SRH must beat CSK on May 18 to stay in top-two contention: Kaif
Synopsis
SRH's 82-run hammering by GT has left them fighting for a top-two finish. Kaif's verdict is clear: win in Chennai or watch playoff hopes fade. With CSK in form and conditions unfamiliar, SRH's last six days before the May 18 clash will define their season.
Key Takeaways
SRH suffered an 82-run defeat to GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 13 .
Mohammad Kaif says SRH must beat CSK on May 18 to remain in top-two contention.
SRH were bowled out for just 86 in 14.5 overs ; GT scored 168 in 20 overs .
SRH have dropped to third position with 14 points from 12 matches .
Kaif flagged SRH's poor adaptation to different playing conditions as a key concern.
SRH finish their group stage at home against Punjab Kings on May 22 .
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has warned that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) face an uphill battle to secure a top-two playoff finish after their 82-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, May 13. The loss has left SRH scrambling with just two matches remaining in the group stage.
The road ahead for SRH
Kaif stressed that SRH must defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their next fixture on May 18 if they harbour ambitions of finishing in the top two. However, he cautioned that playing away from home against CSK — a side currently performing well — will test SRH's adaptability to unfamiliar conditions. "CSK away from home will be a tough test for SRH. Adapting to different conditions is key in this tournament, and SRH failed to do that against Gujarat," Kaif told Jio Hotstar.
Conditions and execution
The former Indian batsman highlighted that SRH's inability to adjust to the surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium proved costly against GT. He noted that while SRH finish their group-stage campaign at home against Punjab Kings on May 22 — where they are comfortable — the CSK clash in Chennai is the pivotal encounter. "They finish at home against Punjab, where they are comfortable and know the conditions. But if they want to push for a top-two finish, they need to win away against Chennai," he added.
How the match unfolded
Electing to bat first, GT found themselves in early trouble at 64-3 in 9.3 overs. A 60-run partnership between Sundar and Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings, allowing GT to post 168 in 20 overs on a challenging pitch. In response, SRH's batting collapsed spectacularly, bowled out for just 86 in 14.5 overs as GT's pace attack exploited the conditions ruthlessly before spinners completed the demolition.
Points table standings
Following the defeat, SRH have slipped to third position in the standings with 14 points from 12 matches. With CSK in strong form and the defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) awaiting in SRH's final group-stage encounter on May 22, the 2016 IPL champions face a demanding closing stretch. A loss to CSK would leave them heavily dependent on other results to salvage a top-two finish.
Point of View
Not just skill. The 2016 champions have talent, but if they cannot decode unfamiliar conditions in a six-day turnaround, they will deserve to miss the top two. This is less about luck and more about execution.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mohammad Kaif believe SRH must beat CSK?
SRH are currently in third position with 14 points from 12 matches. Kaif argues that a loss to CSK would make a top-two finish extremely difficult, leaving SRH dependent on other results. A win in Chennai keeps their playoff hopes alive.
What went wrong for SRH against Gujarat Titans?
SRH were bowled out for just 86 in 14.5 overs while chasing GT's 168. GT's pace attack exploited the Narendra Modi Stadium surface brilliantly, and SRH failed to adapt to the challenging conditions, according to Kaif.
When is SRH's next match against CSK?
SRH will face CSK on May 18, followed by their final group-stage match against RCB on May 22 at home against Punjab Kings.
What did Kaif say about playing away from home?
Kaif emphasized that adapting to different conditions is critical in the IPL. He noted that SRH struggled to adjust at the Narendra Modi Stadium and will face a similar test in Chennai, where CSK have home advantage.
