CSK vs SRH Highlights, IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan's 70 secures five-wicket win over CSK as SRH seal playoff berth

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said he was "still proud of the boys" despite CSK suffering a five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Monday.

The defeat saw SRH chase down 181 in 19 overs through Ishan Kishan’s 70 off 47 balls and Heinrich Klaasen’s 47. The result also confirmed SRH’s qualification for the IPL 2026 playoffs along with Gujarat Titans.

Speaking after the match, Gaikwad said CSK remained in the contest till the closing stages.

The cricket itself had already slipped away from Chennai Super Kings. Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 181 at Chepauk, sealed a five-wicket win, booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs and pushed CSK to the edge of elimination. But long after the result was decided, the crowd inside the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium stayed fixed on something bigger than the scoreboard.

They stayed for MS Dhoni.

For the first time in years, a final CSK home night carried the uncomfortable possibility that Chennai supporters may have just witnessed their last live glimpse of Dhoni in yellow. There was no official announcement, no farewell speech and no emotional presentation. Yet the atmosphere around Chepauk felt unusually heavy, as if the stadium itself understood that time around Dhoni is no longer endless.

CSK vs SRH, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad became the latest team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs

Sunrisers Hyderabad became the latest team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in a high-pressure clash at Chepauk. Hyderabad chased down the target of 181 in 19 overs, powered by superb performances from Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen and Pat Cummins.

Kishan played the anchor role perfectly with a composed 70 off 47 balls. He handled the difficult conditions smartly and accelerated at the right time. Klaasen supported him brilliantly with an attacking 47 that helped SRH take control of the chase after a slow start.

The victory also highlighted Hyderabad’s balance as a team this season. Their bowling unit once again delivered under pressure, with captain Pat Cummins leading from the front. His spell of 3/28 ensured Chennai never gained full momentum despite promising knocks from Dewald Brevis and Kartik Sharma.

For Chennai Super Kings, the defeat has made the playoff equation extremely difficult. Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled for rhythm, while the middle-order lacked enough firepower in the death overs. Although CSK are not officially eliminated yet, their chances now depend heavily on other results.

Meanwhile, SRH have continued their remarkable turnaround this season and now head into the playoffs with confidence and momentum on their side.

CSK vs SRH, IPL 2026: Chepauk witnessed another emotional night

Chepauk witnessed another emotional night, but it was Sunrisers Hyderabad who walked away smiling after securing a playoff berth with a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings. SRH continued their impressive IPL 2026 campaign with a composed chase of 181 in Chennai.

The foundation of the victory was laid by Ishan Kishan, who delivered a classy 70 under pressure. The left-hander paced his innings brilliantly after SRH lost an early wicket and struggled to score freely during the powerplay. Heinrich Klaasen then changed the tempo with his aggressive strokeplay, smashing 47 off only 26 balls.

Together, Kishan and Klaasen added 75 runs and shifted the momentum completely in Hyderabad’s favour. Their partnership neutralised Chennai’s spin attack and ensured the required run rate never became a problem.

Earlier, CSK had shown promise after an explosive start from Sanju Samson. Dewald Brevis also impressed with a fluent 44, while Kartik Sharma continued his good form with 32. However, Hyderabad’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins, prevented Chennai from posting a bigger total.

SRH now sit comfortably in the top three with 16 points, while CSK remain stuck on 12 points from 13 matches. The pressure is now firmly on Chennai heading into their final league encounter.

CSK vs SRH, IPL 2026: Pat Cummins delivered another captain’s performance

Pat Cummins delivered another captain’s performance as Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed a playoff spot with a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. The Australian fast bowler led from the front with figures of 3/28 before SRH chased down 181 with an over to spare at Chepauk.

Cummins struck at key moments to stop Chennai from building a massive total. After Sanju Samson gave CSK a flying start with attacking shots in the opening overs, Cummins broke the momentum by dismissing him with a sharp delivery. He later removed Kartik Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad to put Chennai under pressure.

Despite useful contributions from Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, CSK could only manage 180/7. Hyderabad’s bowlers consistently picked up wickets and never allowed the home side to dominate completely.

In reply, Ishan Kishan played a superb innings under pressure. His 70 off 47 balls combined timing and aggression perfectly on a difficult batting surface. Heinrich Klaasen’s 47 further tilted the game in SRH’s favour as the pair controlled the chase during the middle overs.

The win confirmed SRH’s entry into the IPL 2026 playoffs alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, while Chennai’s qualification hopes now hang by a thread.

CSK vs SRH, IPL 2026: SRH chased down 181 comfortably

A brilliant all-round performance helped Sunrisers Hyderabad storm into the IPL 2026 playoffs after defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in Chennai. SRH chased down 181 comfortably despite the slow Chepauk pitch, thanks to a match-winning stand between Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen.

