IPL 2019: Chennai Super Kings Vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Highlights: Watson blitz powers CSK to a 6-wicket win

Chennai, April 24: Shane Watson brought back memories of last year's IPL final with a blazing knock that has now almost ensured a playoff berth for Chennai Super Kings as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in Chennai on Tuesday (April 23).

On a vastly improved Chepauk track, Watson roared back to form with a 96 off 53 balls as CSK stuttered a bit in end before winning in 19.5 overs.

IPL 2019 Special Site | Points Table

Watson's innings studded with nine fours and half a dozen of sixes ensured that CSK have reached the cut-off limit of 16 points needed for the play-off even though they would like to finish in the top two.
Watson's innings would also be a relief for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had urged the top order to finish matches.

CSK v SRH: As it happened

A 77-run stand between Watson and Suresh Raina (38) created the platform and the former Australia all-rounder singlehandedly decimated the Sunrisers attack.

What made it more difficult for the Sunrisers was the fact that their strike bowler Rashid Khan was pulverised by Watson, who took him to the cleaners with 44 coming off his spell.

Will @msdhoni tell @bhogleharsha the secret to @ChennaiIPL's consistency, season after season 👀#CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/FMasdNUqzP

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2019

Sandeep Sharma was another bowler, who was handed severe punishment as he went for 54 in 3.5 overs. Sandeep repeatedly bowled short and Watson would gleefully pull him. Skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/18 in 4 overs) had no option but to bowl the 19th over and left Sandeep with nine runs to defend.

Manish Pandey is our key performer for the @SunRisers for his stupendous knock of 83* off 49 deliveries.#CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/VI0u7EKe4U

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2019

However, Kedar Jadhav literally finished the match with a six off the second ball that sealed the deal.

Earlier, the immensely talented Manish Pandey was back in his element as his unbeaten 83 off 49 balls powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a fighting 175 for 3 after being put into bat.

Yet another match-winning innings by @ShaneRWatson33 against SRH handed him the Man of the match award for #CSKvSRH#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/nZSCK3bpAy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2019

Pandey and league's current leading run-scorer David Warner (57 off 45 balls) added 115 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a decent score on what was the best batting track on offer at the Chepauk.

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh struck an early blow, having the in-form Jony Bairstow caught behind in the second over for a duck.

He was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 39 in four overs while Deepak Chahar picked up the wicket of Vijay Shankar (26 off 20 balls).

.@ChennaiIPL have made it a habit to take it to the last over but finish the game, winning by 6 wickets 💛#CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/8gAiGUx6oX

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2019

Despite the early dismissal of Bairstow, the visiting team didn't get tied down as the irrepressible Warner and Manish Pandey kept hitting those boundaries and sixes. They brought up the team's 50 in the sixth over.

Pandey who has not been in the best form, hit his straps, scoring freely and was not afraid to go over the top. Dhoni's shuffling of the bowlers didn't make much of an impact as Warner and Pandey kept attacking.

The 🇦🇺 superstar has crossed 8⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ runs in T20 cricket!#CSKvSRH #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/cbE7B85U9U

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2019

Pandey was the first to reach 50 in 25 balls, pulling one from Dwayne Bravo for a boundary.
Warner was a touch slower in comparison to Pandey but didn't miss out when the opportunity presented itself and hit a couple of big sixes.

The pugnacious Warner fell against the run of play, victim of Dhoni's trademark lightning quick stumping off a Harbhajan delivery. The Australian, who is leading the run charts this season, fell for 57 (45 balls, 3x4, 2X6) after adding 115 runs for the second wicket with Pandey.