Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Full Highlights | Full Scoreboard and Points Table

Chennai Super Kings made it back-to-back wins in IPL 2026, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by a convincing 32 runs in Match 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 14. For CSK, it is a season resurrection in real-time. For KKR, the misery deepens — they remain the only winless team in IPL 2026 after five matches, and the questions around Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy grow louder by the game.

The match had three stories woven together. First, a breathtaking 38 off 17 balls from teenage opener Ayush Mhatre, who announced himself to the Chepauk crowd with shot-making that drew comparisons to the greats who have graced this ground. Second, a composed 48 from Sanju Samson, the in-form CSK lynchpin who just keeps delivering. And third — and most decisively — Noor Ahmad, whose three wickets for 21 runs across a devastating middle-overs spell dismantled any hope KKR had of making this competitive.

The subplot — MS Dhoni’s absence again — loomed over the entire occasion. For the first time in 18 years of IPL history, Dhoni did not play in a CSK vs KKR match, having failed to clear his calf fitness test before the game.

Match Highlights — How It Unfolded

Toss: KKR won the toss and elected to bowl first — a decision that looked smart in theory given the dew advantage, but one that their bowling attack could not convert into control. Vaibhav Arora’s opening over was expensive, conceding 14 runs. The tone was set instantly.

CSK Powerplay (0–6 overs): Ayush Mhatre walked in at No. 3 after Samson opened and immediately put KKR to the sword. Four boundaries in the final over of the powerplay off Vaibhav Arora brought up CSK’s fifty inside six overs. When Mhatre was caught in the deep for 38 off 17 balls, CSK were 72/2 at the end of the powerplay — an explosive start by any metric.

Middle Overs — Samson and Brevis Take Control: Sanju Samson played the anchor role to perfection, scoring his 48 in 32 balls while Brevis provided aggression at the other end. Sunil Narine was KKR’s best bowler in this phase — four overs, one wicket, just 21 runs. Varun Chakravarthy was inconsistent, and Cameron Green was hit for 30 in two overs. CSK reached 142/3 at the end of 15 overs — well ahead of the par rate.

Death Overs: CSK fell slightly short of 200, finishing at 192/5. Kartik Tyagi’s double-wicket burst — removing Samson and later Brevis — deserves credit. But 193 is a significant target at Chepauk, and CSK’s spinners were primed to exploit any middle-over vulnerability.

KKR Chase Begins — Early Pressure: Finn Allen fell for 1 in the second over, caught at the boundary off Anshul Kamboj. Narine provided positive early intent with 24 off 17, but his dismissal caught by Hosein off Khaleel Ahmed in the fifth over reduced KKR to 29/2. Rahane (28) and Raghuvanshi (27) put on 50 runs for the third wicket to keep KKR in theoretical contention at 79/2 after ten overs — still needing 112 off 60 balls.

Noor Ahmad’s Match-Winning Spell: Then came the moment that decided the contest. Noor Ahmad bowled Rahane in the 11th over. The very next ball — a turning googly — bowled Cameron Green for a golden duck. 85/5 in 11 overs. The required run rate climbed past 17. KKR’s season reached a new low point.

Ramandeep and Powell — Too Little, Too Late: KKR’s lower order showed heart. Ramandeep Singh (35) and Rovman Powell (31 not out) shared 63 runs from the 13th over, injecting brief hope into what was a dead rubber from the 11th over onwards. KKR ended on 160/7 — a 32-run defeat that felt bigger than the margin.

Captain Reactions

Match Analysis

For CSK, this was a performance that showed genuine depth. They no longer rely solely on one player — against Delhi it was Samson’s 115, tonight it was the combination of Mhatre’s explosion, Samson’s anchor, Brevis’s contribution and then Noor Ahmad’s brilliance with the ball. This is what a balanced T20 team looks like. The question of MS Dhoni’s return adds another dimension — when he comes back, CSK’s middle order and death-overs options become even stronger.

For KKR, this defeat raises serious structural questions. They have now lost five matches in a row to open their IPL 2026 season — an unprecedented run for a three-time champion. The batting lineup, which looked so dangerous on paper, has been inconsistent and fragile against quality spin. Cameron Green’s golden duck was symptomatic of a team that cannot handle pressure situations. Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy has come under intense scrutiny, and changes — both tactical and personnel — are inevitable if KKR are to save their season.

The form of Noor Ahmad is perhaps the most underrated story of IPL 2026 so far. The teenage Afghan spinner has delivered when CSK needed him most in back-to-back games. His googly is exceptional, his flight is deceptive, and his temperament is remarkable for his age. If he keeps bowling like this, CSK have found a genuine match-winner in their XI.