Cricket news round-up – 1 April 2019: Hyderabad, Chennai win, Australia whitewash Pakistan

Sunrisers Hyderabad thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first of two IPL matches on Sunday. Later at night, an MS Dhoni special helped Chennai Super Kings earn a hard-fought win against Rajasthan Royals. In Dubai, Australia completed their whitewash over Pakistan. And off the field, Dimuth Karunaratne has been arrested for drunk driving.

Sunrisers demolish Royal Challengers

David Warner (100 not out in 55 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (114 in 56) put on their third century partnership in as many matches, this time adding 185 in 98 balls – a record opening stand in IPL history. This was also the second time in IPL history that two batsmen scored hundreds in the same innings. Hyderabad finished on 231/2 at Uppal.

Bangalore were never in the hunt after Mohammad Nabi (4/11) reduced them to 35/6. The unlikely pair of Colin de Grandhomme and Prayas Ray Barman helped them reach 113 in the end.

“Thala” Dhoni seals it for Chennai

Chennai were in tatters at 27/3 against Rajasthan at Chepauk. It could have been 27/4, but MS Dhoni survived when he played on against Jofra Archer before he had scored a run: the ball hit the stumps but the bails were not dislodged.

Dhoni (75 not out in 46) added 61 with Suresh Raina, 56 with Dwayne Bravo, and a further 9-ball 31 with Ravindra Jadeja to take Chennai to 175/5.

Rajasthan were reduced to 14/3 before Rahul Tripathi and Steven Smith added 61 in 41 balls. Later, Ben Stokes added 44 in 18 with Archer. Rajasthan needed 12 off the last over, but they scored 3 and lost 2 wickets to Bravo.

Chennai have not won all 3 of their matches, while Bangalore and Rajasthan have lost all 3.

Australia complete whitewash

Australia pulled off a 5-0 rout of Pakistan with a 20-run win at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Usman Khawaja (98), Aaron Finch (53), Shaun Marsh (61), and Glenn Maxwell (70 in 33) took Australia to 327/7 as Usman Shinwari took 4/49.

Pakistan were in the match after Haris Sohail (130 in 129) added 108 with Shan Masood and 102 with Umar Akmal. Unfortunately, despite Imad Wasim’s 34-ball 50, Pakistan lost track and finished on 307/7.

Karunaratne arrested

Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne was arrested for drunk driving. Karunaratne was arrested at about 5.40 AM after he hit a three-wheeler on Sunday. Thankfully, the driver of the three-wheeler did not sustain any major injury. Karunaratne was granted bail later in the day.