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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.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Fuller and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad heaves it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Arshad Khan will also bowl out here.
- Jamie Overton 0 (1)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 59 (53)
Kagiso Rabada to Jamie Overton, Slower, outside off, short of a length. Jamie Overton misses his pull as the ball stays low due to a lack of pace. Rabada finishes with fine figures of 4-0-25-3.
Jamie Overton walks out to bat at number 8 for CSK.
Kagiso Rabada to Kartik Sharma, OUT! TAKEN! Kagiso Rabada has the last laugh and gets his third of the game. He bangs this into the pitch, outside off, keeping it away from the batter. Kartik Sharma tries to reach out for it and swat it away but fails to get on top of the bounce. It flies off the top edge towards third man, where Jason Holder moves to his right, settles under it and takes a fine catch. CSK are 122/6 now.
Kagiso Rabada to Kartik Sharma, Dot ball! Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off. Kartik Sharma goes through the pull shot early and toe-ends it back to the bowler.
Kagiso Rabada to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! Nicely executed by Sharma! This will hurt Rabada even more. On a good length, on off. Kartik Sharma shuffles across the stumps and ramps it over the short fine leg region for four runs.
Kagiso Rabada to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! What happened there? The fielding has not been up to the mark from GT. This is a slower bouncer, on middle. Kartik Sharma connects his heave but fails to time it well. The ball loops toward the deep square leg region. Rashid Khan and Manav Suthar converge toward the skier, one from the deep mid-wicket and one from deep backward square leg. Both fielders get close to the ball, but due to a lack of communication, no one attempts the catch. The ball drops safely and bounces over the fence for four runs.
Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, On a length, angling down the leg side. Ruturaj Gaikwad makes room and swings it to long on for a single.
An over each left for Arshad Khan and Kagiso Rabada. Shubman Gill will have to use one of his spinners at the death for at least 1 over. For now, Rabada is back on to finish his spell as well.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 58 (52)
- Kartik Sharma 7 (5)
Mohammed Siraj to Ruturaj Gaikwad, In the air... just short of the fielder! Another slower bouncer, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad connects the ramp. The ball flies flat toward the deep third fielder. Shahrukh Khan is the man, and he runs forward to take the catch, but the ball drops much short of him. Single taken.
Mohammed Siraj to Kartik Sharma, Slower and shorter, outside off, Kartik Sharma upper cuts it to deep third for a single.
Mohammed Siraj to Kartik Sharma, Attempt for a predetermined shot, but Sharma fails to execute it. Much fuller, just behind the yorker length, on the fifth stump. Kartik Sharma shuffles across the stumps and looks to ramp it over short fine. He connects from the inner half of his blade, but the ball hits his left leg.
Mohammed Siraj to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Full and outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad swings across once again and gets it off the inner half of the bat, toward deep mid-wicket. Single taken.
Mohammed Siraj to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! KABOOM! This is a good length delivery, on off, not much movement on the ball. Ruturaj Gaikwad heaves it across and finds the middle of the bat. The ball sails over the deep square leg fence for a huge six.
Mohammed Siraj (3-0-12-1) is back on to finish his spell.
Mohammed Siraj to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FIFTY FOR RUTURAJ GAIKWAD! Not the most fluent of knocks from the CSK skipper, but he is fighting for his team. Fuller delivery, on middle, Gaikwad drills it wide of long on and comes back for the second run. First half-century of the season for him and this should give him confidence going ahead.
- Kartik Sharma 6 (3)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 48 (48)
Arshad Khan to Kartik Sharma, Bangs this into the pitch, around leg, Kartik Sharma hooks it wide of deep fine leg for a brace.
Arshad Khan to Kartik Sharma, Hard length and on off, Kartik Sharma keeps it out to the off side.
Arshad Khan to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! Lovely shot! Short of a length and just outside off, Kartik Sharma frees his arms and uses the pace to cut it through point for a boundary. 100 UP FOR CSK.
The next batter is Kartik Sharma.
Arshad Khan to Shivam Dube, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Arshad Khan eventually gets his man. He lands this on a good length and on middle and off, nips back in a bit and skids through as well. Shivam Dube clears his front leg and has a heave across the line but misses it completely. The ball goes through and hits the top of off, flattening the stump. Arshad gives Dube a send-off, and Siraj will be a relieved man.
Oh, the disease has caught on. We saw plenty of costly dropped catches on Saturday and we have seen a couple in quick succession in this game as well.
Arshad Khan to Shivam Dube, Hard length and on middle and leg, Shivam Dube misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.
Arshad Khan to Shivam Dube, DROPPED AGAIN! Shivam Dube gets lucky for the third time in this game. Short of a length and around off, Dube looks to flat-bat it over mid off but gets hurried on the shot. It spoons towards mid off, where Mohammed Siraj initially thinks the ball is coming to him, but in the end has to put in a dive forward and spills it out. Hands on head for Arshad.
