Hyderabad: Chennai Super Kings produced one of the most spectacular batting displays of the Indian Premier League to bury Sunrisers Hyderabad under an avalanche of runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Wednesday May 8.

Chennai s batsmen had an off day in their previous game against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday , but Suresh Raina, who finished unbeaten on 99, and Michael Hussey (67 off 42 balls) decimated Hyderabad’s hitherto impressive bowling attack, amassing a daunting total of 223 for 3 after being put in to bat.

With their confidence thoroughly shaken, Hyderabad failed to extend their unbeaten run at home, slumping to a 77-run loss, their first in six games at the venue.

Though Dale Steyn set the tone for Hyderabad starting with a maiden over, Ishant Sharma was guilty of failing to capitalize on the good start. Murali Vijay and Hussey got Chennai off to a flying start, adding 45 in just 5.2 overs. Vijay cut loose with the last three balls of the fourth over, towering sixes over deep square-leg off Ishant’s bowling.

Thisara Pereira ended Vijays cameo, getting an edge to Parthiv Patel, the wicketkeeper. But with a line-up as formidable as Chennais, Hyderabads woes were far from over. Hussey cut Amit Mishra with panache, and hit Karan Sharma for six over long-on. At the other end, Raina was all sweet timing as he extended his good form.

Karan Sharma failed to grab a chance at point when Raina was on 27, and he made most of the reprieve. As the fours and sixes flowed, Kumar Sangakkara tried to curb the mayhem by bowling out Amit Mishra, his most successful bowler. But Ishant conceded 25 in an over, and by the time Hussey was dismissed off Perera’s bowling in the 17th over, the partnership had amassed 133 in 72 deliveries.

Perera took 3 wickets, though his spell cost 45. Dale Steyn went for only 17, but was wicketless.

Hyderabads batting had been their Achilles heel throughout the tournament, and it failed yet again as the top order tumbled within nine overs. Shikar Dhawans unfortunate run-out was complemented by R Ashwins dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara. When Raina and Mohit Sharma got rid of Hanuma Vihari and Darren Sammy in the space of three deliveries, Hyderabad’s challenge was as good as over.

Patel (44 off 30 balls) started off briskly, but he too succumbed to the pressure of an asking rate that had gone past 13 per over. Chennai’s win took them to 20 points from 13 matches, and virtually assured them of a playoff spot. Hyderabad stay in fifth place on 14