
The atmosphere at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium was electric on Sunday, as the 37th match of the IPL 2026 season saw a high-stakes clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Gujarat Titans (GT). In a season where every point counts toward the playoffs, GT delivered a clinical performance that left the ‘Yellow Army’ stunned. From a lethal opening spell that silenced the Chepauk crowd to a batting masterclass that made a tricky chase look like a walk in the park, Gujarat dominated every facet of the game to secure a massive 8-wicket victory.
Kagiso Rabada dismantles CSK batting line-up to a modest total
The tone was set early in the evening by South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, who produced a masterclass in pace bowling. Electing to bat first, CSK hoped to set a daunting target, but Rabada had other plans. He exploited the slight movement available under the lights, finishing with remarkable figures of 3/25 in his 4 overs.
Rabada struck his first blow in the 4th over, dismissing the dangerous Sanju Samson for 11. He didn’t stop there, removing Urvil Patel (4) just three balls later to leave CSK reeling at 25/2. When Mohammed Siraj chimed in to remove Sarfaraz Khan for a duck in the following over, the CSK top order had effectively evaporated within the Powerplay.
Despite a valiant, lone-warrior effort from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who remained unbeaten on 74 off 60 balls (including 11 boundaries), the lack of support at the other end was glaring. Contributions from Shivam Dube (22) and Jamie Overton (18) provided a late flourish, but Rabada returned to pick up Kartik Sharma (15) and stifle any hopes of a total near 180. CSK eventually huffed and puffed to a modest 158/7, a score that felt at least 20 runs short on a surface that began to settle.
Sai Sudharsan powers GT to a convincing triumph against CSK
If Rabada broke the spirit of the CSK bowlers, Sai Sudharsan broke their resolve. Chasing 159, Gujarat Titans came out with an aggressive intent that caught the Chennai spinners off guard. Sudharsan, playing with a blend of classical elegance and modern power, orchestrated a batting clinic that saw GT reach the target in just 16.4 overs.
The opening stand between Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill (33 off 23) was a spectacle of timing, bringing up the team’s 50 in just 5.3 overs. After Gill’s departure, Sudharsan found an able ally in Jos Buttler, who played a composed supporting role with an unbeaten 39 off 30 balls.
Sudharsan was the undisputed star, bludgeoning 87 runs off just 46 deliveries. His knock was punctuated by 8 boundaries and 4 towering sixes, striking at a formidable rate of 189.13. By the time he was dismissed by Akeal Hosein in the 17th over, the result was a mere formality. GT finished at 162/2, winning with 20 balls to spare. This dominant victory propels Gujarat to the 5th spot in the table, leaving CSK searching for answers as the race for the top four intensifies.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Sanju Samson surpasses MS Dhoni to set new record during CSK vs GT clash
Here’s how fans reacted:
A splendid win for Gujarat Titans 👏#CSKvsGT #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/a19CMD9LTL
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 26, 2026
Kagiso Rabada’s numbers are good this season for two reasons
1) high pace of 150 consistency
2) not going towards slower ball early onSimilar story for Jofra Archer.
Don’t bowl slower ball unnecessary.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 26, 2026
🚨Kagiso Rabada is breathing fire today🥵
One over. Two wickets. Total destruction 💥
Sanju Samson gone.
Urvil Patel gone pic.twitter.com/W5VQ9284En— Mufanlal Wohra (@ramgaming242) April 26, 2026
Kagiso Rabada continues his red-hot form in IPL 2026 🔥🏏
Another clinical spell, picking up 3 big wickets and keeping Chennai Super Kings in check 💪#CSKvGT #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/oCV7Vz0T1p
— Misran Ahmad 🏏Shahzadain 🇵🇰 (@MisranAhmad19) April 26, 2026
KAGISO RABADA DESTROYS CSK IN JUST 4 BALLS! 🥶
– Gets Sanju Samson: 21 (15)
– Gets Urvil Patel: 0 (1)KAGISO RABADA TOOK 2 WICKETS IN JUST 4 BALLS DURING HIS OPENING SPELL 🤯#CSKvsGT pic.twitter.com/3TSgrYTNwH
— Nafees (@Nafees_22) April 26, 2026
4-0-25-3 BY KAGISO RABADA..!!! 👌
Sensational spell by Rabada against Chennai Super Kings. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vmKZyUcfgS
— Danish (@BhttDNSH100) April 26, 2026
Kagiso Rabada with a brilliant spell 🔥
3/25 in 4 overs 🔥
Wickets:
• Sanju Samson
• Urvil Patel
• Kartik SharmaGame-changing performance 👑#CSKvsGTpic.twitter.com/qrcEYUDh6y
— Aman Sharma (@amancrick_news) April 26, 2026
Sir Sai Sudharsan when the topic is bashing CSK pic.twitter.com/b2DZm7q8TJ
— Parmar’ (@saisuszn) April 26, 2026
Sai Sudharsan when it comes to CSK pic.twitter.com/NuYXcwB1B8
— RDK 🐿️🇪🇸 (@Champ_VK18) April 26, 2026
A composed half-century from Sai Sudharsan against Chennai Super Kings tonight. @sais_1509 @gujarat_titans @IPL
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#saisudharsan #gtvscsk #ipl2026 pic.twitter.com/wJnkBl5aPS— Blades Of Glory Cricket Museum (@BladesOf_Glory) April 26, 2026
🔥 SAi SUDHARSAN – CSK’S BIG HEADACHE 😮🔥
– Sai Sudharsan keeps haunting Chennai Super Kings 😬
– fifty in IPL 2023
– century in IPL 2024
– Now fifty* in IPL 2026Same pattern, same dominance 💥
Consistent performer, constant threat 🥶#IPL pic.twitter.com/VdSZ9wTBTp— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) April 26, 2026
SAI SUDHARASAN – A certified nightmare for CSK! 🏟️🏏
96 (47) in IPL 2023 Final 🥈
103 (51) in IPL 2024 💯
64 (37) in IPL 2026 📈
Sai Sudharsan vs CSK is giving major KL Rahul vs RCB vibes. Just a local lad casually smashing the home team every single time pic.twitter.com/IBmzddDX9A
— Cricket Wisdom (@Cricketadd75277) April 26, 2026
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