Kamboj's 3-32, Ahmad's 2-26 restrict MI to 159/7 in IPL clash at Chepauk
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chennai Super Kings delivered a disciplined bowling masterclass on Saturday, May 2, restricting Mumbai Indians to 159/7 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in IPL 2026. Pace bowler Anshul Kamboj took 3 for 32 while legspinner Noor Ahmad claimed 2 for 26, combining to dismantle MI's middle and lower order after a promising start.
MI's brisk opening, then collapse
Mumbai Indians raced to 90/2 by the 10-over mark, but faltered dramatically in the final ten overs, conceding just 69 runs for 5 wickets. The two-paced pitch at Chepauk favoured disciplined bowling, and CSK's pace unit exploited hard lengths and yorkers to good effect. Naman Dhir top-scored with 57 off 37 balls, but struggled for timing in the latter half alongside Hardik Pandya, whose stroke-making deserted him under pressure.
Early breakthroughs set the tone
CSK struck early when Anshul Kamboj removed Will Jacks in the second over. Ryan Rickelton counter-attacked with a brisk 37, featuring five boundaries, before Noor Ahmad dismissed him in the seventh over. Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings briefly, but debutant Ramakrishna Ghosh broke the partnership by bowling Suryakumar for 21.
The middle-order meltdown
Tilak Varma's scratchy stay ended on 5 against Noor Ahmad, while Naman Dhir's otherwise solid knock was cut short by Jamie Overton's sharp off-cutter, miscued to extra cover. Anshul Kamboj then removed Hardik Pandya and Robin Minz in successive overs to complete his three-wicket haul and seal MI's underwhelming total.
Late resistance proves futile
Trent Boult struck a six late in the innings, but it proved insufficient as CSK's bowling unit maintained discipline throughout. Despite MI's explosive start, their inability to accelerate in the back half of the innings left them with a total that appeared well below par given their position at the halfway mark.
Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 159/7 in 20 overs (Naman Dhir 57, Ryan Rickelton 37; Anshul Kamboj 3-32, Noor Ahmad 2-26) vs Chennai Super Kings