De Kock tried to smash Mohit Sharma's third delivery over mid-on, but lofted it in the path of Murali Vijay, who took a brilliant catch, diving to his right.
Raina's direct hit runs-out Vihari
Hyderabad soon lost another wicket, as Hanuma Vihari was run-out by Suresh Raina.
The batsman attempted a quick single off the last ball of the second over, bowled by West Indian Jason Holder, but was beaten by Raina's direct hit from the covers. Hyderabad were 12-2 at that stage.
Mohit Sharma cripples Hyderabad
Mohit Sharma crippled Hyderabad by dismissing captain Cameron White, who edged one and was caught behind by wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
White could score only two off three deliveries and Hyderabad were reduced to 37 for 3 in 4.5.
Injury forces Dhawan out
Just when Shikhar Dhawan was looking good for a big score that would bail Hyderabad out he suffered a painful blow and was forced to retire.
Well set on 44 off 38 balls, he missed a short of good length delivery and was hit on the box. He collapsed in pain and had to leave the field.
Dhawan had returned to action after over a month following an injury in the Mohali Test against Australia during which he scored 187 on his debut.
Dhawan hoists Hyderabad
With Hyderabad six down in the 18th over, Dhawan was forced to return.
And he did in style, racing to his 50 off 41 balls as Hyderabad moved to 126 for 6.
By the end of the next over the left-hander was on 63 off 45 balls, and Hyderabad 143 for 6.
Ashish Reddy swells Hyderabad's total
Dhawan, however, had to watch from the non-striker's end as Ashish Reddy took charge in the last over, bowled by Dwayne Bravo.
First Reddy hit a low full toss to long-on for two runs and then smashed the ball through midwicket for a four.
Bravo then dropped one short and he pulled it over midwicket for a six before chopping a wide ball over point for another four.
That enabled Hyderabad finish with a healthy 159 for 6; they scored 59 runs from the last five overs. Reddy was unbeaten with 36 off 16 deliveries.
Vijay and Hussey give Chennai solid start
Openers Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay gave Chennai a rousing start, putting up 60 without loss in seven overs.
Amit Mishra provides Hyderabad the breakthrough
Amit Mishra, who was introduced in the sixth over, gave Hyderabad the breakthrough they were looking for by dismissing Vijay for 18 off 22 balls in his next over.
The right-hander went down the track but was beaten in the flight and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock completed an easy stumping.
Mishra checks Hussey in his stride
Mishra struck again in his next over, the tenth, having Mike Hussey caught behind by 'keeper Quinton de Kock.
The batsman tried to play the sweep but failed to connect; the ball hit the back of the bat and de Kock took a simple catch.
Hussey was out after a quickfire 45 from 26 balls that included five fours and two sixes.
Mishra gives Dhoni a life
Dale Steyn should have bagged the third wicket in the 11th over, but Amit Mishra dropped M S Dhoni.
The batsman top edged the pull shot and Mishra, on the fine leg boundary, spilled the catch.
Dhoni takes Chennai to victory
The 'life' Mishra gave Dhoni proved very costly, as the Chennai skipper went on the rampage in the final over, bowled by Ashish Reddy.
He hit a six and two fours even as the bowler sent down two wides, the second going for five, to seal victory.
Dhoni was unbeaten on 67 from 37 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as Chennai won by five wickets with two deliveries to spare.