Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 63rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryCSK vs SRH, 63rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary

So now we officially have three teams with a ‘Q’ next to their names - Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have all sealed their playoff spots. That leaves just one place and there are still five teams fighting for it. The race is set-up beautifully heading into the final week of the league stage and every game from here will be important. Tomorrow, we have Rajasthan Royals taking on Lucknow Super Giants. Do join us for that clash. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Ishan Kishan | Player of the Match: I think, when I was wicket keeping, I just felt like this wicket is not easy. I still felt chasing this total is going to be a bit too much because, the wicket was not at all easy, especially when spinners were bowling and those slow balls working out very well, but at the same time, as a number three batter, I just felt, my job is to just try and finish the game because, batters coming in, especially at the back end, it's difficult for them to take singles and at the same time score boundaries. So I had to just play it till the last over. (How to approach on such a surface?) No, I mean, it was just about being there, believing in yourself. Sometimes that situation is difficult, but we all know how, these games are won because you need to believe in yourself. You cannot doubt yourself at any point of time. So I was just trying to keep it simple, try and bat as many overs as I can because being a left-hander, being in the middle, it's difficult for the bowlers to keep the areas right every time. So I was just keeping it simple and trying to play till the last over. (On conversation with Klaseen) There was no conversation to be had. We both were just playing our shots, but at the same time, I would just say one thing. Sometimes I feel it's also about motivation, and for me, my motivation was today, my cousin is just standing there. He lost his sister. It was a tough time in our family and they are watching the match for the first time here. So I just wanted to finish the game for them, and I'm glad they were here to witness this innings, and I was able to finish this game. I was just feeling blessed from upstairs. I had that sense of power, like, yes, I can do it if I'm there for the team. We will qualify and especially, he'll be happy about it.

Pat Cummins | SRH captain: Really satisfying. It was a bit different to how we'd normally play. It was a pretty tough wicket there to bat. I thought the way the guys, Klassy and Ishan, chased down, it was really gutsy, so very happy. (Where do you think the game was won?) No, I think that partnership, it was really tough. We thought you needed 1-2 good partnerships. It gets a little bit easy once you get in there. Really tough for a new batter, but they just chose their match-ups and played some ridiculous shots. (Any conversation after the last game with the 86 all-out?) Yeah, I wouldn't say we are famous for responsible batting, but maybe when you ask, you never know. Of course, when we were bowling and we felt like it was staying a little bit low. It was gripping, so it wasn't the go out there and bang it. And yeah, credit to the batters, they were fantastic. (Was 180 par?) Again, I felt like it came down to 1-2 partnerships, 180 you'd probably take. It's a tough wicket, so I felt like it was around about par, maybe just a little bit over par. (Did he cheer when Rutu opted to bat?) No, I mean, obviously they play here. They know the wicket a lot better. There's been a lot of successes, successful teams here chasing. So, winning today, [that] didn't really matter. (How are you feeling about the Sunrisers' chances ahead of the playoffs now?) Yeah, that's it. You can't give yourself a better chance than what we have. So... Got one more game, hopefully gives us a chance for the top two, but either way, we're into the qualifying and the real stuff starts now, so a lot of hard work. Ishan as well, captain for half of it, so he deserves a lot more credit on himself. Yeah, good feeling of this squad. (Any areas of improvement at all?) There's always a few things. I think there's a couple of overs where we just missed our mark a little bit. Could have probably assessed the conditions a little bit quicker, but overall, really happy.

