Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs in the TATA IPL 2026, securing a second straight win. On Star Sports' 'Amul Cricket Live', experts Piyush Chawla and Mitchell McClenaghan analysed CSK's bowling, Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy, and previewed today's RCB vs LSG Rivalry Week match.
Piyush Chawla highlighted Gaikwad's response to Sunil Narine's opening. He said Ruturaj held back Akeal Hosein early and used Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj with the new ball. That move removed Finn Allen and Narine, after which Hosein entered and controlled the middle overs.
Chawla felt Gaikwad's focus was on constant wickets. He said the captain "was just going for the kill and did not want the match to drag. When Noor Ahmad and Hosein bowled together,
Gaikwad aimed to close the game quickly, which matched CSK's plan.
Akeal Hosein's influence on CSK attack
Chawla said Hosein changed CSK's Powerplay record. Before he joined the XI, CSK leaked many runs with the new ball. With Hosein back, those overs became tighter, with disciplined lengths and lines that gave batters few boundary options.
He noted Hosein could have claimed more wickets against KKR. Two catches went down from his bowling, denying him extra rewards. Chawla said Hosein still bowled "brilliantly and made rival batters feel his presence across the innings.
Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj impress
Mitchell McClenaghan underlined Noor Ahmad's knack for multiple strikes. He said Noor often gets more than one wicket in a spell. Against KKR, Noor dismissed Cameron Green with "an unpickable leg-spin delivery and then tied down Rinku Singh with no room outside off.
McClenaghan added that frustration forced Rinku into a rash stroke. He said once Noor gets ahead, he "seems to really scuttle things. On Kamboj, McClenaghan praised his yorkers at the death in humid Chennai, calling his round-the-wicket execution "spot-on despite dew.
RCB vs LSG Rivalry Week focus
Looking at today's RCB vs LSG match, McClenaghan said LSG's batting looks balanced. Their openers, middle order, and lower middle order all contribute. However, he stressed they face defending champions RCB, who carry confidence after a win over MI.
He said LSG's bowling, led by Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav, appears strong but will face a flat pitch and short boundaries in Bengaluru. McClenaghan wants Mitchell Marsh to fire at the top and expects the small ground to suit Nicholas Pooran, adding, "He is the key batter I want to see him bounce back and make a statement.
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