Kamindu Mendis and Harshal Patel cause CSK to suffer yet another defeat.

The fact that SRH had players like Nitish Reddy and Kamindu Mendis at the crease despite losing five wickets helped to break open what was looking to be a tight chase in a few overs.

In a crucial victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad put on a brilliant display, limiting CSK to just 154 before chasing it down with five wickets remaining. With their first “away” victory in the IPL 2025 and their first-ever matchup against the Chennai Super Kings on this pitch, SRH finally have cause for celebration in an otherwise worrying season. The home team lost at Chepauk for the fourth time in a row this season, continuing a trend of not being at home.

What was the difference?

Sunrisers Hyderabad were able to dominate the final overs of the match with wickets in hand and the dew factor coming into play later. They overcame the anxious moment by setting important boundaries that helped SRH win. Earlier, Mendis had also had an effect on the pitch, stopping Dewald Brevis’s dominant innings with a brilliant catch that had assisted SRH in containing CSK.

Super Kings of Chennai:

Powerplay: Controlling CSK

Phase Score: 50/3 (4s/6s: 8/0; RR: 8.33)

CSK was immediately placed on the defensive after Mohammed Shami got the teenage Shaik Rasheed caught at slip with a wicket first ball. The only thing that gave them some solace inside the powerplay was Ayush Mhatre’s aggression. The surface was not one to use carelessly after the bowlers, and SRH did a good job of holding them mostly in check.

Even though CSK lost important wickets during the phase, Mhatre’s 19-ball 30 served as the impetus for their early momentum once more. Sam Curran, who entered the game at number three and replaced Jamie Overton, failed to make an impression after getting caught off a slower ball by Harshal Patel. When Mhatre chipped Pat Cummins to midoff on the powerplay, his cameo also ended.

Middle Overs: SRH prevents CSK from escaping

Phase Score: 77 out of 3. (RR: 8.55; 3/5 for 4s/6s)

Jadeja, who entered at number four, failed to help the hosts once more. Kamindu Mendis bowled the left-hander for a 17-ball 21 after dropping him once. At 74/4, close to the midway point, CSK was forced to rely on the middle overs for strength and momentum. For a short time, Dewald Brevis, who was making his CSK debut, and Shivam Dube were able to supply that.

After a cautious start, the latter hammered four sixes and a four in his 25-ball 42. However, Kamindu Mendis’ incredible diving grab at long off ended Brevis’ innings just as the spark was starting to ignite. The other veteran, Jaydev Unadkat, defeated Dube in the next over, putting CSK back just as they were starting to tee off.

Death Overs: CSK can barely make it to 154

Phase Score: 27/4 (RR: 6.0; 1/1) 4s/6s

Although CSK benefited from a few helpful boundaries from Deepak Hooda, the wickets continued to fall at one end. As SRH bowled CSK out for 154, Harshal Patel concluded with a four-wicket haul. Because of the slow pitch and some accurate bowling that fit the surface, the score was mediocre.

Hyderabad’s Sunrisers

SRH was silent during Powerplay.

37/2 is the phase score (RR: 6.16; 4s/6s: 7/0).

Similar to CSK’s innings, SRH was dismissed early as well, with Abhishek Sharma being caught at cover by Khaleel Ahmed, who caught him for a duck. Travis Head and Ishan Kishan were able to significantly reverse the pressure, but it was generally hard to score boundaries. Anshul Kamboj, however, snapped Head with a delivery that squeezed him on the pull and struck the bail instead, just as they were starting to form a partnership. It enabled CSK to exert some pressure and monitor the run-rate.

Little separates the teams in the middle overs.

Phase Score: 77 out of 3. (RR 8.55; 5/3) 4s/6s

With frequent wickets impeding their momentum, SRH was unable to escape CSK. Soon after the Powerplay, Heinrich Klaasen was signed by Ravindra Jadeja, which greatly boosted CSK’s chances. SRH’s primary firepower throughout that top-order, Ishan Kishan, who had his eye in it, lost to the flow of play.

Prior to that, he and Aniket Verma had put up a productive 36-run partnership that prevented SRH from losing their way on a difficult surface. As Kishan started to accelerate, bringing CSK back into the game, he was caught aiming for a hard hit against Noor Ahmad. In his next over, Noor also defeated Verma, putting SRH in trouble going into the finish line. The final five overs left them in need of forty-one.

Death Overs: Nitish clinical, Kamindu Mendis

Phase Score: 41/0 (4s/6s: 4/0; RR 12.05)

In the final overs, CSK’s preferred bowlers, Pathirana and Noor, were both hammered for boundaries by Kamindu Mendis. Against Pathirana, Nitish Reddy also contributed with some astute batting that earned him a few boundaries. At the crucial point, both Noor and Pathirana began giving up extras, which helped SRH. The pursuit was ultimately easy because of their undefeated 49-run partnership.

Summary: Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings 155/5 in 18.4 overs (Ishan Kishan 44) by 5 wickets after Chennai Super Kings were 154 all out (Dewald Brevis 42; Harshal Patel 4-28).

What comes next?

Three days later, on April 30, the Chennai Super Kings will play the Punjab Kings at home, while on May 2, Sunrisers Hyderabad will travel to Ahmedabad to play the Gujarat Titans.