Writing: Evan Mobley needs a huge Game 7 to get the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2nd round
Evan Mobley must deliver in Game 7 to push Cavaliers to the next round.
Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in IPL 2026, moving to sixth place in the points table. CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 67 not out, while MI's struggles continue with only four points from nine matches.
NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings returned to winning ways with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday in IPL 2026.
Chasing 160, CSK reached the target in just 18.1 overs riding on skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 67 and Kartik Sharma’s fluent 54 not out.
The victory helped CSK move up to sixth spot in the IPL 2026 points table with eight points from nine matches, overtaking Gujarat Titans on net run rate. Chennai also improved their NRR to +0.005 and strengthened their playoff hopes heading into the second half of the league stage.
Mumbai Indians’ struggles, meanwhile, continued as they slumped to their seventh defeat in nine games. MI remain ninth in the standings with just four points and their NRR dropped further to -0.803, leaving the five-time champions staring at an early exit unless they produce a dramatic turnaround.
Earlier, MI posted a below-par 159 for 7 despite Naman Dhir’s fighting 57 off 37 balls. Ryan Rickelton chipped in with 37, but Chennai’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Noor Ahmad picked up two wickets while Anshul Kamboj impressed with figures of 3/32.
In reply, CSK lost Sanju Samson early but Urvil Patel’s quickfire 24 gave momentum to the chase before Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma stitched together an unbeaten 98-run stand to seal the game with 11 balls remaining.
Punjab Kings continue to lead the IPL 2026 standings with 13 points from eight matches, followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who both have 12 points. Rajasthan Royals remain fourth despite Friday’s defeat to Delhi Capitals.
Delhi Capitals slipped back to sixth after CSK’s win, while Kolkata Knight Riders are eighth with five points. Lucknow Super Giants remain bottom of the table with four points and the worst NRR in the competition.
After Match 44, Chennai Super Kings are in sixth place with eight points, while Mumbai Indians are ninth with four points.
Ruturaj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 67 runs, and Kartik Sharma contributed 54 not out for CSK in their victory over MI.
CSK has strengthened their playoff hopes with this win, while MI faces an uphill battle for qualification after their seventh loss.
Evan Mobley must deliver in Game 7 to push Cavaliers to the next round.
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| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 13 | +1.043 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12 | +1.420 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12 | +0.832 |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 12 | +0.510 |
| 5 | Gujarat Titans | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -0.192 |
| 6 | Chennai Super Kings | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | +0.005 |
| 7 | Delhi Capitals | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | -0.895 |
| 8 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | -0.751 |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | -0.803 |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.106 |