Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs in the 23rd match of the Indian Premier League 2026. It was a dominant performance from the home side who have now won back to back games. CSK were batting first and got the perfect start from Sanju Samson. Ruturaj failed once again but Ayush Mhatre along with Samson took CSK to a good position. They did not get the desired finish but still ended with 193 at the end of the first innings. Chasing the target, KKR lost a few wickets early and were never really in the chase. The required rate kept climbing and Noor Ahmed was the star bowler for CSK picking up three wickets as CSK won the match comprehensively.
Akeal Hosein: It's finally good to see a good cricket wicket. There was something in it for everyone and not just a belter. So I think the spinners read the wicket, good enough and we just exploited what the wicket had to offer. Yeah, it was, as I said, there was something there for the spinners. So it was just about using natural variation, either you were going on seam or you were going on pace to get a couple deliveries to skid on. But the most important thing was about staying on the stumps and forcing them to hit against either the balls that are slow or balls that are skidding and staying a bit low. (talks about Noor Ahmed) Yes, very happy for him. In the last couple of games, he's been struggling and you know, we're all happy for him. He's been working really hard. So, you know, happy for him to come out today and get some success and get some confidence behind him. Yeah, I think cricket games, when you see teams score anywhere between 170 to 190, you know it's going to be a hell of a game rather than you turn up at the venue and you just see an absolute belter where guys are just hitting through the line. I thought today was a brilliant game of cricket. And it was a day that you had to work for what you want for. It's not a day that you can just turn up and, you know, close your eyes and do magical things. It was a day that you had to work for what you want.
Ajinkya Rahane | KKR captain:
"Absolutely. I thought with the ball, we did really good. 190 on this wicket was really good, especially the powerplay what they got, 70-odd runs. After that, pulling back to 190 was an amazing job from our bowling unit. I thought initially with our batting, we just got 36 or 37 runs in the powerplay. I thought that was really important. Middle phase, to hitting spinners was slightly challenging, but apart from that, wicket was really good. We needed one batter to bat until deep and then take it in the end. I think it's tough at the moment. Yes, we're not winning matches, it's tough. What is important for all of us as a group to stay positive, keep our head up, keep our chin up, just focus on the moment. Yes, we'll have to sit in the dressing room, think about the combinations. We'll have to make any changes. Sometimes you back the players, the results are going your way, then it's okay. But if the results are not going your way, then you'll have to think about the combination. But apart from that, I thought it's all about being positive and keep our heads up. (on Tyagi) I think all credit goes to him. I mean, he's working really hard in the nets. He's been bowling really good and a great talent. The pace which he's bowling at the moment has been amazing. So I'm really happy for him. Game by game, he's improving his skills. (on their spinners) Yeah, all three spinners. I mean, if you see from CSK spinners also, they bowled really well. It was not easy for batters to hit big sixes unless you bowled really full. It was easy. Otherwise, putting it back and then going across wasn't an easy option for the batters. So I thought from both the sides, spinners bowled really well. We just have to, as I said, keep that head up and just be positive and have that self-belief.
Read More: Ajinkya Rahane Captaincy Records
Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK captain:
Definitely feeling good, to be honest. I think again, we defended a good score. I felt it was a par score, given that, you know, the wicket drastically changed after the first, I would say, seven or eight overs. It started spinning a bit, it started stopping a bit. So, you know, we were first looking at 220, 210, but then, we thought anything around 190, 180 would be a good score and I think after that, we just had to get a good power play in bowling. After that, it was just about maintaining that run rate. (Talking about teams bowling) Yes, it was good. You know, slowly, slowly, it's starting to come together, I feel. Everyone kind of knows what their role is, which overs, what to bowl, and what lengths to bowl at. So I think they are adjusting and adapting really well according to what team needs. As I said, slowly, slowly, we are getting better and better. And that's a good sign for us. Yes, you know, we thought that, you know, since we wanted to kind of use Noor if we were short in padding, but we thought that, we had it covered and Akhil coming in the second innings, more of a power play bowler. But, Sunil Narine opening the batting, we thought, still it was gripping. So two right-handers in between, he can still get us good overs. So I feel he bowled really well, went under the radar, but I feel he bowled really well. Yes, I think we dropped everything that came, just took one or two, but still, I thought, I felt it was a bit okay. Today so a lot of sweat coming into the hands. Not an excuse, but definitely you would like to improve. As long as, there's energy behind every ball, there's intent and as I said, there's attitude behind it, we are fine, even if we drop a few. Well firstly, I think, good to be on the winning side after a long time. I felt it was getting into the head even when I was batting, but after the last game, felt a bit relaxed and it is, I feel I'm feeling really good. Just make sure that do whatever the team needs, whatever the situation needs. And I feel even mentally, I'm feeling really well, feeling positive, and just a big, a big knock is just around the corner, but as long as the other guys are just covering up for me definitely I'll do it when it's needed.
Read More: Ruturaj Gaikwad Captaincy Records
Noor Ahmed | Player of the match:
First of all, really happy to contribute for my team. Yeah, the dew was there, and it was humid, so just try to keep my fingers dry and yeah that helped me a lot to hit the right area. It was all about that. Yeah, really happy with the pitch. I think the ball was not coming really well to the bat and yeah to get advantage of that, it was a good. (Talks about confidence) Yeah, definitely it gives a lot of confidence. Yeah, I will keep putting lots of effort to contribute for my team in the coming matches. I think keep changing pace is best everywhere and every wicket and tonight, 90 above 90 is good.
Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to win a single game in this edition and their only point has been from a no result. It has been a disappointing campaign and the pressure is building on them. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings win back to back games at home and are looking a solid unit.
