The Chennai Super Kings achieved an eight-wicket victory to complete the double over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in Match 44 of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 02.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, MI were dented early as Anshul Kamboj got rid of Will Jacks early, with Ramakrishna Ghosh taking a stunning catch. Ryan Rickelton and Naman Dhir stitched a 58-run stand off 33 balls, repairing the MI innings, but the opener fell for 37 to the bowling of Noor Ahmad. Naman Dhir scored 57 off 37 balls to hold the Mumbai Indians' innings together. They were never able to get their innings going, finishing at a score of 159/7. Kamboj finished with figures of 3/32 in the match.

In response, the Super Kings were also dented early with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Sanju Samson in the second over of the game. Ruturaj Gaikwad blazed along at the other end, along with Urvil Patel, who scored a quickfire 24 off 12 balls before falling to AM Ghazanfar. Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma stitched an unbeaten 98-run stand off 75 balls to lead the Super Kings home with 11 balls to spare. Gaikwad finished unbeaten on 67 off 48 balls, while Kartik finished unbeaten on 54 off 40 balls, his maiden half-century of the season.

Talking points: 1. Ruturaj maintains his brilliant form

Ruturaj Gaikwad followed up his 60-ball 74 from the last game against the Gujarat Titans with a sublime knock against the Mumbai Indians, scoring an unbeaten 67 off 48 balls. The Super Kings skipper took the attack to the Mumbai bowlers after the fall of Sanju Samson and ensured he was there at the end when his team got over the line. It was a knock of class, a common theme of Ruturaj's best knocks, laced with five fours and two big sixes.

2. Kartik Sharma notches up first significant IPL milestone

After being picked up in the 2026 Auction for a whopping INR 14.2 crore, Kartik Sharma started the season slowly. But against the Mumbai Indians, he was there till the end, with an unbeaten 54 off 40 balls. His innings came at a time when the Super Kings needed a platform after losing two wickets. He picked his matchups carefully, and with four fours and three sixes, he showed glimpses of the talent that forced the Super Kings' hand at the auction table.

3. Is MI's batting form a concern?

Suryakumar Yadav scored a 12-ball 21, Tilak Verma was able to manage a single-digit score, and Hardik Pandya scored a lethargic 18 off 23 balls. The Mumbai Indians' star batters have yet to have a significant impact this season. Barring Tilak's sublime century against the Titans and Suryakumar's early half-century against the Delhi Capitals, the trio have not got going this season, and the Mumbai Indians have struggled with the bat subsequently. 

4. Mumbai Indians out of IPL 2026?

With just two wins in nine matches, MI find themselves virtually out of contention for the playoffs. It is impossible for them to reach the 16-point mark, which would guarantee them qualification. While they can qualify with 14 points, it would require a herculean effort to boost the net run rate and other results to go in their favour. 

Who Said What? Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians captain:

"Not the season. They played better, they bowled better, batted better and fielded better. At one point, we were looking to get 180-190. We could not get the momentum post the first 10 overs and we could not get the finish either. It was not easy to go and play your shots straightaway. It was more about playing calculative cricket.

"The batters could not get under the ball. They bowled better and our batting not up to the mark. I don't know what aggressive we could have been. We would have had to throw fireballs at them. Whatever bowling options we had, we tried. They played smart cricket."

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings captain & Player of the Match

"(On the win) Feels good. We started really well, first couple of overs, they got a momentum after that and we pulled it back. It was about getting through the first couple of overs and then it was about one of the top three staying there. He (Kamboj) is someone who is keeping it really simple, sticking to the process and his mind is thinking like a batters mind. Noor has made some adjustments and come along really well. 

"(On not playing Akeal) We thought about how to get the balance right, how to get a batter at eight and the extra bowler. Veer and Ghosh are someone who can contribute with both, they give extra cushion in the batting and bowl a couple of overs as well. Feels good to be there till the end. As I always saying, I was feeling well, feeling confident, but it is T20 cricket. I have been in a good frame of mind and it was only a matter of time.

"(About Kartik Sharma) Good confidence booster for him and us as well. Yes, he is a six-hitter but he has the other game as well, but he picks and choses particular deliveries. Great sign for us as Mr. Cricket said he is someone who if he gets going then can be great for us. We are keeping it really simple, mistakes are going to happen but have to make sure we come back strong, give everything for the jersey and the fans."