IPL 2022, CSK vs SRH: Chennai Super Kings lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad for fourth straight defeat

Abhishek scores 75, TN boys Natarajan, Washington shine with the ball to help SRH hand Super Kings 4th straight lossThis is the year of change in the IPL. Old order is giving way to the new and Chennai Super Kings - the champions of 'old-school' T20 - are bearing the brunt. AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD | POINTS TABLEThe other day it was Ayush Badoni, then it was Vaibhav Arora, and on Saturday it was Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma who handed CSK their fourth loss in a row - the first time since 2010. Abhishek, a 21-year-old left-hander, played an innings of pure class on a pitch where shot-making wasn't easy as SRH ran away to an eight-wicket win with 16 balls to spare. The back-of-the-length delivery on this DY Patil pitch was stopping just a bit and when CSK managed 154-7, one felt it would shape up into quite a game.

But Abhishek (75 off 50 balls) was mentored by the great Kane Williamson in the middle and the two put up 89 for the opening-wicket stand in 12.1 overs that all but took the game away from CSK. Abhishek, a fluent player, didn't take unnecessary risks in the powerplay and waited for the loose ball. The fact that CSK lack pace bowlers who can bowl a back of the length delivery effectively, made things a little easier. Both Abhishek and Williamson ran well between the wickets, took the twos putting the ball into the deeper pockets of the field, and soon CSK were running out of answers. Even when Williamson was finally dismissed, Abhishek didn't seem to feel any pressure. Some of his back-foot punches were an absolute treat and the busy Rahul Tripathi (39 no off 15 balls) at the other end did just enough to make things even more comfortable.

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