Chennai Super Kings secured a crucial eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at Chepauk on Saturday, keeping their playoff hopes firmly alive. The chase was powered by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and a standout burst from Kartik Sharma, who delivered the finishing touch while steering CSK to the target with ease.
Quick facts
- Result: CSK beat MI by eight wickets at Chepauk on Saturday
- Chase target: 160 runs for CSK
- Kartik Sharma: 54* off 40 balls (four fours, three sixes); batted ahead of Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis
- MI total: 159/7 after batting first
- Bowling highlights: Anshul Kamboj took three wickets; Noor Ahmad took a couple
- Kamboj milestone: joint-leading wicket-taker in the competition with 17 wickets
- CSK position: moved to sixth place with 8 points from 8 matches
- Next match: CSK vs Delhi Capitals on Tuesday at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
With the innings unfolding in Chennai, Kartik was promoted to the crease ahead of Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis during CSK’s pursuit of a modest 160. The 20-year-old made the role his own, remaining unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries, striking four boundaries and clearing the ropes three times as CSK kept the required rate under control.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming heaped praise on Kartik after the win, calling it a memorable statement against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. He emphasised that giving opportunities to younger players involves more than raw talent, and that handling the intensity of a major stage is equally important.
Fleming also explained how Kartik’s preparation helped shape the innings. In his assessment, the youngster’s early introduction had been tough, but with time to work hard and refine his game, the payoff arrived in the form of a composed display under pressure.
“He’s a fine player,” Fleming said, noting that Kartik’s auction price reflected the belief others already had in his abilities. He added that the night showed both temperament and skill, predicting that the batter would keep improving as he gains more experience.
MI restricted to 159/7
Earlier, Mumbai Indians began their innings first but could not create the kind of late-innings momentum that would have made the chase uncomfortable. CSK’s bowling kept things tight throughout, limiting MI to 159/7.
Anshul Kamboj was the stand-out with three wickets, while Noor Ahmad chipped in with a couple as MI failed to convert their starts into a bigger total. The performance also lifted Kamboj to the joint lead in the wicket-taking charts for the season, with 17 wickets after this match.
Fleming spoke about why Kamboj’s impact was expected. He said the bowler had shown strong form at the end of the previous year, and that he had worked hard—alongside CSK bowling coach Eric Simons—on the specific demands of death bowling.
According to Fleming, the emphasis was on mastering the execution under pressure, along with the tactical side of bowling at the end of innings. He pointed to the groundwork done before the season and during ongoing work, including sessions with open wickets to understand angles and what the bowler can attempt from different positions.
IPL debut for Ramakrishna Ghosh
CSK also handed Ramakrishna Ghosh an opportunity in his IPL debut. He bowled three overs, conceding 24 runs, and took a key wicket of Suryakumar Yadav—an important breakthrough that helped CSK maintain control.
Fleming described Ghosh as a batting all-rounder and said his impression from the match was strong. He highlighted that improvement in recent weeks has been evident, crediting the youngster’s training at the academy and the quality of the workout environments CSK uses.
While Fleming noted it was disappointing that Ghosh picked up an injury towards the end, he still underscored another positive: the way the player bats. He concluded that Ghosh can genuinely be called an all-rounder, with batting growth adding to his value.
The victory propelled CSK to sixth place in the points table, with eight points from eight matches. Next up, they will face Delhi Capitals on Tuesday at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
