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- CSK vs GT highlights, IPL 2026: Sai Sudharsan, Kagiso Rabada shine as Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets
CSK vs GT highlights, IPL 2026: Sai Sudharsan, Kagiso Rabada shine as Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets
If the first half belonged to the bowlers, the chase was all about calculated aggression as Sudharsan produced a shining tutorial in adapting to conditions, smashing 87 off 46 balls to anchor Titans’ comfortable pursuit of 159.
The win moved Titans to fifth position from seventh with eight points.
On a pitch that had earlier demanded caution, Sudharsan showed how to blend restraint with intent, picking the right deliveries to attack while respecting the bounce on offer.
He found an able partner in skipper Shubman Gill, who made a brisk 33 off 23 balls before falling to spinner Noor Ahmad.
The Titans openers laid a solid foundation with a 58-run stand, effectively taking the game away from CSK in the Powerplay itself. Gill looked fluent, mixing elegance with aggression, but his dismissal did little to slow the visitors.
Sudharsan, who had struck a century in the previous game against RCB, carried his sublime form forward, unleashing a range of strokes, particularly against pace to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate.
The left-hander's seven sixes underlined his dominance on a surface where CSK’s batters had struggled earlier in the day.
Jos Buttler played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 39 off 30 balls as Titans reached 154 for 1, finishing the chase with 20 balls to spare.
Ahmad and Akeal Hosein took a wicket apiece while the rest struggled to contain the flow of runs as the Titans batters showed far better awareness of the conditions.
Earlier, on a pitch that offered sharp carry, stroke-making demanded discretion and adaptability.
Instead, CSK's batters often opted for high-risk shots without fully assessing conditions, and paid the price with a flurry of miscued dismissals, managing 158/7.
Invited to bat, CSK never quite found rhythm but skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden half-century (74 not out) of the current IPL season lent a semblance of respectability to the total in a season where 200-plus scores have become commonplace.
Gaikwad's knock came off 60 balls with six fours and four sixes after a laboured start.
The tone was set early by GT pacer Mohammed Siraj, who extracted steep bounce and forced errors.
Sanju Samson (11) began watchfully, negotiating the first over before opening up against Kagiso Rabada (3/25) to bring up his 5000 IPL runs milestone.
However, Rabada’s bounce soon accounted for him as a hard slash outside off resulted in a faint edge that Jos Buttler pouched safely.
The dismissal triggered a collapse. Urvil Patel (4) fell in the same Rabada over attempting an ambitious pull, while Sarfaraz Khan (0) succumbed to Siraj’s extra lift, mistiming a short ball to offer a simple catch.
At 28 for 3 inside the Powerplay, CSK were already in trouble.
Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis (2) needed to rebuild, but the latter’s impatience against spinner Manav Suthar led to his downfall, holing out after failing to get to the pitch of the ball.
The mounting wickets forced Gaikwad into a shell, an approach that, while understandable, further stalled the momentum.
Dot balls piled up, with CSK reaching 50 only in the 12th over.
The skipper eventually broke free, taking on Arshad Khan and Jason Holder with a couple of towering sixes, but the acceleration came too late.
Shivam Dube, dropped thrice on 6, 11 and 22, struggled for fluency before Arshad cleaned him up.
Kartik Sharma (15) and Jamie Overton (18) provided late impetus with a few lusty hits, but the damage had already been done.
On a pitch that rewarded discipline and smart shot selection, Titans' bowlers executed their plans to perfection, while CSK’s batters failed to read the conditions in time, a lapse that ultimately defined the innings.
Moving on - That wraps up a dominant, one-sided contest as the Gujarat Titans comfortably brush aside the Chennai Super Kings. The action now moves to Lucknow, where the Super Giants are taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders, and with the toss already done, LSG have opted to bowl first. You can switch tabs now to catch all the live action from that game. Cheers!
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Kagiso Rabada wins the award for his excellent bowling (3/25). He starts off saying that he doesn't feel he started well with the ball, but he is very happy that he did his job, and the team got the win, as it was an important win for them. On his bowling rhythm, he says that starting from his lineups to lengths, everything is clicking for him, but he doesn't want to take it for granted and would like to stick to the process of working hard. On working with Siraj, he replied that he has been working with him a lot lately, and it's always nice to see the fast bowlers coming together and the main part is that it's working as they are able to take wickets. But he also adds that it's also about containing runs and the journey has been lovely so far.
The victorious skipper of Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that he's definitely happy to get a win, especially in Chennai. Adds that it was a pretty good effort from the team out there and he was a bit confused whether to bowl first or bat first. Adds that they bowled really well in the Powerplay and the only concern is the way they end with the ball. On getting Rashid Khan really late in the attack, Gill adds that when Shivam Dube came in, they thought about giving Washington Sundar an over, but stuck with the bowlers who had already bowled, and even Manav Suthar did a good job bowling that final over. On Sai Sudharsan, Gill says that he's a fantastic player and is really happy for him.
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Presentation Time...
