CSK vs KKR: Chennai Win Two in a Row

Chennai Super Kings moved off the bottom of the table with a commanding 32-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, registering back-to-back wins for the first time since April 2024. In this CSK vs KKR clash in IPL 2026, the hosts defended 192 despite heavy dew conditions at Chepauk.

CSK posted 192 for 5 before restricting KKR to 160 for 7, with their spinners playing a decisive role in sealing the win and keeping Kolkata winless this season.

Powerplay sets the tone for CSK

Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre laid the platform with aggressive intent early on a surface that proved difficult once the ball softened.

Mhatre and Samson made full use of the field restrictions, both targeting Vaibhav Arora with a flurry of boundaries. Mhatre’s 16-ball 38, including successive sixes off Cameron Green, gave CSK early momentum before he was bounced out at the end of the powerplay.

CSK raced to 72 in the first six overs, double KKR’s 36, a gap that ultimately proved decisive.

Middle overs tighten the game

Sunil Narine led KKR’s response in the middle phase, applying the brakes as Samson approached his half-century. Varun Chakravarthy also kept things tight early, while Kartik Tyagi made a key impact by dismissing Samson for 48.

The slowdown was significant, with only 70 runs coming in the nine overs after the powerplay. Narine, Anukul Roy and Varun restricted CSK’s scoring options effectively during this phase.

Brevis pushes, KKR contain late

Dewald Brevis broke the shackles briefly, taking 20 runs off Arora in the 16th over. However, KKR clawed things back at the death.

Narine conceded just a single boundary in the 17th over, while Tyagi’s overs at the end – including the 18th and 20th – went for just 14 runs. That late control kept KKR in the contest heading into the chase.

Early wickets derail KKR chase

KKR’s chase never fully recovered after early blows in the powerplay. Anshul Kamboj dismissed Finn Allen, who once again failed to get past the powerplay, while Khaleel Ahmed removed Sunil Narine after building pressure with disciplined lines.

Despite Narine striking two sixes and two fours, CSK’s seamers ensured KKR fell behind early in the chase.

Spin strangle seals the result

With Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi at the crease, CSK introduced spin and tightened control. Akeal Hosein eventually removed Raghuvanshi for 27 off 19, while Rahane managed 28 off 22 despite hitting two sixes.

Noor Ahmad then delivered the decisive spell, dismissing Rahane with a wrong’un before removing Cameron Green for a golden duck. He later added Rinku Singh to finish with 3 for 21.

CSK’s spinners combined for eight overs, conceding just 47 runs and taking four wickets, effectively ending the contest as KKR were left needing 86 from the final five overs.

What this means

This result lifts CSK into a mid-table cluster on four points and marks a significant turnaround after a slow start. For KKR, the defeat extends their winless run, with both batting and balance remaining key concerns as the tournament progresses.

Also check out:

Hinge’s Debut Stuns Royals as SRH Win Big