The chase did not begin smoothly for Hyderabad as Travis Head departed early and Abhishek Sharma struggled for timing. However, Kishan remained composed throughout the innings and slowly shifted gears. Once Klaasen joined him at the crease, the momentum completely changed.

The duo added 75 runs for the third wicket and took the game away from CSK with fearless strokeplay against both pace and spin. Kishan’s knock of 70 proved decisive, while Klaasen’s quickfire 47 gave Hyderabad complete control during the middle overs.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings posted 180/7 after contributions from Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma. But SRH skipper Pat Cummins once again proved why he has been one of the team’s biggest assets this season. His spell of 3/28 included the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

With the victory, Hyderabad moved to 16 points and confirmed their playoff qualification in style.

CSK vs SRH, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad officially booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs

Sunrisers Hyderabad officially booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs after a commanding five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Monday night. Chasing 181 on a tricky surface, SRH showed calmness and maturity in the run chase, reaching the target in 19 overs to become the third team to qualify for the knockouts after Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.

The star of the night was Ishan Kishan, who produced one of his finest knocks of the season. The left-hander smashed 70 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes while anchoring the chase beautifully after an early wicket. Heinrich Klaasen played the perfect supporting role with an aggressive 47 off just 26 deliveries.

Earlier, Pat Cummins once again delivered with the ball for Hyderabad. The SRH skipper picked up 3/28 and removed key CSK batters at important moments to stop the hosts from crossing the 200-run mark. Dewald Brevis top-scored for Chennai with 44, while Kartik Sharma added 32.

The result keeps SRH’s strong season alive while Chennai Super Kings now face a tough road ahead in the playoff race with only one league game remaining.

Over and out - That is it from this game, with Sunrisers Hyderabad booking their place in the playoffs and putting a huge dent in Chennai Super Kings' hopes. The action now shifts to Jaipur, where the Rajasthan Royals take on the Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial clash, with the Royals needing a win to keep qualification in their own hands. The match will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Ishan Kishan wins the award for his match-winning knock of 70 runs off 47 balls. Kishan says he felt the wicket was not an easy one to bat on and admits that chasing 181 looked a bit too much initially. He adds that, batting at number three, his role was to stay till the end and guide the chase through. Kishan says the key in such situations is to keep believing in yourself and not allow any self-doubt to creep in. He mentions that he tried to keep things simple and focused on batting for as long as possible. On his partnership with Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan says there was not much conversation in the middle and that both batters were simply backing their instincts and playing their shots. He also shares an emotional moment, revealing that his cousin was at the ground watching the game after recently losing his sister. Kishan says he wanted to finish the match for him and is grateful that he was able to do so. He signs off by saying he felt blessed from upstairs.

The victorious skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad - Pat Cummins says that it feels really satisfying. Adds that it was a tough period in the middle overs and the team needed a couple of strong partnerships to build momentum. Mentions that the new batters would have found conditions tricky, but Ishan and Klaasen picked the right bowlers to attack and played some outstanding shots. Cummins shares that the pitch was gripping and some deliveries were staying low, so the message was not to go too hard too early. He credits Ishan and Klaasen for adapting brilliantly to the conditions. He feels the partnerships made the difference and says 180 was around par on that wicket, perhaps even slightly above it.

Presentation Time...

CSK fight hard but fall short - Chennai Super Kings gave it everything on the field and with the ball. Mukesh Chaudhary set the tone early with a wicket, and although CSK managed to keep the scoring rate in check for large parts, they failed to create many clear-cut chances after Akeal Hosein removed Abhishek Sharma. One key moment came when Spencer Johnson put down Heinrich Klaasen, a chance that could have proved decisive. The hosts threw themselves around in the field with a few heroic saves, but also conceded some sloppy runs that undid a lot of their hard work. Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj chipped in with a wicket each, while Mukesh finished with a two-fer, but a few too many slot balls at the death ultimately took the game away from them.

Time to hear from the new Orange Cap holder - Heinrich Klaasen says it was a difficult chase on a surface that was not the easiest to bat on, but adds that he is extremely pleased with the way the team performed. Klaasen reveals that after blocking his first couple of deliveries, he told himself that he could not bat that way and needed to be more proactive. He says he is pleased with the way he has been striking the ball lately and hopes to continue in the same manner. Heinrich credits the team environment, saying that whenever one batter gets going, the other is willing to put his ego aside and play around him. On the pitch, Klaasen mentions that it stayed low at times, with the cutters and slower balls gripping and making strokeplay slightly tricky. Looking ahead, he calls the next clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru a massive game and says he hopes the Orange Army turns up in big numbers to support the side at home.

