Chennai Super Kings were eliminated from IPL 2026 in the most brutal way possible on Thursday, suffering the heaviest defeat of their tournament history as Gujarat Titans cruised to a convincing 89-run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The result delivered a statement finish to Gujarat’s league-stage journey and also dealt a fatal blow to CSK’s fading playoff hopes.
Gujarat Titans ended the league phase with momentum and purpose, closing out their campaign with 18 points from 14 matches. That haul has them holding the second position in the points table, just behind table-toppers and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB also sit on 18 points, but they edge Gujarat on net run rate and have played one fewer match. For CSK, the loss was final: it officially ruled them out of contention and capped a disappointing season with a record margin.
CSK’s record loss and Gujarat’s biggest win
The 89-run defeat became CSK’s worst-ever IPL loss by margin. Prior to this, their biggest setbacks were far smaller, including a 60-run loss to Mumbai Indians in 2013. The Ahmedabad result also marked Gujarat’s most dominant victory in the franchise’s IPL history.
Biggest defeat margins for CSK in IPL
- 89 runs vs Gujarat Titans, Ahmedabad, 2026
- 60 runs vs Mumbai Indians, Mumbai, 2013
- 54 runs vs Punjab Kings, Brabourne, 2022
- 50 runs vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai, 2025
- 46 runs vs Mumbai Indians, Chennai, 2019
Biggest victory margins for Gujarat Titans
- 89 runs vs Chennai Super Kings, Ahmedabad, 2026
- 82 runs vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, 2022
- 77 runs vs Rajasthan Royals, Jaipur, 2022
- 62 runs vs Lucknow Super Giants, Pune, 2022
- 62 runs vs Mumbai Indians, Ahmedabad, 2023 (Qualifier 2)
GT finish with authority as Gill and Sudharsan lead the charge
Gujarat Titans looked primed from the start and once again underlined why they have become one of the most formidable sides in IPL 2026. With Ruturaj Gaikwad opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Titans’ top order took control and stretched the advantage almost immediately.
- Shubman Gill struck a 37-ball 64, clearing the ropes seven times with fours and three times with sixes.
- Sai Sudharsan backed his excellent season with a composed 84 off 53 balls.
- Gill and Sudharsan combined for a 125-run opening partnership and pushed the score to 100 within the first 10 overs.
- When Gill was dismissed, Jos Buttler stepped in and kept the momentum rolling, finishing unbeaten on 57 from 27 deliveries.
- Buttler and Sudharsan built another punishing stand as Gujarat Titans posted 229/4.
- That total proved far beyond what CSK could chase, with the chase never truly getting underway.
Siraj’s powerplay sets the tone as CSK tumble
CSK’s chase was strangled at the start. Mohammed Siraj produced a sharp, wicket-filled spell that dismantled the top order and created a mountain of pressure for CSK to climb.
- Siraj struck early by dismissing Sanju Samson for a first-ball duck.
- He followed up by removing Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel in quick succession, leaving CSK struggling at 29/3.
- Kagiso Rabada then added another blow by getting rid of Matthew Short as the innings continued to unravel.
- Only Shivam Dube offered any meaningful resistance, hitting 47 off 17 balls, but the damage was already done.
- Rashid Khan cleaned up the lower order, and CSK were bowled out for 140 in 14 overs.
Siraj, who finished with figures of 3/26, explained that his mindset in the powerplay was to put pressure on the batters. “Ball is coming out nicely. While bowling in the powerplay, my priority is to build pressure,” he said after the match.
For Gujarat Titans, the win carried extra importance with the playoffs approaching. Gill described it as an “important win” and said he was happy to carry momentum into the next phase. “Happy to go in with the momentum we have,” the GT skipper remarked.
With CSK’s campaign ending in record fashion, the defeat also surpassed their previous heaviest IPL setback—a 60-run loss to Mumbai Indians in 2013—making Thursday’s result another milestone in IPL 2026.
