IPL 2026: Siraj, Rabada, Rashid take 3 each as GT thrash CSK by 89 runs, seal top-two finish
Synopsis
CSK's IPL 2026 campaign is over. Gujarat Titans dismantled the five-time champions by 89 runs at Ahmedabad, with Siraj, Rabada, and Rashid each bagging three wickets to skittle CSK for 140. GT now head into the playoffs with a top-two cushion and the prospect of a home final on 31 May.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 21 May 2026 .
Mohammed Siraj (3-26) , Kagiso Rabada (3-32) , and Rashid Khan (3-18) each took three wickets to dismiss CSK for 140 all out in 13.4 overs .
Sai Sudharsan (84) and Shubman Gill (64) led GT to 229/4 in 20 overs.
Shivam Dube's 17-ball 47 was the lone bright spot for CSK in an otherwise one-sided chase.
GT have secured a top-two finish in IPL 2026, earning two playoff chances and a potential home final on 31 May .
CSK have been eliminated from IPL 2026, ending the five-time champions' title bid.
Gujarat Titans (GT) crushed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 89 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, 21 May, sealing a top-two finish in the IPL 2026 points table and eliminating the five-time champions from playoff contention. Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan claimed three wickets apiece to skittle CSK for just 140 all out in 13.4 overs, chasing down a target of 230.
GT's Dominant Batting Display
Half-centuries from B. Sai Sudharsan (84), Shubman Gill (64), and Jos Buttler powered GT to an imposing 229/4 in 20 overs. The total set the tone for what became a comprehensive team performance, with the bowlers then delivering one of the most clinical dismissals of the IPL 2026 season.
CSK's Chase Collapses from the First Ball
CSK's reply unravelled from the very first delivery. Sanju Samson edged Siraj behind to Buttler off ball one, and Ruturaj Gaikwad — who briefly countered with a four and two sixes — was bowled by Siraj for 16 in the second over. Urvil Patel followed for a two-ball duck, caught at deep square leg, leaving CSK reeling at 31/3.
Matthew Short injected brief momentum with a brisk 24 before Rabada removed him in the fifth over. A direct-hit run-out from Gill then sent Kartik Sharma back for 19, and at 63/5, CSK were staring at a sub-100 total.
Dube's Fightback Falls Short
Shivam Dube launched a spirited counterattack, smashing four fours and four sixes in a 17-ball 47 to temporarily revive CSK's hopes. However, Rashid Khan's introduction ended the resistance — Dube miscued a lofted shot and Gill completed a stunning diving catch at extra cover.
Rashid then accounted for Anshul Kamboj (19) and Dewald Brevis (8), while Rabada wrapped up the tail by dismissing Noor Ahmad and Spencer Johnson, ending CSK's innings in the 14th over.
What the Result Means
The victory confirms GT's place in the top two of the IPL 2026 standings, granting them the crucial advantage of two bites at the cherry in the playoffs. Notably, it also means they will have the opportunity to play the final at their home ground — the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — on 31 May, should they advance. For CSK, the defeat ends their campaign, denying them a shot at a sixth IPL title. This is a significant blow to a franchise that has historically been one of the most consistent playoff performers in the tournament's history.
Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 229/4 in 20 overs (B. Sai Sudharsan 84, Shubman Gill 64; Mukesh Choudhary 1-36, Spencer Johnson 1-47) beat Chennai Super Kings 140 all out in 13.4 overs (Shivam Dube 47, Matthew Short 24; Mohammed Siraj 3-26, Kagiso Rabada 3-32, Rashid Khan 3-18) by 89 runs.
Point of View
Underlining a bowling attack that opposing batters have found no reliable answer to. For CSK, the elimination raises harder questions: the franchise has leaned heavily on experience and familiarity, but this campaign exposed vulnerabilities at the top of the order that a single counterattacking innings from Dube could not paper over. With the home final now a realistic prospect for GT, Ahmedabad could yet witness a coronation — but the real test of this squad's credentials begins in the knockouts, where margins for error vanish entirely.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the GT vs CSK IPL 2026 match on 21 May?
Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 21 May 2026. GT posted 229/4 and bowled CSK out for 140 in 13.4 overs.
Who were the top wicket-takers for GT against CSK?
Mohammed Siraj (3-26), Kagiso Rabada (3-32), and Rashid Khan (3-18) each claimed three wickets, sharing the bowling honours equally in GT's dominant win.
Has CSK been eliminated from IPL 2026?
Yes, CSK have been officially eliminated from IPL 2026 following their 89-run defeat to Gujarat Titans on 21 May. The five-time champions will not feature in the playoffs this season.
What does the top-two finish mean for Gujarat Titans?
A top-two finish gives GT two chances to reach the IPL 2026 final — they enter the playoffs via Qualifier 1, and if they lose that, they get another shot through Qualifier 2. It also means they could play the final at their home ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on 31 May.
Who were the top scorers for GT in their innings of 229/4?
B. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 84, while Shubman Gill contributed 64. Jos Buttler also reached a half-century as GT posted a commanding total in 20 overs.
