What a game, ladies and gents! Chennai make an inspirational comeback from the jaws of defeat and plunge themselves into their 7th Indian T20 League final. Hyderabad narrowly missed out tonight, but they aren't out of just yet. They still have an opportunity to make it to the final, in Qualifier 2, but will have to wait to see who emerges victorious in the Eliminator. Kolkata and Rajasthan will face off in it on 23rd May, at 1900 local (1330 GMT). You don't want to miss it. See you folks then!
Faf du Plessis gets the Man of the Match award! Says that it's nice to make a contribution tonight. Adds that last night he was reflecting on the game that he played in Mumbai and took confidence from that. Says that when you are out there batting, you focus on batting till the end and hope something special happens. Mentions about Shardul Thakur who came in and hit a few boundaries. Feels the wicket was not easy to bat on and credits Hyderabad for bowling really well. Has a word of praise for Rashid Khan and admits that he was very tough to play as he bowls very quickly. Is happy to cross the line.
MS Dhoni is smiling and says that when you are on top it gives you the liberty to lose and even if they would have lost, they would have got the second chance. Adds that they bowled really well and there was something in it for the bowlers which even Bhuvneshwar got and was nicely backed by Rashid Khan. Admits that they kept losing wickets and that's why they had to push themselves towards the end. Feels it all happens in the knockout stages and wants his team to learn from this experience and keep on improving constantly. On death bowling, Dhoni replies he has the best combination and these are the resources he has. Agrees that they will get hit at some point of time, it may hurt but these are the bowlers who need to step up one final time. (On Faf du Plessis' knock) Dhoni replies that's where the experience counts. Quotes 'you need to train the mind more than the body' and you can come to use when handed the opportunity. Adds that Faf batted really well and hopes that he continues in the final also. Proudly says that they are a good team and it reflects the dressing room atmosphere that they create and thanks the support staff also.
Kane Williamson is disappointed and says that the trip to Kolkata will be interesting. Adds that they were short by a few runs. Praises his bowlers and feels that the game swung their way but then is quick to admit that they weren't at their best towards the end. Feels that most times they would have defended that total but credits the lower order of Chennai. Hopes that they will learn from this game and move to the next match. Lauds the knock of Faf du Plessis and reckons it's going to be hard work for them in Kolkata.
Hyderabad were maybe 15-20 runs short. Though, despite that, they were exceptional with the ball tonight. Started off well, restricted Chennai to 62/6 and were right on top, but such is this format where the margin for error is less. The Brathwaite over stole the momentum from them. Siddarth Kaul too got taken for runs in the next over, thereby seeing them miss out. Rashid Khan in particular was the standout performer, conceding just 11 runs and picking up 2 wickets in his spell. Earlier in the evening, Brathwaite powered his team close to 140, but a clinical performance for the most part from the Chennai bowlers did just enough to help their batters gun the target down.
What a game. Chennai have defeated Hyderabad for the third time this season to storm into the finals. Ambati Rayudu did one over them twice, and now, it's Faf du Plessis who becomes the star of the show. Talk about the perfect timing to find some form. Chennai lost their way early chasing 140, and were staring down the barrel of a defeat. Things almost slipped out of their hands till that Carlos Brathwaite over in the 18th, where 23 runs were scored from it by Faf. That completely changed the tide and along with Shardul Thakur in the end, the Protea got his side over the line with a well-deserved fifty.
B Kumar to du Plessis, SIX! Faf du Plessis has finished the game in one blow! Kumar relies on his slower knuckle delivery first up, drops it on a full length around off but Faf picks it up and lofts it nonchalantly over the bowler's head for a maximum. The South African raises his hands in triumph as his teammates come running from the dugout. Emotions pouring out in the middle as the players in yellow are jumping and hugging each other. What a win! What a game! Chennai win by 2 wickets and are in the final!
6 needed off 6 balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl. Faf du Plessis will be on strike.
S Kaul to S Thakur, FOUR! Shardul Thakur, the Mumbai lad, is doing it! Kaul delivers it full and on middle, Shardul smashes it straight down the ground and the long on fielder has no chance of cutting it off. He is playing a gem. Remember, he was taken for 20 runs in his last over while bowling and this is the best possible way to pay back.
S Kaul to S Thakur, Very full and around off, Thakur drills it down to long off and rushes back for the second run. The throw comes to the bowler who fails to collect it as du Plessis whizzes past the crease. Great running.
S Kaul to du Plessis, Goes back and punches it through covers for one.
S Kaul to du Plessis, Wide! The attempted slower delivery has gone wrong, it's too wide outside off. Du Plessis leaves it.
S Kaul to S Thakur, Fullish and outside off, chipped over the bowler's head for a single. 9 from 3 by Shardul, great hand in the context of this chase.
S Kaul to S Thakur, FOUR! Another streaky boundary, the crowd here in Mumbai is loving it. The famous Chinese cut. Unintentional, of course. On a good length around middle, 134.2 kph, Thakur tries playing it firmly down the ground but it takes the inside half of the bat and this time speeds past the left side of the keeper. A boundary at fine leg.
S Kaul to S Thakur, FOUR! EDGY! But Chennai won't mind how they come as long as they come. A low full toss outside off, Thakur tries to keep it out but ends up edging it past the diving keeper for a boundary at third man.
Siddarth Kaul is back on.
C Brathwaite to du Plessis, FOUR! That's rocketed to the fence. Fullish and outside off, Faf bludgeons it through cover-point and finds the rope. 20 from the over, 23 needed off 12 balls.
Shardul Thakur comes out next.
C Brathwaite to du Plessis, OUT! Harbhajan is short! The delivery is full and outside off, once again du Plessis drills it to deep extra cover and this time there is a fielder positioned there. Rashid Khan it is and he dives to make the stop. Then, he stands up to fire a flat throw to the bowler who takes the bails off. They appeal and the umpire goes upstairs. The replays find Harbhajan Singh short of the crease. Also, Rashid Khan seems to have hurt himself and is receiving some medical attention near the boundary line.