IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans thrash Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs, knock former champions out of Playoffs race

Ahmedabad: The Chennai Super Kings will not be able to secure a spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs. In their final match of the season, CSK suffered a defeat against the Gujarat Titans. After 14 matches, CSK has accumulated only 12 points. The team will be unable to climb higher than the 7th position in the standings. In the match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Gujarat Titans secured an 89-run victory.

This defeat—measured by the margin of runs—marks CSK's biggest loss in the history of the IPL. Batting first, Gujarat posted a total of 229 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. CSK's innings folded for 140 runs in 14 overs. Following their 14 matches, the Gujarat Titans have reached a tally of 18 points. The team currently occupies the second spot on the points table.

How did Gill and Sudharsan set up Gujarat's win?

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat first, Captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan once again provided a magnificent start for GT. The duo shared a 125-run partnership for the first wicket. Shubman Gill was dismissed after scoring 64 runs off 37 balls, an innings embellished with 3 sixes and 7 fours. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler then forged an 82-run partnership for the second wicket. Sai Sudharsan played a stellar innings of 84 runs off 53 balls, featuring 4 sixes and 7 fours. He was the second wicket to fall. Sudharsan's season tally has now reached 638 runs across 14 matches, and the Orange Cap has returned to his possession.

How did Jos Buttler perform?

Jos Buttler also contributed a magnificent half-century. He remained unbeaten, scoring 57 runs off just 27 balls, an innings highlighted by 4 sixes and 5 fours. Rahul Tewatia was run out without opening his account, while Washington Sundar was dismissed after scoring 7 runs off 3 balls. Anshul Kamboj proved expensive once again; he conceded 56 runs in his 4 overs while managing to claim only one wicket. Spencer Johnson claimed 1 wicket for 47 runs in 4 overs. Gurjapneet bowled well, conceding just 31 runs in 4 overs, but failed to pick up a wicket.

What Happened During the Powerplay?

Chasing the target, CSK suffered a major blow on the very first ball when Sanju Samson (0) was dismissed. Subsequently, Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to stabilize the innings by forging a 29-run partnership off 13 balls for the second wicket with Matthew Short; however, the team crumbled following the captain's dismissal. In the very same over, Urvil Patel was also dismissed without opening his account. All three wickets were claimed by Mohammed Siraj. Short was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada in the final over of the Powerplay. He played an innings of 24 runs off 14 balls, featuring 1 six and 3 fours. Apart from him, Kartik Sharma scored 19 runs.

The team had lost 5 wickets by the time the score reached 63. From this juncture, Shivam Dube shared a 53-run partnership off 21 balls with Dewald Brevis (8), but they were unable to guide the team to victory. Dube was dismissed after scoring 47 runs off 17 balls, hitting 4 sixes and an equal number of fours. From the opposition camp, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan each claimed 3 wickets.