GT vs CSK, IPL 2026 - Gujarat Titans have done one better after 2025, says Abhinav Mukund
Gujarat Titans knock CSK out and seal top-two finish
The top order and their bowlers all came to the party as GT closed out their league stage in style
21/05Result
66th Match (N), Indian Premier League at Ahmedabad, May 21 2026
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![Gujarat Titans]( "Gujarat Titans")
-
![Chennai Super Kings]( "Chennai Super Kings")
140 (13.4/20 ov)
Player of the Match
21/05Result
66th Match (N), Indian Premier League at Ahmedabad, May 21 2026
-
![Gujarat Titans]( "Gujarat Titans")
-
![Chennai Super Kings]( "Chennai Super Kings")
140 (13.4/20 ov)
Player of the Match
Match Centre
Statistics
Best performances - Batsmen
Shubman Gill
64(37) 7x4 - 3x6
Control %79%
- Productive Shot
- slog sweep
- 12 runs
- 0x4 - 2x6
Best performances - Bowlers
Rashid Khan
- O2
- M0
- R18
- W3
- Eco9
| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
- FTFULL TOSS
- YYORKER
- FFULL LENGTH
- GGOOD LENGTH
- SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
- SSHORT LENGTH
| 1W | ||||
Mohammed Siraj
- O3
- M0
- R26
- W3
- Eco8.66
| 2W | 1W | |||
- FTFULL TOSS
- YYORKER
- FFULL LENGTH
- GGOOD LENGTH
- SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
- SSHORT LENGTH
Match Details
Toss
Chennai Super Kings , elected to field first
Player Of The Match
Season
Hours of play (local time)
19.30 start, First Session 19.30-21.00, Interval 21.00-21.15, Second Session 21.15-22.45
Match days
21 May 2026 - night match (20-over match)
Umpires
TV Umpires
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee
Points
Gujarat Titans 2, Chennai Super Kings 0
Scorecard Summary
GUJARAT TITANS 229/4 (20 OVERS)
- Shubman Gill64 (37)
- Sai Sudharsan84 (53)
- Spencer Johnson1/47 (4)
- Mukesh Choudhary1/36 (4)
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS 140 (13.4 OVERS)
- Matthew Short24 (14)
- Shivam Dube47 (17)
- Rashid Khan3/18 (2)
- Mohammed Siraj3/26 (3)
Scorer: Thilak Ram | Commentator: Ekanth and Abhimanyu
The joint-youngest IPL side continues to take massive strides in its initial years. Five-time champions have not had a good 2026. They'll have to return next year, who knows how that'll be. We'll have full clarity on the top-two sides this year, tomorrow, as SRH take on RCB. Join us for that. See you for now.
89-run win is GT's biggest win in terms of runs in the IPL. Three of their biggest wins by runs have come in the last four games
Mohammed Siraj, POTM: Ball's coming out nicely. Was out of the XIs during the WC, the rhythm for the game was missing. Then I watched videos and it's coming out nicely now. During practice, I use the new ball to work on my rhythm and line and length, and then go for yorkers. Red-soil pitch, I'm happy to be driven through covers. That's what came off with Samson. While bowling in the powerplay, my priority is to build pressure. With that, even Rabada can get wickets. That's how you bowl in partnerships.
Shubman Gill, GT captain: Important win. Happy to go in with the momentum we have. Even the first two games we played were close. We knew we were competitive, needed 5% which we got in the Delhi game. Our bowlers hit lengths consistently, odd ball will go over the rope but it's about backing your lengths. Happy with my batting, every time you're out you think you could've done better. Catching was much better, hope we continue. [Dube shush celebration] When you're playing a high-emotion game, it comes out. Neck's okay. Have to keep up with the good things. Need to maintain intent and impact in the playoffs. After 12 games, we were No. 1 last season, same this time. We lost last two last season. There was some deja vu but I don't think we've done much different this season. We've been consistently No. 1 or 2. Very grateful for fans who turn up and support us. Sides like RCB and CSK will have an edge, nothing will change in that matter.
Nilesh : "Can someone please explain how is GT's spot is sealed in top two with a chance of SRH also getting to 18 points? Thanks " One of RCB or SRH's NRR will be lower than GT's after tomorrow
Vivek: "So the top-two race is in a delicious situation now: Looks like SRH might find it easier to get past RCB than GT, since it's a zero-sum game between RCB and SRH as far as NRR is concerned. If SRH wins by some 80 runs, they might get past both RCB and GT, while RCB's NRR would dip below GT's. Waiting for S Rajesh's piece on this :)"
Scenarios for SRH tomorrow: They need to win by 88 runs if they score 220, by 87 if they score 200. if they're chasing 150, SRH need to win in around 11.1 to 11.3 overs, informs S Rajesh
Kagiso Rabada I realise now (that I'll be on a hat-trick next game). Our top-three were phenomenal, scored the bulk of the runs and put up a good total. Put up a total we could defend. It's about doing your best every game no matter how you feel. As long as you rock up and not afraid of being competitive, that's all I try and do. I've bowled in all three phases. For me, it's whatever the coach and team require of me. We've got a while now. Feet up, I guess, get stuck in your hotel room, watch some series and hit the ground running. [Is the wait time better or worse?] All the waiting is too much [smiles]
Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain: We wanted to chase whatever the total is asap. When you're chasing 230, it's not easy against that bowling attack. Thought why don't we give it a shot and express ourselves, credit to them. Wicket was spongy to start, they started well. Our bowling wasn't good in the powerplay. Hard to stop their openers. We had our chance to restrict them under 200, failed to do it. Tough season, after a hat-trick of losses first up. We found momentum, we found the right spots and combinations, but then were hit by injuries. Ghosh and Overton going out unsettled us, we were a batter or bowler short in the last three games. Not many people buy the fact that we are a young team in transition , with a lot of inexperienced players. More than 8-10 players have played less than 20 games, they've gotten exposure, we've found out what areas we're lacking. We still got six away wins, proud of the unit. We missed out on chasing 80 in 10 in Hyderabad and couldn't restrict them in Chennai. Not able to do that. Still proud. Moving on from Rahane, Rayudu, etc the experience we had is tough... Karthik, Urvil and Brevis, who missed out initially, are there. Karthik has potential, has areas to improve. Urvil's playing a full season for the first time, that comes with expectations. [Dhoni] You and I'll get to know it next year. It's a hard miss for us. He can come in those late overs and change the game just by staying in the crease. Never know about next season but really happy with the guys we have.
Edwin: "It the season for second timer. So definitely it is going to be RR in the fourth spot. All top 4 will be chasing their 4 title. If PBKS make it playoffs then, they will chase their first title. If KKR make it to Playoffs, they will chase their 4th title. My prediction is- the 4th team making the playoffs will go on win the title. RR/KKR/PBKS"
Deep: "Start your season with 3 losses and end it with 3 losses... Tough luck for CSK.. "
11:01pm Hard to imagine how that could've gone better for GT... or worse for CSK. It was always going to be a tall chase, but Siraj taking three quickly ensured it was insurmountable. There was no shortage of intent from CSK, but the top-order fell cheaply. By the time the middle-order threw in their hail mary, the asking rate and the mass of runs needed was too much. Dube's fireworks gave them a slimmer of hope but that hope was short lived thanks to Rashid and Co.
13.4
W
Rabada to Johnson, OUT, Appeal for caught behind, not given. GT review. Johnson removes his gloves and helmet, looks like this is out. Hard length on middle and off, Johnson showed all three stumps and looked to defend straight... and Hawk-Eye shows he got a thin feather. GT, with a net run rate 0.699, have all but confirmed their spot in the top-two. CSK's campaign is done!
SH Johnson c †Buttler b Rabada 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Venu: "So, in all practical probability, It is RCB, GT, SRH, RR/PK/KKR in that order..."
13.3
W
Rabada to Noor Ahmad, OUT, Rushed and Rabada takes the easiest of c&bs! 141ks shortish ball following him as Noor went just down leg, Noor tried to fend it leg side last second, the ball popped up off the splice and went to the off side of the pitch. Stayed there for a while
Noor Ahmad c & b Rabada 1 (6m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 20
13.2
0
Rabada to Noor Ahmad, no run, Goes hard for the cut and misses. Shortish ball just outside off, not enough for room for Noor
13.1
0
Rabada to Noor Ahmad, no run, Back of length around off, defended off the back foot to backward point
Can Rabada force an early finish?
END OF OVER:13 | 4 Runs 2 Wkts | CSK: 140/8 (90 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 10.76, RRR: 12.85)
- Mukesh Choudhary2 (2b)
- Noor Ahmad1 (2b)
- Rashid Khan2-0-18-3
- Prasidh Krishna1-0-13-0
Have you played WORD PLAY yet? Today's word is a bit tricky; our team found it not too easy and not too tough. Let's see if you get it right in fewer than six attempts. Play now.
12.6
0
Rashid Khan to Mukesh Choudhary, no run, Shortish ball on top of middle, pull beaten and he's hit on the trouser
12.5
2
Rashid Khan to Mukesh Choudhary, 2 runs, Darted into a length on leg, looks to flick it off the back foot. Spins in and takes the inside edge to roll through fine leg
Match Coverage
All Match NewsSai Sudharsan and Gill lead IPL 2026 Orange Cap race; Rabada joint-topper on Purple Cap table
Three Gujarat Titans bowlers returned three-wicket hauls against Chennai Super Kings, and all of them made serious moves up the Purple Cap table
Gill and Sai Sudharsan put their best foot forward, and back, to rake in the runs
The Gujarat Titans opening pair of Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan are not only scoring a lot of runs, they are scoring them quicker in IPL 2026 than they have before
Gaikwad 'really proud' of CSK's performance in 'transition phase'
As for the Dhoni question, Gaikwad said we will only get to know "next year"
CSK bowl and bring back Gurjapneet, Short for Hosein, Prashant Veer
GT plan to bring in Prasidh Krishna when they bowl, and left out Sai Kishore
IPL playoffs scenarios: KKR, RR, CSK and PBKS have one spot to fight over
The way the points table has shaped up, the last qualifier for the IPL 2026 playoffs will be known only on the last day of the league stage, May 24
