Ahmedabad, May 22: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have become the third team to exit the playoff race in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In the 66th match of the season on Thursday, CSK faced a crushing defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) by 89 runs.
Before CSK, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have secured their spots in the playoffs.
This season, CSK has managed to win only 6 out of 14 matches, placing them 7th in the points table with 12 points. In contrast, Gujarat Titans have solidified their position in second place with 18 points, winning 9 out of 14 matches.
Batting first after losing the toss at Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat Titans posted an impressive total of 229 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, thanks to a stellar performance from their top order. Captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan provided a strong start with a partnership of 125 runs off 74 balls.
Gill scored 64 runs off 37 balls, hitting 3 sixes and 7 fours before being dismissed. Sudharsan continued the momentum, adding 84 runs off 53 balls, including 4 sixes and 7 fours, in a partnership of 82 runs with Jos Buttler for the second wicket. Sudharsan was out on the second ball of the 19th over, followed by the dismissal of Rahul Tewatia for a duck on the next delivery.
Buttler then played a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 57 runs off 27 balls, helping the team reach a formidable total. From the opposition, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, and Anshul Kamboj each took one wicket.
In response, Chennai Super Kings were bowled out for just 140 runs in 13.4 overs. They suffered an early setback, losing Sanju Samson for a duck on the very first ball. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to stabilize the innings with Matthew Short, adding 29 runs for the second wicket in just 13 balls. However, the team collapsed after Gaikwad’s dismissal.
Gaikwad contributed 16 runs, while Short scored 24 runs off 14 balls, hitting 1 six and 3 fours. Karthik Sharma added 19 runs to the total. CSK lost 5 wickets for just 63 runs. Shivam Dube tried to revive the innings, forming a partnership of 53 runs off 21 balls with Dewald Brevis, but it was not enough to secure a win. Dube scored 47 runs off 17 balls, hitting 4 sixes and 4 fours. From the bowling side, Mohammad Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan each took 3 wickets.
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