IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings beat SunRisers Hyderabad by seven wickets

A 129-run opening stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets in an Indian Premier League contest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Wednesday.

Gaikwad made 75 off 44 balls (12x4) while du Plessis scored 56 off 38 balls (6x4, 1x6) as CSK chased down 171/3 put up by SRH with nine balls to spare.

SRH struggled to get wickets, as their pace trio of Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed and Siddarth Kaul couldn't get any assistance from the placid pitch.

The three conceded 92 runs in 11.3 overs as the CSK openers made merry.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan took 3/36 in his four



overs but he was far from miserly on a pitch that helped strokeplay.

CSK raced to 50 without loss in the powerplay stage.

Both Gaikwad and du Plessis have had successful opening partnerships in the past few matches. They added 115 in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders, 74 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and 129 against SRH on Wednesday.

By the time both were dismissed by Rashid, CSK were already on course for a win.

Brief scores: SunRisers Hyderabad 171/3 in 20 overs (M Pandey 61, D Warner 57, K Williamson 26 not out, L Ngidi 2/35, S Curran 1/30) vs Chennai Super Kings 173/3 in 18.3 overs (R Gaikwad 75, F du Plessis 56, R Khan 3/36).