csk

The rise of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL has created a new rivalry with Chennai Super Kings, shifting the dynamic from csk's long-standing dominance. Online trolling and on-field incidents have intensified the bitterness between fans, fueled by historical and regional contexts, as RCB closes in on a second consecutive title.

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings missed the IPL playoffs for the third consecutive season after a disappointing 2026 campaign. Injuries, an underperforming overseas contingent, and a lack of consistent rhythm plagued the team this year. Despite individual bright spots, csk face a significant tactical reset to regain their championship form.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans. Star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Krunal Pandya celebrated the historic win with dhols. Kohli's unbeaten 75 guided RCB to a clinical chase. This victory makes RCB the third franchise to defend their IPL crown. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second consecutive IPL title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final. Virat Kohli, aged 37, starred with an unbeaten 75, earning Player of the Match and becoming the second-oldest recipient. This victory also saw Kohli surpass Rohit Sharma for the most Player of the Match awards by an Indian player.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's streak of playing in every IPL season for Chennai Super Kings ended in IPL 2026 due to a thumb injury. He missed the final league match against Gujarat Titans, marking his first absence from a game for the franchise he captained to five titles. His return hinges on csk's playoff qualification.

As IPL 2026 playoffs loom, Suresh Raina leads all-time playoff run charts with 714 runs. MS Dhoni and Shubman Gill follow closely. Dwayne Bravo tops wicket-takers with 28 scalps. Shubman Gill also holds the record for the highest individual playoff score. These records highlight playoff legends ahead of crucial matches.

Rajat Patidar's explosive 93 off 33 balls, featuring 9 sixes, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record 254/5 and a dominant 92-run victory over Gujarat Titans. This commanding performance secured RCB's spot in their second consecutive IPL final, showcasing a fearless, attacking mindset.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been fined INR 24 lakh for a slow over-rate, marking their second offense this IPL 2026 season. The penalty came as Gujarat Titans crushed csk by 89 runs, eliminating them from playoff contention. GT's strong batting, led by Gill and Sudharsan, set a massive target, while csk's chase faltered significantly.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru achieved a record-breaking score of 254/5 against Gujarat Titans in IPL Qualifier 1. This marks the highest total ever in IPL playoff history. Rajat Patidar led the charge with an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls. Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya also contributed significantly to the massive total.

Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in the IPL 2026 final, smashing the fastest half-century of his career in just 25 balls. Despite a mid-innings collapse, Kohli's composed innings guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans. His remarkable performance placed him among the fastest fifties in IPL final history.

Sai Sudharsan achieved a remarkable feat in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, joining Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle by scoring 700+ runs for the second consecutive season. He also equaled David Warner's nine 50-plus scores in a single IPL edition. Sudharsan and Shubman Gill's monumental opening stand set new IPL playoff partnership records.

Anshul Kamboj etched an unwanted IPL record, conceding the most sixes in a single edition with 34, surpassing Rashid Khan's previous mark. Despite a strong start, Kamboj's form dipped, contributing to csk's struggles. The Chennai Super Kings suffered an 89-run defeat against Gujarat Titans, confirming their playoff exit for the third consecutive season.

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan shared his deep emotional ties to Chennai Super Kings ahead of their IPL 2026 clash. He fondly recalled idolizing csk during his childhood, making his maiden IPL century against them in 2024 particularly special. Sudharsan, a consistent performer, continues his impressive run this season.

Kumar Sangakkara questioned Sam Curran's absence from Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2026 playoff campaign, revealing the franchise had been informed of a season-ending injury. The RR director expressed disappointment after seeing Curran feature for Surrey and backed stricter enforcement of player contractual commitments.

Chennai Super Kings were eliminated from IPL 2026 after suffering their biggest-ever defeat, a crushing 89-run loss to Gujarat Titans. Gujarat Titan's dominant batting and Mohammed Siraj's fiery bowling consolidated their second spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs, while csk's campaign ended in record disappointment.

Gujarat Titans host Chennai Super Kings in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter where playoff berths are on the line. GT aims to secure a top-two finish, while csk desperately needs a win to stay alive in the race for the final playoff spot. The batting-friendly pitch at Ahmedabad and hot weather are expected to contribute to an exciting contest.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth slammed Chennai Super Kings management for misleading fans about MS Dhoni's fitness throughout IPL 2026. He accused the franchise of creating false hope with repeated suggestions of Dhoni's imminent return, despite him missing the entire season due to injury. Srikkanth urged for transparency, stating fans were prepared for the Dhoni era's end.

Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans secured a commanding victory over Chennai Super Kings, eliminating them from IPL 2026 playoffs. Following their second dominant win, Gill posted a witty social media caption, continuing a trend of viral post-match messages. GT's strong batting and bowling performance ensured their top-two finish, while csk's campaign concluded.

MS Dhoni's IPL future rests solely with him, according to csk bowling coach Eric Simons. Despite a leg injury sidelining him from IPL 2026, Dhoni is reportedly striking the ball brilliantly in nets. Simons emphasised that Dhoni will only return if he feels he can contribute fully, prioritising the team's best interests over personal milestones.

Chennai Super Kings ended their IPL 2026 campaign with an 89-run loss to Gujarat Titans, their heaviest defeat and playoff elimination. csk finished with six wins in 14 matches. Sanju Samson led the batting with 477 runs, while Anshul Kamboj took 21 wickets. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and bowling coach Eric Simons stressed the team’s rebuilding phase, youth development, and need for squad reassessment.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name in history by winning their second consecutive IPL title in 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans. Virat Kohli's stellar performance earned him Player of the Match in the final, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dominated with multiple individual awards, marking an explosive and record-laden season.

Shubman Gill's spectacular diving catch to dismiss Shivam Dube was a pivotal moment in Gujarat Titans' victory over Chennai Super Kings. This win officially eliminated csk from the IPL 2026 playoffs and secured a top-two finish for GT. Gill's effort, coupled with strong batting performances, sealed a dominant season double over Chennai.

Chennai Super Kings return to Ahmedabad, a venue of past triumphs, facing Gujarat Titans in a crucial final league match. With playoffs on the line, csk eyes a strong performance from Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad to secure a vital win and improve their net run rate. GT, already qualified, aims for a top-two finish.

IPL auctions are often won on perception in December, but the real story usually emerges months later. While franchises splashed massive sums on Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Liam Livingstone, the smartest buys of IPL 2026 quietly came from the Rs 7-9 crore bracket. Jason Holder topped the charts by a distance, Josh Inglis maximised limited opportunities, and Ravi Bishnoi delivered steady returns. Meanwhile, several marquee signings struggled with injuries, poor form and role mismatches, turning auction-night hype into underwhelming seasons.

IPL auctions are often won on perception in December, but the real story usually emerges months later. While franchises splashed massive sums on Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Liam Livingstone, the smartest buys of IPL 2026 quietly came from the Rs 7-9 crore bracket. Jason Holder topped the charts by a distance, Josh Inglis maximised limited opportunities, and Ravi Bishnoi delivered steady returns. Meanwhile, several marquee signings struggled with injuries, poor form and role mismatches, turning auction-night hype into underwhelming seasons.

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Chennai Super Kings must invest in quality cricketers and a balanced squad for future IPL seasons. He stated the franchise can no longer rely on past strategies, emphasizing the need for experienced bowlers and spinners. Ashwin also questioned if the current csk squad is suited for Chepauk's batting conditions, suggesting a more patient approach is required.

Former India coach Sanjay Bangar proposed a bold strategy for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final: starting with three overseas players if bowling first. This move aims to bolster batting depth for potential chases exceeding 220. Bangar also highlighted Sai Kishore's potential to trouble RCB's Rajat Patidar, suggesting a tactical advantage for GT.

Ravichandran Ashwin has defended Ruturaj Gaikwad against fan criticism following Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 playoff exit. Ashwin urged supporters to stop abusing the young captain, emphasizing that poor form is common and highlighting the increased competitiveness of the IPL. He noted Gaikwad's struggles as both batter and captain during the season.

MS Dhoni will miss Chennai Super Kings' final league game against Gujarat Titans due to a thumb injury. Batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed Dhoni's potential return if csk qualifies for the playoffs. The team, currently sixth, needs a win and favorable results to stay in contention.

After a season that rewrote IPL batting records - 27,450 runs, 1,426 sixes, 65 scores of 200-plus and nine successful 220-plus chases - the 2026 final produced a modest aggregate of 316 runs. Was it an anomaly or part of a larger trend? The TOI Data Desk analysis of all 19 IPL finals reveals that the belief that finals are traditionally low-scoring is largely a myth. Yet recent seasons suggest title deciders may be gradually trending below the scoring pace set during the league stage.