IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings Defeat Kolkata Knight Riders

Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling to find any momentum in IPL 19. Even after changing their opening combination, the results have remained unchanged. Dangerous opener Finn Allen was dismissed for just 1 run. Sunil Narine was given a lifeline on 18 runs when a catch was dropped, but he was soon dismissed as Khalil Ahmed trapped him off the second ball in the slip to Gurjapneet. At 29 for 2, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (27) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (28) attempted to stabilize the innings.

After the top-order collapse, Rahane and Raghuvanshi built a cautious partnership, raising hopes with a half-century stand. However, in the 11th over, Noor Ahmad produced a match-turning spell, taking 3 wickets for just 21 runs, dismissing Rahane and Cameron Green in quick succession and putting KKR under severe pressure. In the following over, he also sent back the dangerous Rinku Singh, shifting the momentum firmly towards Chennai. Despite a fighting effort from Rovman Powell (31) and Ramandeep Singh (35 not out), KKR could not chase the target and eventually lost by 32 runs, while Chennai Super Kings kept their playoff hopes alive.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Chennai Super Kings also had a shaky start. Sanju Samson played aggressively, scoring 48 runs with a flurry of boundaries in the very first over. However, out-of-form Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for just 7 by Anukul Roy. Alongside Samson, Ayush Mhatre played a blistering innings of 38 runs, including 20 runs in a single over with four boundaries and two sixes. The duo added 47 runs for the second wicket before Mhatre was dismissed by Vaibhav Arora. Later, Sanju Samson continued his aggressive approach with Sarfaraz Khan (23), but was bowled by Karthik Tyagi. At 111 for 3, Chennai counterattacked through Dewald Brevis (41) and Sarfaraz Khan. However, Sarfaraz was dismissed off Narine’s over, and Brevis, who was nearing his half-century, was also sent back by Tyagi. In the death overs, Overton (7 not out) and Shivam Dube (13 not out) failed to accelerate and Chennai, who were aiming for 200+, were restricted to 192 runs.