It was a night of mixed emotions for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday. While SRH celebrated a historic win at Chepauk, their team owner, Kavya Maran, was caught in a moment of disbelief after Kamindu Mendis missed a golden opportunity to capitalize on a free-hit. The incident quickly went viral on social media, with Maran’s reaction stealing the spotlight.
SRH’s Historic Win at Chepauk
SRH secured their first-ever victory at Chepauk, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a decisive win over CSK. After restricting CSK to 154 runs, the SRH chase looked set for a smooth finish. However, it was during the 16th over of the chase that a bizarre moment unfolded.
The Free-Hit Miss
In the 16th over, CSK’s Noor Ahmad overstepped, giving Kamindu Mendis a free-hit. With SRH cruising towards the target, Mendis was on 15 runs at the time. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, Mendis swung and missed at a tossed-up delivery outside off stump. The ball spun away, and Mendis was left frustrated, resulting in a dot ball—an unexpected turn of events on a free-hit.
Kavya Maran’s Viral Reaction
The incident wasn’t just a rare cricket moment; it also highlighted SRH owner Kavya Maran’s reaction, which quickly became a viral sensation. Cameras captured Maran’s animated expression—a mix of surprise, disbelief, and frustration—as she watched Mendis fail to make the most of a golden opportunity. Fans and social media users couldn’t help but comment on her visible dismay, making the moment a trending topic online.
Mendis’ Redemption and SRH Victory
Despite the free-hit miss, Kamindu Mendis made up for it with a composed knock of 32 not out from 22 balls, guiding SRH towards their target. His partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who contributed with 19* off 16 balls, ensured SRH’s victory with eight balls to spare, sealing a five-wicket win.
Strong Bowling Performance by SRH
Before the chase, SRH’s bowlers set the foundation for the win. Harshal Patel was exceptional with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, while Pat Cummins supported him well with figures of 2/21 in his four overs. Their combined efforts restricted CSK to a modest total of 154, with Dewald Brevis’ explosive 42 being the only noteworthy contribution.
SRH’s Playoff Hopes Alive
While SRH’s victory wasn’t entirely straightforward, the win marked an important milestone in their IPL 2025 campaign. The team now has three wins and continues to fight for a place in the playoffs. Despite a few stumbles in the chase, Ishan Kishan’s knock of 44 runs and Mendis’ composed finish ensured the win.
What Captain Cummins Said
Reflecting on the win, SRH captain Pat Cummins said, “Our record against CSK isn’t that great, so it’s good to fix that one up. We wish we finished that more comfortably, but overall, happy with that win.”
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis, and viral moments!