Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) sealed their place in the playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a clinical five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 63 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a competitive target of 181, SRH produced a composed batting display to reach 181/5 in 19 overs and keep their campaign alive in style.

After winning the toss, Chennai Super Kings opted to bat first and posted 180/7 in their 20 overs. Despite a few useful contributions throughout the innings, CSK could not fully capitalize during the death overs as Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers made a strong comeback led by skipper Pat Cummins.

Dewald Brevis and Kartik Sharma rescue CSK after shaky start

CSK began aggressively with Sanju Samson taking on the bowlers right from the outset. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 27 off just 13 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six, giving the hosts early momentum. However, SRH struck back quickly as Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled to accelerate and departed for a slow-paced 15 off 21 balls.

Youngster Urvil Patel entertained briefly with two sixes in his eight-ball 13 before losing his wicket at a crucial stage. Chennai then found stability through Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis. Kartik played an attacking knock of 32 from 19 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes to keep the scoreboard moving.

Brevis once again showcased his explosive batting ability with a well-crafted 44 off 27 balls. The South African batter struck four massive sixes and two boundaries, helping CSK regain control during the middle overs. Shivam Dube also chipped in with 26 runs, but the hosts lost wickets regularly in the final phase and could only reach 180/7.

For SRH, Cummins delivered an outstanding spell, finishing with figures of 3/28 in four overs. Sakib Hussain picked up two wickets, while Eshan Malinga and Praful Hinge claimed one wicket each.

Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen dominate the chase

Sunrisers Hyderabad started positively in the chase with Abhishek Sharma scoring a brisk 26 off 21 balls. However, Mukesh Choudhary produced a stunning moment in the fielding department as Travis Head fell cheaply for six runs.

The innings truly gained momentum when Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen joined forces. Kishan played one of his finest knocks of the season, anchoring the chase brilliantly with 70 runs off 47 balls. His innings included seven boundaries and three sixes, and he handled both pace and spin with confidence.

Klaasen provided the perfect support with an aggressive 47 off just 26 deliveries. The South African star smashed six fours and two sixes, putting immense pressure on the CSK bowlers during the middle overs. Their partnership shifted the game firmly in SRH’s favour and silenced the Chepauk crowd.

Even though CSK managed to pick up a few late wickets through Choudhary, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, SRH remained calm. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora finished the chase comfortably as Hyderabad reached the target with six balls to spare. The victory marked a significant moment in SRH’s IPL 2026 campaign as they officially secured qualification for the playoffs. Their batting unit stepped up under pressure, while the bowlers did well to restrict CSK below the 200-run mark on a batting-friendly surface.

Also WATCH: Mukesh Choudhary dismisses Travis Head with stunning caught-and-bowled effort in CSK vs SRH clash

Here’s how fans reacted:

Certainly SRH played their best cricket on this pitch.

Ishan Kishan & Heinrich Klassen’s partnership took the game away from CSK.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 18, 2026

well played ishan kishan🧡 pic.twitter.com/HCTCdGt4VI

— ferrari (@therevanthtweet) May 18, 2026

What a run chase by Ishan Kishan for Sunrisers Hyderabad against CSK. 😭🔥

This wasn’t just a win, SRH almost pushed CSK completely out of the playoff race tonight.

A lot of people were writing SRH off this season, but today they reminded everyone that they’re still capable of… pic.twitter.com/Asc47Chrjq

— Captain Rohit Sharma Fan (@TheCaptainR45) May 18, 2026

We always knew he had the talent, but today Ishan Kishan showed pure maturity. Absorbed the pressure against CSK, picked his moments and played the situation perfectly.