Time to hear from the local boy - GT's Sai Sudharsan says that he is very happy to come back and play in Chennai. On being asked about his batting, he says that he was high in confidence after his last match and he was looking forward to starting fresh today. He just took the positives from the previous match and tried not to overthink too much. About wickets getting better to bat later in the inning, he said that it actually did, but in the first six overs, it was hard to score runs. On celebrating after today's knock, he says that he has a favourite tea shop, so he will go over there and have some tea with bun maska.
The captain of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says that, to be honest, he hates to assess things in a harsh way, but feels that it was tough at the start of their innings and if they hadn't lost so many wickets in the Powerplay, they could have got to a total of around 180-190, which would have been defendable. Adds that in the last three games they played here, they got to know how 60-70 percent of the time the pitch would play here, but today they didn't have much of an idea. Gaikwad mentions that in the first time-out, the coach came out and had a chat with him, and Gaikwad told him that he's trying to shift gears and get out of the rut, but it just wasn't happening. Further says that it was an off day overall and they were even a bit lethargic in the field. On his own batting, Gaikwad says that he got off to a good start but he saw three quick wickets fall and had to build a stand and tried to rotate strike, rather than not give his wicket away and once he got going, he tried to keep the momentum up.
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Not enough on the board - Well, not much to praise about Chennai's bowling effort but to be honest, they simply didn't have enough runs on the board. They needed early breakthroughs and never got them, as Titans had an answer to every tactic. The fielding was a bit dicey too, with a few half-chances going down, though Sanju Samson showed sharp work behind the stumps to get rid of Gill. Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad picked up a wicket each, but it was far too little to defend such a low total.
Gaikwad lone warrior as CSK falter - Earlier in the game, CSK huffed and puffed their way to what looked like a below-par total, with Ruturaj Gaikwad carrying the innings with a gritty 74* off 60 while late cameos from Shivam Dube and Jamie Overton pushed them past 150. Apart from that, the scorecard lacked any real contribution, and GT's bowlers kept them in check throughout, with Kagiso Rabada starring with 3/25, Arshad Khan picking up two, and Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar, and Jason Holder all playing their part in a disciplined bowling effort.
A clinical chase - Gujarat Titans knew a flying start would put them miles ahead and that's exactly what Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan delivered, racing to 55 in the Powerplay to break the back of the chase. Gill fell short of a big score, but Sai carried his red-hot form, joining forces with Buttler for a superb 97-run stand that made sure there were no more hiccups. Sai eventually fell for a breathtaking 87 off just 46 balls with only 4 runs needed, but Buttler calmly finished the job with more than three overs to spare.
Titans conquer Chepauk - Gujarat Titans are back to winning ways and in some style. They completely outplayed the hosts, registering their first-ever win at Chepauk. Chennai Super Kings never looked like troubling the visitors and slumped to their second home defeat of the season.
Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, SIX! That's it, Jos Buttler finishes things off in style and GT have crossed the finish line with 20 balls to spare. Akeal Hosein gives this one a bit more air and drifts it in fuller onto middle. Buttler backs away well and tees off, launching it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. GUJARAT TITANS WIN BY 8 WICKETS!
Akeal Hosein to Washington Sundar, Shorter again, outside off, pulled off the back foot and down to deep mid-wicket for one.
The next batter in is Washington Sundar.
Akeal Hosein to Sai Sudharsan, OUT! CAUGHT! A stunner in the deep from Dewald Brevis and Sai Sudharsan will be disappointed here. Akeal Hosein bowls a quicker short ball on off, and the ball skids through a bit. Sudharsan rocks back and pulls it flat and hard to the right of deep mid-wicket. Brevis moves swiftly to his right, puts in a horizontal dive and grabs it with both hands at full-stretch to bring some joy to the home fans. Sudharsan departs for a fine knock of 87, with GT only needing 4 to win.
Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, A flatter length ball on middle and leg, Buttler nudges it away between square leg and mid-wicket for a single.
Strategic Break! Gujarat Titans are on the verge of a win here, and it has been a splendid performance from the visitors. With just 5 runs needed and 4 overs to go, GT will also improve their NRR after taking a big hit against MI, losing by 99 runs. Sai Sudharsan has been excellent again, with Jos Buttler providing good support, and once again the top 3 have done the job for them. Chennai Super Kings will need to quickly get this game out of their minds before going ahead into the next ones.
- Sai Sudharsan 87 (45)
- Jos Buttler 32 (28)
Gurjapneet Singh to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Gujarat Titans are just one hit away from victory! Bumper from Singh, on middle, shaping in. Sai Sudharsan swivels on his back foot and pulls it away, using the pace of the bowler to sail it over the deep fine leg fence for half a dozen.
Gurjapneet Singh to Jos Buttler, Slower now, around the middle and leg stump. Jos Buttler flicks it to deep mid-wicket and gets a single.
Gurjapneet Singh to Sai Sudharsan, Fullish again, on middle and leg, Sai Sudharsan rolls his wrists and flicks it to the right of square leg for another single.
