SRH beat CSK to clinch IPL playoff spot

Sunrisers Hyderabad sealed their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs with a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on May 18, according to ESPNcricinfo. The result also confirmed Gujarat Titans in the last four, while leaving one playoff berth still open. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had already qualified before the match, and Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants were already out. (espncricinfo.com) SRH chased 181 in 19 overs after Chennai Super Kings posted 180 for 7. Ishan Kishan made 70 from 47 balls and Heinrich Klaasen added 47 from 26, while Pat Cummins had earlier taken 3 for 28 to restrict CSK. (tribuneindia.com) ESPNcricinfo named Kishan player of the match and listed Cummins as its MVP. ### How did Sunrisers Hyderabad finish the chase? Ishan Kishan anchored the chase with 70, hitting seven fours and three sixes, according to the match scorecard. Heinrich Klaasen then accelerated with 47 off 26 balls in a 75-run stand with Kishan that pushed SRH ahead in the middle overs. (espncricinfo.com) Sunrisers Hyderabad reached 181 for 5 with six balls remaining. The scorecard showed they were 45 for 1 in the powerplay and added 98 for 2 in the middle overs, keeping the chase under control despite losing five wickets. (espncricinfo.com) ### What did Chennai Super Kings put up? Chennai Super Kings made 180 for 7 from 20 overs in their final home game of the league stage. Dewald Brevis top-scored with 44 off 27 balls, while Kartik Sharma made 32 and Shivam Dube added 26. (espncricinfo.com) Pat Cummins removed Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma in his 3-for-28 spell. Sakib Hussain took 2 for 34, and Praful Hinge took the final wicket of the innings. (espncricinfo.com) ### Why did this result change the playoff picture? The May 18 result put Sunrisers Hyderabad into the playoffs and also sent Gujarat Titans through, ESPNcricinfo reported. That left one remaining place in the last four after RCB had already qualified. (espncricinfo.com) ESPNcricinfo’s playoff scenarios piece said Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants were already eliminated. CSK, despite the loss, remained mathematically alive after the defeat, according to the match report. (espncricinfo.com) ### Which teams are still in the race for the last spot? The Tribune reported on May 19 that Kolkata Knight Riders must beat Mumbai Indians to stay alive in the race for the final playoff berth. That report described the MI match as crucial for Ajinkya Rahane’s side. (espncricinfo.com) ESPNcricinfo said on May 18 that three playoff spots had still been open with eight league-stage matches left, but SRH’s win narrowed that race further. The remaining qualification scenarios now center on the last available place. (espncricinfo.com) ### What comes next in the IPL table? Kolkata Knight Riders’ next game against Mumbai Indians is the immediate fixture affecting the final playoff place, according to The Tribune. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are already through, while Chennai Super Kings remain dependent on other results after their home-leg defeat on May 18. (tribuneindia.com) (espncricinfo.com)