IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan shines as SRH qualify for playoffs after beating CSK by five wickets

NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Hyderabad booked their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs after beating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets at Chepauk on Monday.Chasing 181 on a slow surface, SRH got home comfortably in 19 overs thanks to a brilliant partnership between Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen.Kishan led the chase with a classy 70 off 47 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes, while Klaasen added a quick 47 from just 26 deliveries.Their 75-run stand completely shifted momentum after SRH made a cautious start and lost Travis Head early.Abhishek Sharma also struggled for timing before Klaasen’s aggressive approach helped SRH dominate the middle overs.Earlier, SRH skipper Pat Cummins produced another impressive spell with the ball, taking 3/28 and picking up wickets at key moments. Chennai started strongly through Sanju Samson, who attacked from the first over and smashed boundaries freely before Cummins dismissed him with a sharp delivery.Young batters Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma played useful cameos, while Dewald Brevis finally found form with an entertaining 44. Shivam Dube also chipped in with 26 as CSK managed to reach 180/7.Cummins, however, kept breaking partnerships and never allowed Chennai to fully take control. He removed Kartik Sharma with a slower delivery and later dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad, who struggled badly for rhythm during his 15-run knock off 21 balls.The victory took SRH to 16 points and confirmed their playoff spot alongside Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.CSK, meanwhile, remain on 12 points from 13 matches and still have a slim mathematical chance of reaching the knockouts heading into their final league game.