Match Center

Right! We have had a good encounter to kick off the second phase of the tournament, which could have gone either way but Chennai took the two points from this game. They will look to build on this going further. Hyderabad, on the other hand, have lost their second game on the trot and will look to bounce back in their next encounter. The action continues on the 14th of October, 2020 as Delhi take on Rajasthan in Dubai. The match starts at 1800 local (1400 GMT). Do join us well before for the build up. We hope to see you for that game. Until then, adios and take care.

The Man of the Match is RAVINDRA JADEJA! He starts off by saying that he is very happy with his performance and it is good to help the team win. Adds that he kept playing his strokes and he backed himself while he was batting. Feels that the wicket is on the slower side and he just looked to bowl into the stump and he did not want to offer any width to the batters. Adds that he enjoys fielding and he looks to take catches or looks for the run out while out there.

Chennai captain, MS Dhoni, says that what really matters is the two points. Tells that the team did a very good job. Feels the batters got them a decent score on the board and says that there was some purpose. Adds that the spinners got them wickets at the right time and feels that he won't shy away from calling it a perfect game for them. Tells that he told the bowlers to hit the right lengths and do not go searching for the swing. Mentions that the fast bowlers executed their plans well. Says that with the pitch getting a bit slow, it will surely help them to an extent. On Sam Curran, MS says that Curran is a complete player for them. Adds that he can open the batting, he can play the fast bowlers and spinners well too. Adds that there are plenty of areas where they can get better. Feels they just need to keep the process right and if they can keep winning games, the points table will take care of itself. Ends by saying that just because they have won the game, he doesn't want to brush anything under the carpet.

Dwayne Bravo is up for a chat. Tells that he enjoys bowling towards the end. Praises Shardul for the 19th over. Adds that it was a great team performance overall. Praises Karn and Jadeja too along with Chahar who bowled in the Powerplay. Tells that he is really happy that they get 2 points. Says that there was no panic in the team before the game. Informs that they have broken it into a mini-tournament now and says that this game was really important for them. Adds that they made a few changes in their plan, like sending Curran to open the batting and is happy that it worked here for them. On the pitch being on the slower side, Bravo says that it doesn't make much difference as both the teams have to play on it. Talking about Pandey's run out, Bravo says that he isn't too quick these days and hence enjoys fielding in the circle and tells that Pandey was a key wicket for them. Finishes by saying that he has enjoyed playing with Curran and tells that he has a lot of character.

Hyderabad skipper, David Warner, says that the wicket was a bit on the slower side. Tells that they tried to take it deep but failed to win it. Tells that they need to go to the drawing board and plan things out better. Adds that the total was chasable but tells that when they were maintaining a momentum, he felt that they had a chance but it didn't happen. Says that the batters need to come out with clear minds. Feels if they want to take the bowler on or you want to sit deep inside the crease. Says that they want to forget this game and come better in the next game. Adds that they will have to monitor the pitch and then select the team. Ends by saying that to go ahead, you need to beat the good teams and says that he is ready for that challenge along with his boys.

After opting to bat, Dhoni took a surprise call when he sent Curran to open the batting along with Faf du Plessis. Faf fell for a golden duck but Curran played a handy knock of 31 before getting out. Watson and Rayudu then stitched a valuable partnership in the middle stages of the game. A flourish in the end by Jadeja and Dhoni made sure that Chennai ended with a good total of 167. Hyderabad bowlers were pretty good till the 14th over but they were taken for a few towards the last 6 overs where they gave away 65. The spinners couldn't pick wickets but kept things tight. Sandeep was their pick of the bowlers as he ended with 2/19 in his 4 overs. Khaleel and Natarajan did pick a couple wickets but were on the expensive side. And eventually, the last few blows by Chennai batters were proved vital towards the end.

Chasing this target, Hyderabad needed their opening duo of Warner and Bairstow to start with a bang. That though did not happen as Warner was sent back by Curran early in the chase. Bravo's brilliance in the field saw Pandey head home and Hyderabad lost 2 wickets in the same over. Bairstow also did not explode as his team would have hoped for. Kane Williamson was the pick of the lot as he scored a well made 57, but he alone could not see his side home.

Defending a total of 167, Chennai started off well as they got rid of Warner and Pandey right in the Powerplay. They kept scalping wickets right throughout the innings getting rid of the explosive batters along the way and in the end, they held their nerve and saw their side through. Dhoni went by using 7 bowlers for this game and Piyush Chawla bowled only a single over. Bravo and Karn Sharma picked up 2 wickets today, even as Karn was expensive towards the end of the innings. Dhoni got his decisions right in the field and he will be hoping that he can continue this going forward. Overall, a comprehensive victory for Chennai.

What a game of cricket we have had today! The fans of both the teams would have been biting their nails towards the end of the innings. It is Dhoni's men who have held their nerve, in the end, they have recorded a win by 20 runs. They have finally won a game after a series of losses. Dhoni will be a happy man tonight.

Full and wide outside off, Natarajan swings at it but fails to connect. Top class over from Natarajan. Chennai win by 20 runs.

Just a single! Slower fuller one this time, Sandeep drives it towards mid off and takes a quick run.

Another yorker! Another dot! Sandeep makes room and tries to dig out the yorker but fails to do so as Bravo follows him.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Another one bites the dust. A good length ball around off and middle, Nadeem looks to slog but ends up getting a top edge. The ball balloons high in the air. Bravo calls for the catch and settles under it and takes it easily.

Excellent bowling! Bravo continues to deliver the perfect yorker and he follows the batsman as well. Nadeem fails fo flick again.

Perfect begining! Full and following the batsman who has made room. Nadeem looks to flick but misses.

Sandeep Sharma walks out to bat. Dwayne Bravo will bowl the final over of the innings. Can he defend the total?

OUT! HIT WICKET! A low full toss, Rashid tries to use his wrists and flick it over the fence but mistimes it. It goes straight to Chahar at long on. He takes the catch. This will not matter as he is out hit wicket as his foot hits the stumps. 22 runs required in the last over.