The sun rises in Chepauk as Hyderabad look to seal a play-off spot

Quick Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad (181/5 in 19 overs) beat Chennai Super Kings (180/7 in 20 overs) by 5 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chenna

CSK vs SRH: MAIN | SCORECARD

As Chennai prepared for what could have been the sunset of MS Dhoni’s legendary journey in Chepauk, Sunrisers Hyderabad ensured that the night marked the rise of their own playoff ambitions. With brilliant performances from their captain and vice-captain, SRH cruised to a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings to seal their spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs alongside Gujarat Titans.

The match was billed as possible 44-year-old ‘Thala’ Dhoni’s final dance in Chepauk in ČSK’s last home game of the season. With Chennai having one league match remaining and a play-off spot hanging in the balance, the emotional focus remained firmly on the former captain. However, Dhoni did not feature due to lingering fitness concerns.

Meanwhile, SRH arrived in Chepauk with a clear intention. On a slowed down surface offering grip and assistance to the bowlers, the visitors adjusted much better than the hosts and managed their chase smartly to get over the line with eight balls to spare.

CSK HUFF AND PUFF IN CHEPAUK

Chennai Super Kings raced to a competitive total in the first innings after skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad opted to bat first on a slow surface where the stroke play was never easy.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, CSK forged enough partnerships to post a fighting total in a must-win encounter. Sanju Samson provided the early momentum with a quickfire 27 off 13 deliveries before falling to Pat Cummins.

Urvil Patel briefly lit up Chepauk with his aggressive batting, smashing a couple of sixes including a Dhoni style helicopter shot. However, he struggled with the slower deliveries and was eventually dismissed by Sakib Hussain.

Gaikwad endured a scratchy stay at the crease, managing just 15 off 21 balls before becoming Cummins’ second wicket. Dewald Brevis then anchored the second half of the innings with a decisive 44 off 27 balls, while his 59-run partnership with Shivam Dube helped CSK recover from a stuttering middle stage.

Cummins played the ball for SRH, finishing with three wickets and expertly using slower deliveries on a dry surface. Sakib Hussain and Shivang also impressed as SRH prevented CSK from going full throttle in the dying overs.

THE CHASE THAT SEALED THE PLAYOFFS

The chase began with an early setback when Travis Head, playing as a substitute, mishit Mukesh Choudhary and gave the bowler a simple catch.

However, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan steadied the innings with a measured partnershipcarefully navigate the slow conditions during the powerplay. Abhishek never fully found his flow but contributed 26 off 21 balls before Akeal Hosein broke the stand in the seventh over.

As the pitch continued to slow, Heinrich Klaasen shifted the momentum firmly in SRH’s favour. The South African wicketkeeper-palter attacked CSK’s spinners aggressively and combined brilliantly with Kishan in a crucial 75-run knock off just 41 deliveries.

Klaasen looked set for a match-winning half-century before a sharp Dhoni-style stomp from Samson Off the bowling of Noor Ahmad, his knock ended on 47 off 26 balls. By then, however, SRH were firmly in control of the chase.

Kishan continued to anchor the innings brilliantly, delivering a well-paced fifty off 37 balls and ensuring that SRH never lost control of the equation. CSK attempted a late comeback when Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 18th over, but consecutive boundaries from Kishan effectively sealed the contest.

Although Kishan eventually fell for a brilliant 70 off 47 deliveries, SRH comfortably completed the chase to register a five-wicket win, with their batsmen showing impressive discipline and adaptability on a surface far removed from the high-scoring tracks on which they usually thrive.

– The end

Published on:

May 19, 2026 0:09 AM IST