Chennai Super Kings were in dire straits early in their IPL 2026 clash with Gujarat Titans at Chepauk, but skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s masterful 74 not out steered them to 158/7, setting GT a target of 159. The match on April 26 saw GT captain Shubman Gill opt to bowl after winning the toss, a decision that initially paid off.
Openers Sanju Samson (11 off 15, 2×4) and Ruturaj built a platform of 21 runs in 3.3 overs. But wickets tumbled rapidly: Urvil Patel (4 off 3, 1×4) in his debut game, Sarfaraz Khan for nought on his first ball to Siraj, and Dewald Brevis for 2. By the 9th over, CSK were reeling at 37/4.
Shivam Dube’s counter-attacking 22 off 17 balls formed a crucial 59-run stand with Gaikwad over 43 deliveries, breathing life into the innings. Dube’s dismissal brought Karthik Sharma, who scored a quick 15 off 9. Gaikwad then anchored the lower order, finishing unbeaten on 74 from 60 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes.
GT’s bowlers struck back led by Kagiso Rabada’s 3/??, Arshad Khan’s 2, and single strikes from Siraj and Suthar. With CSK fifth on the table (3-4 record) and GT seventh (3-4), this chase could be a turning point. GT now faces the heat under the Chepauk lights.
