Chennai Super Kings hammered Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs to register their second win of IPL 2026, with Noor Ahmad starring with a three-wicket spell. CSK put up 192/5 after being asked to bat first at home. The total looked competitive. It proved more than enough. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad had another quiet outing, falling for 7 in the third over. But, the early wicket definitely did not slow things down. Sanju Samson took charge. The Kerala star found gaps, picked lengths early and kept the scoreboard ticking. The Wicketkeeper-Batter made 48 at the top, continuing his consistent run in the tournament.

 

Apart from that, Ayush Mhatre added touch. The 18 year old batsman from Mumbai struck cleanly during his brief stay as he and Samson stitched together a 47-run stand in just 22 balls. Vaibhav Arora broke the partnership, but CSK had already seized control.

 

Another useful stand followed. Samson and Dewald Brevis added 39 runs, keeping KKR under pressure through the middle overs. Once Samson departed, Sarfaraz Khan chipped in with a quick 23, including a four and a six.

 

Lastly, Shivam Dube and Brevis finished strongly. The pair went after the bowlers in the death overs. KKR bowlers, led by Kartik Tyagi, pulled things back slightly in the final three overs, but CSK still finished with 192/5.

Noor Ahmad Breaks KKR In Middle Overs

KKR’s chase never quite settled. Finn Allen, who was used as Impact Sub, fell early. Sunil Narine followed soon after in the Powerplay. The early damage put Ajinkya Rahane’s side on the back foot.

 

On the other hand, the real collapse came later. Between the 10th and 13th overs, KKR lost five wickets. That phase ended the contest.

 

Noor Ahmad led the charge, the mystery spinner from Afghanistan picked up 3 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs. He removed key batters in quick succession, breaking the middle order completely. Rinku Singh and Australian star Cameron Green both fell during this phase, unable to counter the spin.

 

CSK’s Indian bowling unit supported well. The pacers kept things tight around Noor’s spell, ensuring there was no way back for KKR. Bluntly put, the match was decided in those middle overs.

 

As for the chase, Rovman Powell and Ramandeep Singh tried to delay the inevitable. They added some late runs and reduced the margin of defeat. It did not change the outcome.

 

KKR finished on 160/7, falling short by 32 runs. Noor Ahmad was named Player of the Match for his brilliant spell of 3/21.

 

Coming to the points table now, CSK have now played five matches this season without MS Dhoni in the XI and the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team has won two and lost three, collecting 4 points so far. The net run rate stands at -0.846, leaving them with work to do in the coming games.

 

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan's KKR’s struggles continue. They remain at the bottom of the table with no wins in five matches. Four defeats and one no result have left them with just 1 point and a net run rate of -1.383. Head coach Abhishek Nayar and KKR definitely need answers quickly.