Kartik Sharma's cameo of 32 off just 19 deliveries and Dewald Brevis' blistering 44 from 27 balls powered Chennai Super Kings to a competitive 180/7 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 63 of IPL 2026 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.
Facing a must-win situation to stay alive in the playoff race, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bat first. He said MS Dhoni "is not fit enough to play," at the toss.
Chennai got off to a flying start courtesy of Sanju Samson, who smashed 27 off only 13 balls with his trademark attacking strokeplay. However, SRH captain Pat Cummins struck early, inducing an outside edge that was safely collected by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan behind the stumps.
Urvil Patel failed to make an impact as Sunrisers debutant Sakib Hussain outfoxed him with a clever slower delivery that rattled the stumps, ending his brief stay for 13 off 8 balls.
With CSK wobbling, Kartik Sharma launched a timely counterattack. The youngster injected momentum into the innings with three boundaries and a six, while Gaikwad struggled to accelerate at the other end, managing a subdued 15 off 21 deliveries.
The intent was crystal clear from ball one ⚡
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 18, 2026
A blazing cameo from the Gen-next star Kartik Sharma gave #CSK the much-needed ignition!????????#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 ???? #CSKvSRH | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/1MHhpANXCI pic.twitter.com/SFsZ3ghWkB
Cummins once again turned the tide in SRH's favour by removing both Kartik and Gaikwad in quick succession, leaving Chennai in a tricky position at 100/4.
It was then that Dewald Brevis took charge of the innings. The South African batter unleashed a fierce assault on the SRH bowlers, hammering two fours and four towering sixes to shift momentum back towards the hosts during the middle overs. Brevis looked destined for a half-century before Eshan Malinga produced a sharp delivery to dismiss him for 44, just six runs short of the milestone.
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Shivam Dube chipped in with a steady 26 off 23 balls, while Prashant Veer added a useful 11 from just nine deliveries late in the innings to ensure the five-time champions posted a respectable total on the board.
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