Well played Ishan Kishan Pandey 🔥🔥#CSKvsSRHpic.twitter.com/ln2K04pXf2

— Akul (𝑨𝑻10) (@Loyalsachfan10) May 18, 2026

Well Played Dewald Brevis 👏🙌💛
Important Runs From Brevis 44(27) 😍#CSKvSRH #WhistlePodu #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/zPyGk4kyhX

— 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡  (@theashishsingh7) May 18, 2026

WELL PLAYED, DEWALD BREVIS. 👏

– Dewald Brevis scored valuable runs for CSK, he smashed 44 runs from 27 balls including 2 fours and 4 sixes. pic.twitter.com/5dwYEcezRd

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 18, 2026

Dewald Brevis dismissed for – 44 off 27 balls.

– Great knock from Brevis on slow surface!🔥 pic.twitter.com/bub8YZwVG7

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 18, 2026

This is magical from Sanju Samson 🔥🔥🔥

What a stunning stumping, and it’s still keeping our hopes alive 💛 pic.twitter.com/TAeFembCh9

— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) May 18, 2026

Brilliant stumping by Sanju Samson and a crucial wicket for CSK against the run of play. pic.twitter.com/LfQRi4TSeA

— Fine Leg Logic (@fineleglogic86) May 18, 2026

Sanju Samson just paid a tribute to Dhoni. Poetic

— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 18, 2026

What a stumping by Sanju samson just like MS Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/PlCuntPdD7

— 𝗥𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻⁰⁷ (@rohanXmsd) May 18, 2026

THE CHEPAUK STUMPING HERITAGE IS IN SAFE HANDS! 💛🔥

– MS Dhoni to Sanju Samson 👑🫡 pic.twitter.com/EMPzUfFGBv

— Shariq (@CricBhakt7380) May 18, 2026

Well played Ishan Kishan, a superb knock of 70 (47) 🔥

Delhi Capitals live to fight another day in this tournament ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oTmj8FGGLl

— 𝐕♛ (@DelhiKaKing18) May 18, 2026

Ishan Kishan is the only batsman among these youngsters who can perform on any kind of pitch.

That T20 Worldcup knock against Pakistan was the biggest example.pic.twitter.com/squrdK2rzI

— 𝚅𝚊𝚛𝚞𝚗¹⁸ (@varunx18) May 18, 2026

This comeback of Ishan kishan will be remembered for ages 🫡🔥pic.twitter.com/CWRQ5rAqQS

— PRATHAM_18 (@Uncle_kohli) May 18, 2026

Absolute scenes from ishan kishan after the game…. Shooing away cheesk fans 🙂 Inject it into my veins 💉🧡

— Draft Monk (@Vicky_Rizzman) May 18, 2026

#SRHvsCSK Ishan Kishan on high 🔥🔥🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

— Rudhra Babu 🦁🔱 (@reigningmb1) May 18, 2026

Ishan Kishan finishes on 70 off 47 after being 32 off 26 balls at one point

One of the best innings under pressure reminding fans of a certain David Warner

But I also believe that this is not his best and it is yet to come pic.twitter.com/cXMsBIb3X0

— Adi (@arandomguyposts) May 18, 2026

Ishan Kishan hitting wide off side balls pic.twitter.com/cosf39uqzv

— Sarle Lyt 🏃 (@Edaina_sare) May 18, 2026

ISHAN KISHAN PLAYED A SUPERB KNOCK AT THE CHEPAUK.#ishankishan pic.twitter.com/jCVfibQ2H3

— Radhapatel001 (@patel001_) May 18, 2026

ISHAN KISHAN , Thank You ❤️🙏

— 🧡 (@_1617g) May 18, 2026

Ishan kishan Leaded Victory for
SRH 🦅 🏏#SRHvCSKpic.twitter.com/mHqyOaJhs2

— Prabhas Fan (@Itsaprank132511) May 18, 2026

Ishan kishan 🔥🔥🔥
Great knock by ishan kishan in difficult situation 🥶#ishankishan #SRHvsCSK pic.twitter.com/tynmpnwwp2

— IshaNation (@ishan_parody1) May 18, 2026

Also READ: IPL 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad explains why MS Dhoni is not playing CSK’s final game at Chepauk