Thanks to a brilliant opening partnership, Chennai Super Kings registered an emphatic win over Sunrisers Hyderabad played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Wednesday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Jonny Bairstow won the toss and decided to bat first. Jonny Bairstow was dropped early but could not make use of the chance as Sam Curran got his wicket with good field placement by MS Dhoni providing an easy catch to Faf du Plessis at deep square leg. Manish Pandey coming back into XI played some lovely shots, but Warner struggled to time the ball. At the end of the first six overs, SRH scored 39 for 1.

After the field restrictions, CSK bowlers kept tight lines and lengths not allowing both Warner and Pandey to score runs easily. At the end of the first timeout, SRH ended at 54 for 1. Warner could not time the ball and hit the ball straight to fielders while Pandey showed some intent to hit boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Warner was not able to hit big shots at will while Pandey also kept him good company. At the end of the second timeout, SRH scored 102 for 1.

Manish Pandey returned to form reaching fifty off 35 balls. Warner smacked a six to gain momentum reaching fifty off 50 balls. Ngidi struck twice in one over by dismissing both Warner and Pandey. Warner sliced a shot by providing an easy catch to Jadeja. Warner and Pandey added 106 runs for the 2^nd wicket. A superb diving effort by Faf du Plessis at long-on ended the innings for Pandey.

Kane Williamson coming at number 4 provided the impetus for SRH hitting 20 runs off Shardul Thakur in the 19^th over. He hit 3 boundaries and 1 six to gain momentum. Kedar Jadhav also joined in with 1 boundary and 1 six off Sam Curran in the 20^th over. Williamson and Kedar added unbeaten 37 runs from 13 balls helping SRH post 171 for 3.

Chasing 172 runs to win, Faf du Plessis looked in sublime touch hitting boundaries putting pressure on the SRH bowlers. On the other hand, Gaikwad could not time the ball initially but smashed bad balls away for boundaries. At the end of the first six overs, CSK made 50 for 0.

After the field restrictions, CSK openers took the attack J Suchith and kept the scoreboard ticking. At the end of the first timeout, Gaikwad and du Plessis scored 67 for 0. Gaikwad looked a class apart hitting boundaries with ease against Suchith and Rashid Khan. Faf du Plessis also scored with ease making life tough for SRH bowlers.

Faf du Plessis continued his superb form reaching fifty off 32 balls while Gaikwad smacked half-century off 36 balls. Rashid Khan provided the breakthrough finally for SRH to get rid of Gaikwad with good delivery. CSK openers put on 129 runs. With that, the second timeout was called.

Moeen Ali came to the crease and showed his intent hitting 3 boundaries. Rashid Khan got rid of Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis in the same over. Moeen was caught by Jadhav at the boundary while du Plessis was LBW. Suresh Raina faced some troubles against the short ball. He and Ravindra Jadeja ensured that CSK won the match easily. Suresh Raina hit winning runs with a boundary.

CSK 173 for 3 in 18.3 overs (Gaikwad 75, Faf du Plessis 56, Rashid Khan 3/36) beat SRH 171 for 3 in 20 overs (Pandey 61, Warner 57, Ngidi 2/35) by 7 wickets.

With this win, CSK moves up to the top of the points table. For his 75 off 44 balls, Gaikwad was named the man of the match. Mumbai Indians will face RR in the first match at Delhi while DC will take on KKR at Ahmedabad.