Gurjapneet Singh to Jos Buttler, Singh drags his length back and shapes it in, around off. Jos Buttler stays on his back foot and dabs it to cover to get a single.
Gurjapneet Singh to Sai Sudharsan, On a good length, angling in, around leg, Sai Sudharsan tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Gurjapneet Singh is back on.
Gurjapneet Singh to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Up, up and over! This is sensational from Sudharsan. Slower one, overpitched, on middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan makes room and bends his back to slam it over the head of the bowler for six more runs.
- Sai Sudharsan 73 (41)
- Jos Buttler 30 (26)
Noor Ahmad to Sai Sudharsan, Another single to end the over. Dropped short, aimed at the batter. Sudharsan goes hard at the pull and hits it flat and on the bounce to the right of Anshul Kamboj at deep backward square leg.
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Tap and run. Slightly short and outside off, Buttler presses back and eases it through the vacant gully region for a single.
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Short and outside off, Jos Buttler cuts it away to point.
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Ahmad drags his length back and offers a googly, on middle. Jos Buttler looks to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge and wears on his pad. Appeal from Noor Ahmad but the umpire shakes his head. It seems the height is an issue here.
Noor Ahmad to Sai Sudharsan, Fuller, on off, Sai Sudharsan pushes it to long on and gets a single.
Noor Ahmad to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! That has been smoked away! Noor Ahmad offers a bit of flight and pitches it much fuller, just outside off. Sai Sudharsan takes a big stride to his front and lofts it down the ground, to the left of long off, and for a biggie.
- Jos Buttler 29 (23)
- Sai Sudharsan 65 (38)
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, FOUR MORE! Shorter in length again, outside off. Buttler hops up a bit and angled the cut shot to the left of the backward point fielder, picking up four more runs.
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Finds the gap with ease, does Jos Buttler. Dug in well short and on leg stump, Buttler swivels a bit to get inside the line and pulls it flat and hard to the left of the fine leg fielder for a boundary.
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, Back of a length and outside off, Buttler gets on his toes and taps it down to backward point.
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Attempted bumper, just down the leg side and left alone by Buttler.
Jamie Overton to Sai Sudharsan, Did that carry? Sanju Samson does look a bit disappointed. Replays show that it did carry quite comfortably and Sanju should be taking that all day. Back of a length, angled across off, Sai Sudharsan lets the ball come on and glides it away but gets an outside edge. Samson puts in a lazy dive across to his left and goes with one hand. The ball hits the left wrist and deflects past his helmet as the batters get a single.
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, Back of a length, slightly straighter, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for a run.
Jamie Overton to Jos Buttler, That's stayed low and there's a bit of an appeal for a caught behind from the keeper as well. Overton bashes the good length and bowls it around off, Buttler stays back and has a swipe across the line but gets beaten on the inside edge.
- Sai Sudharsan 64 (37)
- Jos Buttler 20 (18)
Akeal Hosein to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Pumped over the fence. Another drag down from Hosein, around off. Sai Sudharsan rocks onto the back foot, leans to the off side and clobbers it flat and to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a biggie. 16 off the over, GT now need 41 off 42 balls.
Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, Fuller now, straighter too, clipped away through the mid-wicket region for a single.
Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, The call is for two and they get it with ease. Quick and short outside off, Jos Buttler rocks back and glides the cut to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.
Akeal Hosein to Jos Buttler, Good length around off, sits up a bit, but Buttler jars at it and hits it straight to extra cover.
Akeal Hosein to Sai Sudharsan, Short again, this time outside off, Sudharsan hops back and cuts it wide of point for a single.
Akeal Hosein to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Down the wrong line and put away with disdain. Dug in short and down leg, Sai Sudharsan gets on one knee and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a six and then falls over as well. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.
- Sai Sudharsan 51 (34)
- Jos Buttler 17 (15)
Noor Ahmad to Sai Sudharsan, Goes short and outside off, Sai Sudharsan cuts it away to deep point for one more. GT need 57 runs in 48 balls now!
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Fires this one full and on middle, Jos Buttler tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Sloppy fielding! Dragged back and around off, Jos Buttler punches it towards cover-point for a quick run. The fielder lets it through and the batters get another one as well. 100 UP FOR GT!
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, Swing and a miss! A wrong'un, full and around off, turns away, Jos Buttler has a big swing through the line but fails to connect.
Noor Ahmad to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Classy shot! Flatter, full and on middle, Jos Buttler brings his wrists into play and times his flick beautifully, bisecting deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.
Noor Ahmad to Sai Sudharsan, FIFTY FOR SUDHARSAN! He follows up his hundred in the last game with a fine knock but will want to make sure this counts in a winning cause now. This is short and on middle, Sai Sudharsan clips it towards square leg for a single.
- Sai Sudharsan 49 (32)
- Jos Buttler 10 (11)
Akeal Hosein to Sai Sudharsan, Short again and around off, Sai Sudharsan steers it away but fails to beat short third. One taken.
