Even after delivering their first league win of IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that he still believes the team’s bowling unit is missing that elusive “X-factor”. CSK beat Delhi Capitals by 23 runs on Sunday, moving to ninth place in the points table, while Delhi ended up rooted at the bottom with Kolkata Knight Riders also slipping into last position.
How the match unfolded
- CSK set a challenging total of 212/2 from their 20 overs after batting first.
- Sanju Samson played a match-defining knock of 115 not out, striking 14 fours and four sixes off 56 balls and posting a strike rate of 205.36.
- Defending that 213-run target, CSK bowled Delhi out for 189 in 20 overs.
- Jamie Overton produced a four-wicket haul to drive the Capitals into trouble, while Anshul Kamboj also finished with three wickets.
- Delhi’s Pathum Nissanka (41) looked solid in the power play, giving the chase a strong start.
- CSK then struck early with key dismissals: Khaleel Ahmed removed KL Rahul (18) in the fifth over, breaking the opening partnership.
- Axar Patel (1) was dismissed in the seventh over, with Gurjapneet Singh taking his wicket.
- Overton struck again in the eighth over, removing Sameer Rizvi (6), and later added wickets including David Miller (17), Tristan Stubbs (60) and Auqib Nabi (4).
After the win, Gaikwad was asked whether he was pleased with CSK’s bowling showing. The captain acknowledged that there is still work to do, saying, “Well, definitely we don’t have that X-factor in our bowling lineup. But as we have been discussing every game, how we can be effective, how we can be proactive, and how we can save that extra boundary. But being attacking as well—you may have defensive fields, but you try and be attacking, try and use your lengths really well.”
Gaikwad also pointed to the fine margins that decide close contests. “That’s what you can do at your best. And I think even the last few games, we were almost there, it’s just that one or two odd overs that really went big—over 20 or 25—that really cost us. So I think today, as I said, bowling-wise, we were right on the mark. Yes, we were set on the back foot in the powerplay, but I think after that, we came back really well,” he added.
On the atmosphere at home, Gaikwad praised the Chennai crowd, saying the support never wavers. “Yes, Chennai fans, they are always there behind us, no matter what. I’ve been receiving so many messages, so many good wishes, wherever we go, they are always backing us. They are always supporting us. And that’s what this side of the country it is. It is just about lovely people just enjoying the cricket and loving the franchise,” he said.
