IPL 2019, CSK vs SRH, Match 41: Watson's heroics cruise Chennai to 6 wicket-win

Chennai Super Kings climbed back on the top of the IPL 2019 points table with 16 points, reaching the cut-off limit of 16 points needed for the play-offs

Shane Watson brought back memories of last year's IPL final with a blazing knock that ensured a play-off berth for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets on Tuesday. Watson roared back to form with a 96 off 53 balls as CSK stuttered a bit in end before winning in 19.5 overs. His innings studded with nine fours and half a dozen 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. A 77-run stand between former Aussie all-rounder and Suresh Raina (38) created the platform and the former Australia all-rounder singlehandedly decimated the Sunrisers attack.

Watto Mania at Chepauk - 96(53) https://t.co/oz0SmyjK1C

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) April 23, 2019 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.

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. 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. Pandey and 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. 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. 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).