Five overs left, and was that the momentum-shifting over CSK were after? 21 off it, and they will now be targeting somewhere around 160 from here. Arshad Khan switches ends now.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 48 (48)
- Shivam Dube 22 (14)
Rashid Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! A massive over for CSK, just what they needed here! Flatter, full and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets down across and swipes it away nicely through square leg for a boundary. 21 runs off Rashid's first over.
Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, Oh dear, Jos Buttler gives away an unnecessary run! Flatter, short and around off, Shivam Dube looks to nudge it away to the leg side but gets a bottom edge to the right of the keeper. Buttler collects it but has a wild throw at the bowler's end, allowing a single as an overthrow.
Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, SIX! BANG! That's a clean hit. Tossed up, full and around middle, Shivam Dube stands tall and hits it through the line, launching it over the bowler's head for a biggie.
Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, DROPPED AND FOUR! A good effort though! Flighted, full and around leg, turns away as this is a googly. Shivam Dube clears his front leg to slog it away but does not get the timing right. It flies wide of deep mid-wicket, where Sai Sudharsan runs to his left and dives to grab it with both hands but fails to hold on to it and the ball bounces over the ropes for a boundary.
Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for CSK! Pushed through quicker, full but down the leg side, turns further down leg. Shivam Dube leaves it alone. Jos Buttler moves to his right, gets some glove on it, but the ball still races behind to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
Rashid Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Floated, full and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for a single.
Rashid Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Flatter, full and just outside off, skids through, Ruturaj Gaikwad throws his bat at it but misses.
Will we finally see Rashid Khan have a bowl? Yes, we will. Rashid comes in to replace Arshad Khan in the attack.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 43 (45)
- Shivam Dube 11 (11)
Jason Holder to Ruturaj Gaikwad, On a length, around the thigh pad of the batter. Ruturaj Gaikwad works it to the cow corner and gets an easy single.
Jason Holder to Shivam Dube, Holder hits the deck hard, on a good length, just outside off. Shivam Dube pulls it down to deep mid-wicket and gets across for one run.
Jason Holder to Shivam Dube, Slower now, on a hard length, just outside off, shaping it away from the left-hander. Shivam Dube dabs it to cover.
Jason Holder to Shivam Dube, On a length, around off, Dube pushes it to cover.
Jason Holder to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Back of a length, on the fifth stump. Ruturaj Gaikwad punches it to mid off and gets a single.
Jason Holder to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! Excellent shot! Short of a length from Holder, on middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad transfers his weight to his back foot, swivels, and pulls it over the deep fine leg fence for half a dozen. According to Simon Doull on air, Gaikwad has just become the fourth batter for CSK to hit 100 sixes in the IPL.
STRATEGIC BREAK! Chennai Super Kings have just started to build up some momentum but there's still a long way to go. Gujarat Titans are in firm control of the first innings and will know that one more wicket, not too late after the break, and they will have an even better grip on this innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad needs to make it count now. He's held up one end and is starting to fire but his side will need a lot more from him and Shivam Dube if they are to post any sort of a defendable total.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 35 (42)
- Shivam Dube 10 (8)
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Misfield from the skipper of GT! Much fuller, just outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad leans on the delivery and drives it gently toward the right of mid off. Shubman Gill moves to his right but lets it through and the batter gets the window to take three runs.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, On a good length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad lunges and pushes it to cover.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! Gaikwad is changing the gears. Hard-length delivery, on middle and off. Ruturaj Gaikwad opens his stance a bit and pulls it flat and over square leg for another six.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, On a length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pats it to short cover.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! That's what you call mentality! Arshad Khan delivers it right into the slot, on middle and leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad loads his arms and unleashes it across the line, to swat it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
The physio is in to check Ruturaj Gaikwad. He got hit hard on his right bicep. The CSK skipper is also taking in some fluids to beat the heat and is ready to go again.
Arshad Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ouch, that surely hurt Gaikwad! Back of a length, on leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad skips down the track to slog it away, but misses the length completely. The ball hits the biceps of his right hand and Gaikwad is looking in pain.
- Shivam Dube 10 (8)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad 20 (36)
Jason Holder to Shivam Dube, FOUR! A second boundary for Dube, much-needed for CSK as the 50 comes up in the 12th over. Holder goes for the bumper and aims it right at the batter. Dube does well to swivel onto the back leg and manages to pull it wide of short fine leg for a boundary.
Jason Holder to Shivam Dube, Good length on middle, slants across the left-hander. Shivam Dube looks to hit on the up but gets it off the inside half of the bat and back to the bowler.
