IPL 2026: CSK beat MI by 8 wickets as Gaikwad, Kartik Sharma seal easy chase

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) by eight wickets in Match 44 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 160, CSK rode on an unbeaten 91-run partnership between captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma to seal the win with 11 balls to spare, keeping their playoff hopes alive while further denting MI’s campaign.

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CSK bowlers choke MI after strong start

After being put in to bat, MI looked set for a much bigger total, reaching 90/2 at the halfway mark. However, a dramatic collapse in the second half saw them finish at just 159/7.

Naman Dhir was the standout performer for MI, scoring a composed 57 off 37 balls, while Ryan Rickelton provided early momentum with a quickfire 37. The duo steadied the innings after the early loss of Will Jacks, who fell cheaply to Anshul Kamboj.

The turning point came in the middle overs when CSK’s spinners and change bowlers tightened the screws. Noor Ahmad removed Rickelton, while debutant Ramakrishna Ghosh made an instant impact by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav for 21.

From there, MI lost momentum rapidly. Tilak Varma struggled for fluency before falling for 5, while Dhir’s well-made half-century ended in the 17th over. Anshul Kamboj then struck crucial blows, removing Hardik Pandya and Robin Minz to complete an impressive three-wicket haul.

Despite a late cameo from Trent Boult, MI managed only 69 runs in the last 10 overs, highlighting their struggles in accelerating at the death.

Gaikwad, Kartik Sharma finish chase with ease

CSK’s chase began aggressively, with Urvil Patel setting the tone by scoring 24 off just 12 balls before falling to Allah Ghazanfar. However, MI struck twice in quick succession as Jasprit Bumrah removed Sanju Samson, leaving CSK at 62/2 in the powerplay.

From there, Gaikwad took control of the innings, anchoring the chase with a composed unbeaten 67 off 48 balls. He was well supported by impact substitute Kartik Sharma, who played a crucial hand with a fluent 54* off 40 balls.

The pair initially stabilised the innings before accelerating in the latter half, ensuring there were no further hiccups. Kartik brought up his maiden IPL fifty and fittingly finished the game in style with a reverse scoop boundary off Trent Boult in the 19th over.

MI’s bowlers struggled to break the partnership, with only Bumrah and Ghazanfar managing breakthroughs.

The win boosts CSK’s position in the mid-table and keeps them firmly in the playoff race. For MI, another defeat further complicates their path, leaving them with little margin for error in the remaining matches.

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings:
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary

Mumbai Indians:
Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar