Shane Watson scored his first half-century of this Indian Premier League season as Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the much-anticipated clash between two teams in form.
The Australian all-rounder, whose century in last year's final against the same side earned him the Man-of-the-Match award, was in belligerent mood once again as he pounded six sixes and nine fours en route to a 53-ball 96.
Chennai are out on their own at the top of the league with 16 points from 11 matches, with Delhi Capitals second with 14 points, also from 11 games. Hyderabad stay in fourth place on 10 points, two behind Mumbai Indians, having played 10 games.
Earlier in the evening, Chennai won the toss and captain MS Dhoni opted to field first – a decision that looked to be backfiring on the home team at one point.
Hyderabad were cruising along at 120-1, with David Warner (57) scoring his seventh fifty of the season and putting on a 115-run partnership with top-scorer Manish Pandey (83).
The stand came about after opener Jonny Bairstow was dismissed for nought in what looks to be his last IPL 2019 game before returning to England to join his national teammates for Cricket World Cup preparations. Eventually, though, the visitors reached 175-3 in their 20 overs.
Like Hyderabad, Chennai also lost an early wicket, with Faf du Plessis falling for one. But Watson strung together good partnerships with Suresh Raina (38) and Ambati Rayudu (21) to ensure victory.