Bat and ball in constant contest - Earlier in the game, it was a proper battle between bat and ball, but Chennai Super Kings still managed to post a competitive total on the board. Dewald Brevis led the way with a brisk 44 off 27 balls, while Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube provided handy cameos around him after Sanju Samson had given them a quick start at the top. Sunrisers Hyderabad bowled well in patches but were a bit sloppy in the field at crucial moments. Pat Cummins was the standout performer with figures of 3/28, while Sakib Hussain picked up a couple and Praful Hinge chipped in with one. Nitish Kumar Reddy, though, endured a tough outing and was taken to the cleaners.

Kishan guides SRH home - Sunrisers Hyderabad struggled a bit for momentum in the Powerplay and losing Travis Head early did not help, but Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma steadied things nicely, absorbing the pressure while finding the occasional boundary. After Sharma's dismissal, the 75-run stand between Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen put SRH firmly on top as the duo kept the scoreboard moving smartly. Klaasen fell short of a fifty, making the finish slightly tense, but Kishan's superb 70 off 47 ensured SRH stayed in control before youngsters Salil Arora and Ravichandran Smaran sealed the win.

The captain of the Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says it was a good game of cricket and feels CSK stayed in the contest until the penultimate over. He describes it as a very good T20 pitch and mentions that the surface did not change much through the course of the game. According to him, 180 was around a par total, but CSK still left a few runs out there with the bat. Gaikwad opines that given the limitations with the squad and the combinations available, the team did the best they could, and there were still plenty of positives to take away from the season. He also highlights the additions of Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma as major positives for the side. Ruturaj admits that CSK missed a few key players this season, but thanks the fans for supporting the team through thick and thin. He signs off by saying that they will return as a much stronger unit next year.

SRH seal playoff berth in style - It is a heartbreak for the Chennai Super Kings and their loyal home fans. They still have a chance of making it through, but a lot of results will now have to go their way. Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, needed a win to seal a spot in the playoffs, and they have done exactly that, though they had to grind it out in a tense chase. Ishan Kishan was the difference-maker with a match-winning knock, showing immense calm under pressure when it mattered the most. This result also confirms the Gujarat Titans' place in the top four, leaving just one playoff spot up for grabs for the remaining sides.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 181/5 (18.6 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ravichandran Smaran, FOUR! Ravichandran Smaran hits the winning runs. Hyderabad win by 5 wkts with an over to spare. With this result, the Sunrisers are through to the playoffs, and in the process, they also take the Gujarat Titans with them. Kamboj attempts the wide yorker, but it comes out as a low full toss, wide on off. Smaran extends his hands and opens the bat face to carve it over backward point for a boundary.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 177/5 (18.5 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Salil Arora, Right in the blockhole, on off and middle with a bit of tail back into the batter. Arora can't do much about it and digs it out to long on for a single.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 176/5 (18.4 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ravichandran Smaran, Banged in short, over middle. Smaran swivels and pulls it behind square leg for a run. 5 more needed for SRH.

The next batter in is Ravichandran Smaran.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 175/5 (18.3 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, OUT! CAUGHT! End of a fine knock from Ishan Kishan, but he would have loved to be there till the end. Kamboj switches to over the wicket and pushes it across the left-hander. On a length, near the tramline. Kishan reaches out and swings at it. One hand comes off the bat handle and the shot does not have the power to clear the fence. Urvil Patel takes the simplest of catches at long off.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 175/4 (18.2 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Salil Arora, Gets the yorker in, on middle. Arora drills it to long off and takes a single.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 174/4 (18.1 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Salil Arora, SIX! Salil Arora goes big! That should do it for SRH. Seam-up ball from around the wicket at pace, on a length, on middle and leg. Arora clears the front leg and whacks it over square leg, parking it into the stands. 7 more needed for SRH.

The last couple of balls have swung the momentum back in favour of SRH. The crowd has gone silent here.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 168/4 (17.6 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Ishan Kishan, SIX! What a shot. That sounded so sweet. An excellent finish to the over for SRH. Mukesh Choudhary switches to over the wicket and bowls it on a short of a length, angled in on middle. Kishan gets the front leg out of the way and swings across the line. Clobbers it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 15 runs off the over. SRH need 13 runs in 12 balls.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 162/4 (17.5 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Watch out, Salil! Across off, on the fuller side. Kishan extends his hands and picks the bones out of it. Thumps it back towards the non-striker and Arora ducks out of the way quickly. It races down to the left of long off for a boundary.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 158/4 (17.4 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Salil Arora, Just short! Off-pace delivery at 119.5 kph, into the wicket, outside off. Arora waits back to force it through the off side. He mistimes it to extra cover, where Shivam Dube standing on the edge of the ring, gets his hands out in front but the ball gets to him on the bounce.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 157/4 (17.3 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Ishan Kishan, From around the wicket to the left-hander, near the tramline, bowled on a length. Ishan is made to reach out and he smacks it to deep cover. Just a single. 24 needed off 15.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 156/4 (17.2 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Salil Arora, Closer to the off stump, on a back o a length. Arora hangs leg side of the ball and dabs it wide of cocer for a single.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 155/4 (17.2 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Salil Arora, Wide! Another ball that is well past the wide guideline. Salil lets it pass.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 154/4 (17.2 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Salil Arora, Wide! Sprayed well beyond the tramline on off. Arora lets it go.

