CSK crush MI in eight-wicket win as Gaikwad and Sharma shine
CSK crush MI in eight-wicket win as Gaikwad and Sharma shine
Chennai Super Kings chase down Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in Chennai, with Gaikwad 67* and Sharma 54* guiding the win as Hardik Pandya admits MI's season hasn’t gone to plan.
Chennai Super Kings tightened their grip on the IPL 2026 playoff race by routing Mumbai Indians by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. MI posted 159 for 7, with Naman Dhir producing a fighting 57 off 37 and Ryan Rickelton adding 37 at the top. Noor Ahmad starred for CSK with 2/26 and Anshul Kamboj claimed 3/32 as the bowlers kept the run-rate in check and a sharp Ramakrishna Ghosh diving catch to dismiss Will Jacks highlighted CSK’s fielding.
In the chase, CSK made the task look straightforward. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the innings with an unbeaten 67 off 48 balls, while Kartik Sharma provided a composed 54 not out. An 98-run partnership between Gaikwad and Sharma put the result beyond doubt, and Urvil Patel’s quick 24 ensured the finishing touches. CSK reached the target with 11 balls to spare, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive and piling pressure on MI.
After the match, Hardik Pandya conceded that IPL 2026 had not gone according to plan for Mumbai. “Not the season,” he said, praising CSK’s better bowling, fielding, and batting and noting MI failed to gain momentum after a below-par start. The defeat left MI with seven losses this season and extended their playoff absence, while CSK took another step toward the postseason.
