IPL 2026: CSK vs MI Highlights, Match 44 - Stats, Player of the Match & More

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once again exerted their dominance on the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), beating them for the second time this season by 8 wickets on Saturday, May 2, at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After opting to bat first, MI were restricted to 159/7 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a half-century from Naman Dhir.

In reply, CSK chased down the target in 18.1 overs with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the way with a splendid half-century, while Kartik Sharma (54* off 40) also contributed with his maiden IPL fifty.

Earlier in the day, MI lost Will Jacks (1 off 5) cheaply as Naman Dhir (57 off 37) and Ryan Rickelton (37 off 24) stabilised the innings with a 58-run stand off 32 balls for the second wicket. After Rickelton fell prey to Noor Ahmad (2/26), Suryakumar Yadav (21 off 12) again failed to convert his start. 

Following his dismissal, MI completely lost their way in the second half of the innings and had to settle for a below-par score of 159/7.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Ruturaj Gaikwad was adjudged Player of the Match for his magnificent half-century. He scored his second successive fifty, playing an innings of 67* (48) with the help of five fours and two sixes.

Turning Point

MI were cruising till the 11^th over of the innings, being 99/2 after 10.3 overs and had set their eyes on a score in excess of 200. However, some brilliant bowling from Chennai Super Kings put a stranglehold on their batting as MI could only score 60 runs from the last 57 balls, losing five wickets. The quiet period eventually became the difference between the two teams as Mumbai had to settle for a low score.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings):

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.

Losing Captain, Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians):

Not the season, I feel, not just the night. Yeah, they played better, they bowled better, they fielded better, and they batted better. (180 par for this track?) Yeah, I think at one point of time, we were looking to get around 180, 190. Should have been a good total, but yeah, we could not get the momentum post 10 overs, could not get the finish as well. (reason for not getting 180?) I mean, yeah, it was not easy to go straightaway and kind of play shots, which even their batters, after getting set, they could not really take on the bowlers. It was more about playing calculative cricket and, making sure that we have the right wickets in hand. At the same point of time, batters could not get under the ball, they bowled better. And yeah, just overall as a bowling unit, they were better and as a batting unit, we were not. (should you have been more aggressive with the ball?) I don't know what aggressive we would have been. I think we would have had to throw some fireballs to get them out. But yeah, it was, the bowling option which we had, we went with it and they just played smart cricket. And yeah, they were better.