The home side put pressure in six minutes of added time for the winner but in the end, it ended all square.
Hyderabad missed talisman Bartholomew Ogbeche, lacking teeth upfront as the league's top-scorer served his suspension after picking up four yellow cards.
The result means Hyderabad moved third in the table with 17 points from 11 games
Chennaiyin remained sixth having 15 points from 11 matches.