Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad credited his side’s fight for keeping the contest alive, even as CSK slipped to a five-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 63 of the IPL 2026 on Monday. The result dealt a heavy blow to Chennai’s bid for the playoffs, while SRH confirmed their postseason spot by chasing down 181 with six balls remaining at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Quick facts
- Match: IPL 2026, Match 63
- Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium
- Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by five wickets
- Chase: 181 chased with six balls to spare
- CSK innings: 180/7 in 20 overs
- Top scorers (CSK): Dewald Brevis 44
- Top scorers (SRH): Ishan Kishan 70, Heinrich Klaasen 47
- CSK points: Sixth in the table with 12 points from 13 matches
- Next game: vs Gujarat Titans on 21 May at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Gaikwad spoke after the match with a clear message: CSK stayed in the hunt deep into the chase. He felt the game was finely poised for most of the innings, noting that the pitch remained consistent and that the team just failed to cash in at key moments.
“It was a good game of cricket. We were still in it until the penultimate over,” Gaikwad said. He added that the surface didn’t noticeably change as the contest progressed, but CSK “just missed out on a few,” suggesting that turning those crucial phases into runs was the difference.
CSK set a target of 181
Batting first, Chennai posted 180/7 in their 20 overs. Dewald Brevis led the scoring with 44, while Sanju Samson supplied a brisk start by making 27. Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube also contributed in useful bursts as CSK built a total that looked competitive for the chase.
Still, SRH’s response proved decisive, with their top order and middle-over acceleration taking the game away from Chennai. Ishan Kishan struck a match-winning 70, and Heinrich Klaasen backed him with an aggressive 47 to steer SRH to the target.
SRH chase seals playoffs
Sunrisers Hyderabad chased comfortably, finishing the job with six balls to spare as Kishan and Klaasen combined for the kind of momentum that typically breaks a chase open. The win ensured SRH booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs, while CSK’s playoff chances were further dented by the defeat.
Despite the setback, Gaikwad insisted he was proud of the collective effort. He pointed to the obstacles CSK faced during the season and stressed that, given the squad they had available, the team still managed to take plenty of positives from the match.
“Still, with the team we had and a limited squad, I’m proud and I feel we did well. There are a lot of positives,” Gaikwad said. His comments reflected a season-long narrative of missing key players, but also a belief that CSK competed hard whenever they got the chance.
Gaikwad also singled out wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for his performances across the tournament. He noted that Samson had been playing really well for the franchise, and that Chennai’s overall effort was powered by players giving their “heart out” on the day.
On the support from the stands, Gaikwad highlighted the role of CSK’s loyal fanbase throughout the season. “The crowd and the fans we have, they support us through thick and thin,” he said, adding that compared to the previous year, this campaign felt “very much better.”
In the points table, CSK remain at sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches after the loss. Their final group-stage assignment will be against the Gujarat Titans on 21 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
