(Video) Kavya Maran’s epic reaction to Kamindu Mendis completely missing Noor Ahmad’s free hit goes viral

SRH owner Kavya Maran reacted with disbelief when Kamindu Mendis missed a free hit off Noor Ahmad's delivery, during the SRH-CSK match.

(Video) Kavya Maran’s epic reaction to Kamindu Mendis completely missing Noor Ahmad’s free hit goes viral

SRH's Kamindu Mendis missed a free hit off Noor Ahmad's delivery, to the utter dissapointment of SRH owner Kavya Maran. (via X)

Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran had a hilariously amused reaction, as she was left in disbelief after Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis failed to hit a free hit during SRH’s match against Chennai Super Kings. Mendis misjudged the free hit ball, bowled by Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad.

Friday night was one of joy for SRH, who ended their two-match losing streak with a win over CSK, keeping them alive in the IPL play-offs race. The win lifted the team to the eighth position on the table. It also marked the Orange Army’s first-ever victory at Chepauk. The visitors managed to chase down a target of 155 runs in 18.4 overs, with Ishan Kishan emerging as top-scorer with a brisk 44 run-knock. 

However, the chase was not an easy one for SRH, with CSK putting pressure at them by taking wickets at regular intervals. A solid 49-run sixth-wicket partnership, between all-rounders Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Kumar Reddy, sealed the match for the visitors. Interestingly, SRH owner, Kavya Maran, who is very often spotted in the stands, took social media by storm for her animated reaction during the match. 

During SRH’s chase, a rather frustrating moment occurred in the 16th over, involving Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis. The 26-year-old, batting on 15, received a golden chance after CSK spinner Noor Ahmad overstepped his line to deliver a no-ball. Mendis however, failed to capitalize on the free-hit that followed, as he missed a tossed-up delivery outside the off stump while attempting a slog sweep.

Kamindu Mendis’ miss left that SRH owner Kavya Maran and the Orange Army fans’ fuming, likewise. While the free-hit miss was celebrated by the home crowd with sarcastic cheers and roars, Kavya Maran noted her frustration and disbelief at the missed opportunity. Her reaction went viral on social media, as he rose from her seat and waved her hand to show disappointment, in a blink-and-miss moment.

Another no ball in the same over by Noor Ahmad left the CSK distraught, as the young spinner gave away 42 runs in his four-over spell. Meanwhile, Kamindu Mendis made up for his free-hit miss by going on to score the winning runs for SRH. The 26-year-old all-rounder hit a composed knock of 32 runs off 22 balls. Meanwhile, SRH pacer Harshal Patel won the MOTM award for his four-wicket haul.

Following the win, SRH will now be hoping to script a Royal Challengers Bengaluru-style comeback, to make it to the playoffs this season. They next face table-topper Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by a home game against Delhi Capitals. 

Daniel Vettori claims Kamindu Mendis’ catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis was the game-changer, against CSK

Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori praised Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis for his gravity-defying catch at long-off, against CSK. Vettori assessed that Mendis’ catch changed the course of the match in favor of the Orange Army, as it helped dismiss Dewald Brevis.

Kamindu Mendis catch
SRH’s Kamindu Mendis caught a stunning catch, to dismiss CSK’s Dewald Brevis. (via X)

Brevis, replacing Rachin Ravindra in the CSK lineup, smashed an impressive 42 runs off 25 balls, hitting one four and four sixes. Daniel Vettori admitted that had the young South African batter stayed on the pitch, he could have easily helped CSK post a competitive total, well above 154 runs. Brevis was dismissed by Harshal Patel in the 14th over, after Kamindu Mendis grabbed a flyer at long-off.

Vettori praised Mendis’ instinct and ability to judge the ball. The former New Zealand international also claimed that even a good fielder takes just one of two catches of such kind, throughout his career. He added that Kamindu Mendis’ effort also allowed SRH to exert pressure on the CSK batting unit.