IPL 2026: Gaikwad-Kartik's fifties push MI on verge of elimination as CSK notch 4th win to keep playoff hopes alive

CSK now have eight points and are placed at sixth spot in the points table. Meanwhile, MI continues to reel at ninth position. Albeit not mathematically, but Paltans are all but out of the playoffs race.

CSK crush MI by 8 wickets

CSK's victory was set up by a disciplined bowling unit, led by Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, who finished with impressive figures of 2/26. Alongside him, Anshul Kamboj dismantled the MI order with 3/32, effectively stifling the visitors after they elected to bat. Despite a spirited 57-ball 37 from Naman Dhir, Mumbai’s innings lacked spark, evidenced by captain Hardik Pandya’s laboured 18 runs off 23 deliveries, leaving them with a subpar total of 159/7.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kartik Sharma tonk brilliant fifties for CSK

In pursuit of the target, CSK’s chase began with high energy as Sanju Samson struck early boundaries before falling to a classic Jasprit Bumrah outswinger. However, any hopes of a Mumbai fightback were quickly extinguished by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The CSK skipper led from the front with a masterful, unbeaten 67 off 48 balls, orchestrating the chase with composure. He found an ideal partner in Kartik Sharma, who contributed a steady unbeaten 54, while Urvil Patel provided an early burst of momentum with a quick-fire 24.

The powerplay was particularly fruitful for the hosts, with Gaikwad taking the attack to Trent Boult and Patel punishing Krish Bhagat for multiple boundaries. Although Ghazanfar managed to dismiss Patel by forcing an inside edge onto the stumps, the breakthrough came too late to alter the course of the game. Gaikwad and Sharma remained unfazed, systematically picking apart the Mumbai attack to guide Chennai to a comfortable victory and complete a dominant season double over their historic rivals.

Anshul Kamboj breaks MI's back

Earlier, Noor Ahmad spearheaded a disciplined bowling performance to restrict a struggling MI to a modest 159/7. Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with clinical figures of 2/26, while Anshul Kamboj provided crucial breakthroughs with a 3/32 haul. Despite a fighting 57 off 37 balls from Naman Dhir, the visitors struggled to find their rhythm after winning the toss, a frustration epitomized by captain Hardik Pandya’s laboured 18 runs off 23 deliveries.

The contest began on a high note for CSK as Mukesh Choudhary opened with a suffocating one-run over. The momentum shifted further when IPL debutant Ramakrishna electrified the home crowd with a spectacular diving catch at deep backward point to dismiss Will Jacks off Kamboj’s bowling. Although Ryan Rickelton briefly sparked the MI innings into life by smoking successive sixes off Mukesh and targeting Prashant Veer for three maximums in a single over, the visitors' progress remained inconsistent. MI ended the powerplay at a respectable 57 for one, aided by Naman Dhir being dropped on 19 by Shivam Dube.

However, CSK quickly tightened their grip during the middle overs. Noor Ahmad claimed the vital wicket of Rickelton just as he looked dangerous, and debutant Ghosh celebrated his first IPL scalp by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav for 21. Suryakumar had shown flashes of his trademark brilliance with a few boundaries but failed to capitalize on his start, holing out to the deep. The pressure continued to mount as Tilak Varma fell to a top-edge while attempting a sweep, leaving the MI middle order silenced.

The closing stages of the innings saw MI collapse into an uninspired lull, plagued by a mounting number of dot balls and a lack of boundary-hitting power. Hardik Pandya and the lower order were unable to navigate CSK’s variations, failing to generate any momentum as the innings drew to a close.

CSK will now take on Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 5, while MI will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 4.