Even though the game went to the fourth ball of the last over and many may think it was a close game, it wasn't. The more the game gets closer, the more comfortable MS Dhoni gets at the crease and less chances for the opposition. In Vintage Dhoni style, he finished things off with a six, that too over long-on.

The pitches are getting awful for the batsman as the tournament goes on, and they aren't gonna get any better going forward. For a tournament of this stature, where the whole cricketing world stops to watch, the IPL deserves better. But in lifetime dictates everything. In these times, we should be thankful that at least cricket is being played.

After the win in the previous game, one would've thought the Sunrisers finally found their mojo back. But from yesterday's performance with the bat, we can safely say that the win against the Royals was just an aberration. Losing the toss and put in to bat, the Sunrisers lost Jason Roy early. It was he, that brought about a new look onto this batting line-up in the previous game.

When skipper Kane Williamson was plumb in front of a Bravo delivery, the innings, why the game was all but over. Such has been the dependence of the Hyderabad team on these overseas pros. That's why many people were gobsmacked when David Warner dropped from the playing 11, because in the last four to five years, he has single-handedly carried this team's batting forward. Without a solid backup plan, I wonder how such a huge decision could be made. 

Wriddhiman Saha was the lone shining light with the bat, even with a strike rate below 100, as he made 44 off 46. Dwayne Bravo made the most of these conditions as he gave away a miserly 17 off his four. His deceptive slower ones pinpoint yorkers and wide yorkers made it feel like the Bravo of the yesteryear's is back with the ball. Josh Hazelwood picked up a three for with tight lines and impeccable lengths.

The target of 135 was no match for this powerful batting lineup. The good looking, classy, in-form pair of the super kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis made of mockery of the pitch. For some time there, it seemed like there were batting on a different strip. Gaikwad in particular entertained everyone with his splendid stroke-play. He even took Rashid on, when he thumped him for a boundary and a six off his first two deliveries. Faf just kept hitting the quickies over the infield, whilst the pair motored along to a 75 run stand in 10 overs.

Ever since he's been left out of the world cup squad, Jason Holder has been giving such splendid performances, which feels like he wants to prove the selectors wrong in every game he plays. Yesterday was no different, as we assessed the pitch better than anyone from the side and bowled tough lengths and made it hard for the batters. He made the breakthrough for Sunrisers after morale defeating opening stand, removing Gaikwad for a well made 45. Coming on for his second spell, he scalped Faf with a slower bouncer and yorked Raina to trap him plumb in front. Raina didn't even have a look at the non-striker to have a chat about the review.

But even with all the impressive stuff from Holder, the game was a long way away from them. Dhoni and Rayudu joined forces when Chennai needed to run a ball to win, and like they always like to do, they pushed the game to the final over. On the fourth ball of the 20th with 2 to get from 3, Dhoni launched one into the orbit and sealed the spot for his team into the playoffs, if there was any doubt of it happening.

Brief scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 134/7 in 20 overs (Wriddhiman Saha 44, Josh Hazlewood 3-24, Dwayne Bravo 2-17) lost to Chennai Super Kings 139/4 in 19.4 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 45, Faf du Plessis 41; Jason Holder 3-27) by 6 wickets.