CSK Completes Double Over MI in IPL 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad Pleased with Team’s Performance

CSK Completes Double Over MI in IPL 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad Pleased with Team’s Performance

The Chennai Super Kings have been on the losing end during the start of the season; however, their fortunes started to change when Sanju Samson was slowly seen regaining his form, with his first big innings coming in the form of a century against the Delhi Capitals, leading to the first victory for the Super Kings.

The turbulent campaign has had many jolts to their campaign, but they bounced back on several occasions and have now managed to win four matches this season, including two matches against the Mumbai Indians. The Super Kings have now won six of their last seven matches against the Mumbai Indians since 2023.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Leads the Team to Victory

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK skipper, has finally returned to deliver with the bat in recent games and has now finally played a match-winning innings for his team, thus also winning a player of the match award for the first time this season.

MI’s captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, one of the toughest batting tracks in India. However, the way they had performed with the bat in their last game might have handed Pandya the confidence to bat first.

CSK made some massive changes to their squad as they opted to pick all their youngsters in the same squad. Urvil Patel played their second match of the season as well after Ayush Mhatre was ruled out of the upcoming matches.

Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmed Restrict MI to 159

Anshul Kamboj started with the first massive wicket of Will Jacks and once again picked three wickets in the game, thus helping CSK alongside Noor Ahmed to restrict them to a score of 159. Kamboj has claimed 17 wickets now in 9 appearances and is back at the top.

Coming out to chase a total of 160, Ruturaj Gaikwad started off nicely with the bat. After Samson the centurion against MI in the last game at Wankhede, was dismissed shortly in the powerplay, Gaikwad contributed to some staggering partnerships.

With a partnership alongside Urvil Patel that saw them through the power play, he handed CSK the perfect start. Then alongside youngster Kartik Sharma, who was promoted in the innings, he put on a mammoth 98-run partnership.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma Steal the Show

Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed with an unbeaten 67 off just 48 balls and was picked as the player of the match, while Kartik Sharma also reached his maiden IPL century and played a vital knock of 54 runs unbeaten. This was CSK’s biggest win over the Mumbai Indians in terms of margin of wickets.

CSK could only manage to win 4 matches in the last season; however, they have done it with five more matches remaining in the contest. “Feels good. We started really well, the first couple of overs; they got momentum after that, and we pulled it back. It was about getting through the first couple of overs, and then it was about one of the top three staying there,” Ruturaj Gaikwad said after the win.

“He (Kamboj) is someone who is keeping it really simple, sticking to the process, and his mind is thinking like a batter’s mind. Noor has made some adjustments and come along really well.

“We thought about how to get the balance right, how to get a batter at eight and the extra bowler. Veer and Ghosh are someone who can contribute with both; they give extra cushion in the batting and bowl a couple of overs as well,” said Ruturaj Gaikwad on team dynamics.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Praises Young Kartik Sharma

CSK skipper’s massive praise for young Kartik Sharma: He said, “Yes, he is a six-hitter, but he has the other game as well, but he picks and chooses particular deliveries. Great sign for us, as Mr. Cricket said he is someone who, if he gets going, then can be great for us.”

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