CSK bow out in humiliating fashion as GT hand them crushing 89-run defeat

Chennai Super Kings’ disappointing IPL 2026 campaign came to a crushing end on Thursday night.

As Gujarat Titans outclassed them by 89 runs in Ahmedabad, officially knocking the five-time champions out of the tournament. With just 12 points from 14 matches, CSK failed to reach the playoffs for the third straight season, raising fresh questions about the team’s direction and consistency.

Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, tightened their grip on a top-two finish with a dominant all-round performance led by Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. Sudharsan smashed 84, Gill played a captain’s knock of 64, while Buttler’s explosive unbeaten 57 powered GT to a massive 229-run total.

In reply, CSK never truly threatened the target and were bundled out for 140 in only 13.4 overs, with Shivam Dube emerging as the lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable batting display.

CSK’S TEAM CHANGES BACKFIRE

With their season on the line, Chennai made several bold selection calls that ultimately failed to pay off. The team management opted to leave out Prashant Veer and Akeal Hosein, bringing in Matthew Short and Gurjapneet Singh instead.

Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad later explained the move was made keeping team combinations in mind, but the absence of an additional bowling option proved costly on a batting-friendly Ahmedabad surface. Short, despite being capable of contributing with the ball, was never used as a bowler.

GT openers Gill and Sudharsan immediately capitalised on the conditions. The duo, who had previously tormented CSK in Ahmedabad with a massive partnership in 2024, once again dominated from the outset. Chennai’s problems worsened early after Sanju Samson injured his finger and briefly left the field, disrupting communication and rhythm behind the stumps.

Gill and Sudharsan raced to 62 runs in the powerplay, attacking both pace and spin with confidence. Noor Ahmad struggled against his former side and was taken apart by the Gujarat captain, who continued his ultra-aggressive approach this season.

Gill brought up a rapid half-century in just 23 balls, while Sudharsan soon followed with another composed fifty, entering an elite IPL list with five consecutive half-centuries. Once Gill departed in the 13th over, Sudharsan and Buttler shifted gears completely.

The pair tore into Chennai’s bowling attack in the death overs, particularly targeting Noor and the pacers. Gujarat hammered 78 runs in the final six overs, with Buttler finishing strongly to push the total close to 230.

CSK’S CHASE FALLS APART

Chasing a daunting target, Chennai needed a flying start but instead suffered an immediate setback. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Sanju Samson for a first-ball duck, silencing any early momentum.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, promoted to No.3, briefly counterattacked alongside Matthew Short, but Siraj quickly turned the game decisively in Gujarat’s favour. The Indian pacer removed both Gaikwad and Urvil Patel in the same over, leaving CSK under immense pressure.

Short and Kartik Sharma attempted a recovery, but Kagiso Rabada struck at crucial moments to keep Gujarat firmly in control. Shubman Gill then produced a sharp run-out to dismiss Kartik, underlining GT’s intensity in the field after criticism of their standards earlier in the tournament.

Shivam Dube fought hard with a series of aggressive strokes, but he found little support from the other end. Dewald Brevis and the middle order once again struggled to maintain the required tempo — an issue that repeatedly haunted CSK throughout the season.

Rashid Khan eventually ended Dube’s resistance after being hit for a six, and from there the collapse accelerated. Rashid removed Brevis and Kamboj in quick succession before Rabada wrapped up the innings and sealed an emphatic Gujarat victory.

QUESTIONS AHEAD FOR CSK

The absence of Jamie Overton certainly hurt Chennai’s balance, but the franchise’s constant experimentation throughout the season also played a major role in their downfall. The decision to play Matthew Short primarily as an extra batter without strengthening the bowling attack appeared particularly costly in Ahmedabad.

While CSK may have feared Akeal Hosein conceding heavily on a flat surface, Rashid Khan showed that quality spinners could still make an impact on the same pitch.

For Chennai, IPL 2026 once again became a season filled with uncertainty, changing combinations and discussions surrounding MS Dhoni rather than consistent performances on the field.

After another campaign ending without a playoff appearance, the pressure will now firmly shift onto the franchise management to rebuild and rediscover the stability that once made CSK one of the IPL’s most dominant teams.