IPL 2026: CSK vs KKR Highlights, Match 22 - Stats, Player of the Match & More

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) search for their first victory of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) continued as they were hammered by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 32 runs in Match 22 on Tuesday, April 14, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. After being put in to bat first, CSK posted a good score of 192/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of splendid knocks from Sanju Samson and Dewald Brevis (41 off 29).

In reply, KKR were restricted to 160/7 in their 20 overs, with CSK bowlers putting up another clinical bowling performance at home. Earlier, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s (7 off 6) horrendous form continued, who holed out at mid-wicket against Anukul Roy. With the captain back in the hut, Ayush Mhatre (38 off 17) once again arrived in top gear, taking down KKR bowlers right from the word go.

He stitched a valuable 47-run stand off 22 balls with Sanju Samson. As Vaibhav Arora got rid of Mhatre, Dewald Brevis walked in at number four and continued to build a partnership with Samson. The duo added 39 runs (32 balls), before Samson lost his stumps against Kartik Tyagi (2/35) and missed out on his half-century. 

Sarfaraz Khan (23 off 18) walked in next and gave good support to Brevis, adding 51 runs off just 29 balls to bring CSK in the driver’s seat. In the end, some tight death bowling from KKR, didn’t allow CSK to cross 200-run mark.

In the second innings, KKR’s batting woes continued as Finn Allen’s (1 off 3) once again failed to fire. His new opening partner, Sunil Narine (24 off 17) played some shots but was quickly removed by Khaleel Ahmed. With his team in desperate need of a captain’s knock, Ajinkya Rahane stitched a 50-run stand off 31 balls with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (27 off 19).

The duo was sent back into the hut by the spin-wizardry of Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, respectively. Following their dismissals, KKR collapsed to 90/6 after 12.5 overs. A belated effort from Rovman Powell (31* off 22) and Ramandeep Singh (35 off 23), who added 63 runs off 40 balls for the seventh wicket, could only help reduce the defeat margin for their side.

Meanwhile, following another crushing defeat, KKR continued to reel at the bottom position (tenth) with just one point from five matches, while CSK rose to eighth spot with four points from five matches. 

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Noor Ahmad was adjudged Player of the Match for his game-changing spell of 3/21 in four overs. He first dismissed the KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane, to end his crucial stand with Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The left-arm spinner further got rid of Cameron Green (0 off 1) and Rinku Singh (6 off 12) to break the back of KKR's batting and set up a comfortable win for his side. His spell also became the turning point of the match.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings):

Feeling good. Defended a good score. Felt it was a par score, given wicket changed drastically after the first 7-8 overs. It started spinning and gripping. We were looking for 200-210 initially but then thought anything above 180 would be a good score. (On the bowling) It was good. Slowly, it is coming together. Everyone knows what their role is. What lengths to bowl. Adjusting and adapting really well. We wanted to use Veer if we were short in batting but thought we had it covered. (On Akeal) More of a powerplay bowler but Sunil was batting. He bowled really well. (On CSK's catching) We dropped everything, just took one or two. Felt it was a bit humid. Lot of sweat coming into the hands. Not an excuse. We want to improve. As long as there is energy, intent and attitude behind every ball, we will be good. (On his form) Good to be on the winning side after a long time. Felt it was getting into my head even when batting. Feeling really good, just wanting to make sure to do what the team needs. Mentally, feeling positive. A big knock is just round the corner. Definitely I will do it when it is needed.

Losing Captain, Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders):

No real momentum with the bat. Absolutely. I thought with the ball, we retreated really good. 190 on this wicket was really good, especially the powerplay what they got, 70 odd runs. After that, pulling back to 190 was an amazing job from our bowling unit. I thought initially with our batting, we just got 36 or 37 runs in the powerplay. I thought that was really important. Middle phase, to hitting spinners was slightly challenging, but apart from that, wicket was really good. We needed one batter to bat until deep and then take it in the end. I think it's tough at the moment. Yes, we're not winning matches, it's tough. What is important for all of us as a group to stay positive, keep our head up, keep our chin up, just focus on the moment. Yes, we'll have to sit in the dressing room, think about the combinations. We'll have to make any changes. Sometimes you bat with the players, the results are going your way, then it's okay. But if the results are not going your way, then you'll have to think about the combination. But apart from that, I thought it's all about being positive and keep our heads up. (on Tyagi) I think all credit goes to him. I mean, he's working really hard in the nets. He's been bowling really good and a great talent. The pace which he's bowling at the moment has been amazing. So I'm really happy for him. Game by game, he's improving his skills. And also your spinners today. I think they came to the party. Much better performance from all three. Yeah, all three spinners. I mean, if you see from CSK spinners also, they bowled really well. It was not easy for batters to hit big sixes unless you bowled really full. It was easy. Otherwise, putting it back and then going across wasn't an easy option for the batters. So I thought from both the sides, spinners bowled really well. We just have to, as I said, keep that head up and just be positive and have that self-belief.