The New Zealand skipper was supported ably by Chennai captain MS Dhoni, who scored 53 off 29 balls. PHOTO: FILE/AFP
The New Zealand skipper was supported ably by Chennai captain MS Dhoni, who scored 53 off 29 balls.
The Chennai side went off to a good start when McCullum and Dwayne Smith added 75 for the opening stand before Trent Boult broke the partnership with a direct throw.
Boult was the only Hyderabad bowler to grab a wicket when he dismissed Dhoni as the other three batsmen were all dismissed on run outs. Ishant Sharma proved to be particularly expensive with figures of 0-46 in just three overs, while the part-time military medium of Ravi Bopara proved to be the most economical as the England man gave away only 29 in his four overs.
McCullum batted through the innings to ensure that his side posted a steep 209-4 for their opponents to chase.
In reply, Hyderabad kept losing wickets and were never able to gain enough momentum, with David Warner’s 42-ball 53 being the only effort past the second-highest score of 26, made by Shikhar Dhawan. The left-handed Indian opener threatened early on with a quickfire 18-ball 26 but was dismissed by compatriot Mohit Sharma.
Darren Bravo and Mohit claimed two wickets apiece, while Ravichandran Ashwin also impressed with figures of 1-22 in his four overs.
The run chase became all but academic when Warner, threatening to go berserk in the final five overs, was caught by Smith at deep midwicket off Ishwar Pandey in the 15th over.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2015.
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