Heinrich Klaasen: (Thrilled with this effort?) Yeah, it was a difficult chase coming in, chasing a score like that on this wicket is always a tough task. But yeah, happy for the team. It's a brilliant performance. And one more game, group stage game to go. (You looked in great touch. Happy?) Yeah, the first couple of balls I blocked and I said, no, I can't play cricket like this. I need to be aggressive on this wicket and it made my way tonight. So yeah, I'm happy with the way I'm striking the ball. Hopefully it continues for the rest of the competition. (Kishan was quite prepared to play a second fiddle?) Yeah, I think the whole season has been like that. The moment one of our batters are running with it, the other guy's putting his ego aside and just making sure that the scoreboard is still ticking from his side and he will take other with that momentum that comes his way. So we've been incredible with the bat this season and hopefully it continues. (What was different with this pitch?) It stayed low, when we bowled the cutters, it looked a lot slower and it kept quite low. And when they bowled, it skidded on quite nicely, but it was a little bit up and down. It's one of the better Chennai wickets that I've played on. But it's not an easy place to come and play cricket. (Huge relief now that you're in the playoffs?) Yeah, it's a big game still (vs RCB). I think if we win it, we can maybe go one-two. It's a big game. That's obviously a big reward if we can get into that top two. So a massive game playing in front of our home crowd. They've been incredible. So hopefully the orange army will be there in thousands.

Anshul Kamboj in IPL 2026
First 9 games - Overs: 31.4.0, Wkts: 17, ER: 8.49
Last 4 games - Overs: 14.4, Wkts: 3, ER: 13.97

Most sixes conceded in an IPL season
33 - Rashid Khan (2025)
31 - Mohammed Siraj (2022)
30 - Wanindu Hasaranga (2022)
30 - Yuzi Chahal (2024)
30 - Kagiso Rabada (2026)
30 - Anshul Kamboj (2026)*

Successive victory for SRH against CSK at Chepauk after losing five consecutive games against them in Chennai since 2013.

This is the first time SRH has achieved the double over CSK in an IPL season.

Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK captain: (It was pretty tight right till the end?) Yes, it was. I thought, you know, a good game of cricket. Obviously, we were into the game until the second last over. And I think a good T20 pitch as well. I think it didn't change much throughout the course of the game. And I thought 180 runs was a rounded about par score, chasing the second batting. So, a good game. Just missed out on few, but I mean, that's okay. Still proud of the boys. (Was there one area where you probably could have been better today?) I think nothing actually, just cashing in on the opportunity right after you take a wicket. That's where you want to kind of build pressure on the opposition. I think we just weren't able be able to do that, especially after losing a wicket. But I think still, given the team that we had and limited squad and whatever best combinations we had, I'm still proud and I still feel we did well. (Do you think that you can still build on this team going into next year?) Well, definitely. We are building up. I think a lot of positives, to be honest. Sanju's addition is a great sign. He's playing really well for us. Kartik Sharma, once again a great knock today. So, I think we are building. Obviously, missed out on a few players, a few key players who were part of the playing 12th. And I think after that, you have to look back and go, where can we find those exact replacements, yes or not? So obviously, it depends on a lot of factors, but still, given whatever squad we had, everyone gave their heart out today. And as I said, still proud of the boys. (Word for the CSK fans?) Yes, sir. The crowd, the fans that we have all around the world, they come and support us through the thick and thin. So, yes, we lost a couple of games at home, but I think, compared to last year, we were still very much better this year. And definitely coming here next year will be a much more stronger unit.

23:37 Local Time, 18:07 GMT: That was a very well-paced chase from Sunrisers Hyderabad. This wasn’t the typical flat surface their batters usually thrive on; it was two-paced, a bit sluggish and required far more patience and control. Head fell early, but Abhishek and Ishan Kishan steadied things nicely and ensured they got a steady start. When Abhishek departed, Klaasen walked in and completely changed the momentum of the game. At that stage, Chennai Super Kings’ spin duo of Akeal and Noor were beginning to apply real pressure through the middle overs. But Klaasen’s counterattack forced CSK to rethink their plans entirely. His aggressive approach broke the squeeze and the 75-run stand for the third wicket firmly pushed SRH into the driver’s seat. There was a brief opening for CSK when Noor dismissed Klaasen, but Kishan remained composed, batted deep into the chase and ensured there were no further hiccups. Arora and Smaran then calmly completed the formalities. For CSK, it is another defeat to end their home campaign. They are not mathematically eliminated from the playoff race yet, but their chances are now hanging by a thread. Post-match stuff coming up..

Anshul Kamboj to Ishan Kishan, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Chepauk has gone silent. There were a lot of tense faces and there was some noise. But those two strikes from Kishan has silenced them. Can Kamboj get them going again?

Back over the wicket