One surface, two plans and an anticlimactic ending

For a period of 24 hours leading up to this game, there was a strong buzz that Chepauk would witness one last dance from its favourite son. MS Dhoni made his way to the stadium for the first time on a match day, something he has not done so far this campaign due to injury. However, all hopes were put to rest when Dhoni didn't walk out of the dressing room.

On a night when the spotlight was expected to fall on one wicketkeeper, three others stepped up instead. Sanju Samson, Urvil Patel (who smashed two sixes off Pat Cummins), and Kartik Sharma all fired before being back in the pavilion by the halfway stage.

CSK were dragged back by a problem that has hurt them throughout the season. Ruturaj Gaikwad made a sluggish 15 off 21 balls at the top. Among openers who have faced at least 100 balls this season, Gaikwad has the lowest strike rate.

Still, 180 looked competitive on a surface slower than expected. SRH's seamers — Cummins, Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain — repeatedly bowled cutters and slower balls. Assistant coach James Franklin admitted SRH were surprised by the nature of the surface, calling it "almost a bit of a throwback to an old Chennai wicket."

SRH adapted quickly but CSK did not, despite having a blueprint in front of them. SRH's pacers bowled 39 slower balls; CSK's seamers bowled only 12. CSK largely continued with pace-on deliveries and allowed Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen to settle. Akeal Hosein created pressure with the ball on a slow surface but was taken out of the attack despite conditions favouring him — he didn't finish his quota.

Head coach Stephen Fleming pointed to dew but admitted CSK expected 181 to be enough: "Our bowlers are more seam bowlers. This was the first time we've had a pitch that's slow and holding. We didn't get the same assistance."

This defeat leaves CSK with very little room to recover in the points table. Injuries have disrupted their season repeatedly and Dhoni hasn't played a single game. Gaikwad had given fans hope during the toss by claiming Dhoni could come into contention for their last league game. Instead, on a night that began with hope and expectation, they were left to rue another opportunity lost.