CSK are still breathing in this game. Salil Arora walks out to bat now.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 153/4 (17.1 overs)

Mukesh Choudhary to Nitish Kumar Reddy, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Nitish Kumar Reddy holes out. He will be gutted as this was right in the slot. Full and slanting across from over the wicket. Reddy hangs deep in the crease and swings through the line. The ball seams away a touch off the surface to catch the toe end of the blade. It goes only as far as long off, where Urvil Patel moves to his right and takes a safe catch. SRH are 154/4, needing 28 runs off 17 balls.

Will Akeal Hosein bowl out? No, maybe they are just saving him for the last over. It will be Mukesh Choudhary to bowl now.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 153/3 (16.6 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, Pushed well wide on off, a low full toss. Kishan shuffles and throws his hands at the ball. Slices it off the outer half but can't beat short third. 10 runs off the over. 28 needed off 18.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 153/3 (16.5 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Up and over! Anshul Kamboj goes searching for the yorker, on off and middle. Ishan is standing deep in the crease and takes it on the full. He pumps it over wide mid on and picks up a boundary.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 149/3 (16.4 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Untidy from CSK. Low full toss, going away from around the wicket. Reddy slices it off the outer half over extra cover. Dewald Brevis gets around in the deep and mops it up. He fires in a throw at the bowling end, where Kamboj gets low to collect the ball but lets it through and that allows the batters to take the third run.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 146/3 (16.3 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, Kamboj nails the yorker, across off. Kishan can't get under it and drills it to mid on before setting off for the run. Ruturaj Gaikwad swoops in and was better off having a shy at the bowling end. He throws it to the batting end, where Reddy is home comfortably.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 145/3 (16.2 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Very full, on off. NKR digs it out to long on for a single.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 144/3 (16.1 overs)

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, Incredible work! Not the first time this season that Noor Ahmad has pulled off such an effort. Full and on leg, Kishan plays the pick-up shot off the pads. It goes high in the air towards deep square leg, where Noor leaps and takes the catch. He gets rid of the ball before falling beyond the ropes. Saves five runs for his side. How big will this effort prove to be?

Strategic Break! This game is on a knife-edge. The CSK spinners have pulled things back a bit with a couple of quiet overs. However, the pacers will have to carry on the good job and keep the pressure on. SRH need 38 off 24 balls, and in modern T20, with 7 wickets in hand, you would rather be in the chasing side, but if Chennai can get the wicket of Ishan Kishan and bring in another new batter, it will make things a lot more interesting here. A lot is riding on this game, not just for these two but for a few other sides as well, who will be watching this contest closely.  Also, Anshul Kamboj to bowl after the break.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 143/3 (15.6 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Ishan Kishan, Does not carry! Flatter and shorter, outside off. Kishan thumps it flat down the ground. Prashant Veer runs in off the long on fence but the ball drops short of him. Just a single. Tidy stuff from Hosein. Just 6 runs off the over.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 142/3 (15.5 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Ishan Kishan, Fine effort! Sliding across off, on a good length. Kishan walks across and reaches out with his hands. He slams it hard to the right of long off. Urvil Patel sprints and dives to his right in the deep. The ball goes under Urvil's body and threatens to trickle into the fence but Patel stretches his right hand out and prevents the boundary. Two runs taken.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 140/3 (15.4 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Full and on leg, Reddy clips it through square leg. He is keen for the second run but Ishan sends him back.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 139/3 (15.4 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wide! Hosein tries to follow Reddy with a full ball. Sprays it down leg and Sanju Samson does well to get around to his left and gather the ball.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 138/3 (15.3 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Ishan Kishan, FIFTY FOR KISHAN! It has been hard work tonight for Ishan and he holds the key here for SRH. Short and across the off stump. Kishan walks across and drags the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for a single.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 137/3 (15.2 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Ishan Kishan, Cat and mouse between Akeal and Ishan. Hosein spots Kishan shuffle and he fires it wider on off. Ishan slaps it straight to extra cover.

CSK vs SRH Live Score, IPL 2026: 137/3 (15.1 overs)

Akeal Hosein to Ishan Kishan, A swing and a miss! A bit of air given, across off, on a length. Kishan reaches out and swings to go through the off side but the ball goes under the blade.

It will be spin from both ends now as Akeal Hosein comes on.