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Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL match against the Gujarat Titans.
Gujarat Titans sealed a top-two finish in the IPL playoffs with a commanding 89-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in their final league match here on Thursday.
The defeat also ended the five-time champions` slim hopes of qualifying for the last four.
“As this was his team`s second offence (first offence in Match 18) of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL`s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Gaikwad was fined Rs 24 lakhs,” said an IPL media advisory issued on Friday.
The remaining members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, have been fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lower.
CSK out of IPL playoff race
CSK`s hopes of qualifying for the IPL 2026 playoffs came to an abrupt and crushing end following an 89-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday night. In a must-win final league match for the five-time champions, CSK`s bowling unit was thoroughly dismantled by the Titans` top order.
Powerful half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan (84), Shubman Gill (64), and a blistering finish from Jos Buttler (57*) propelled Gujarat to a mammoth total of 229/4. Chasing a daunting target under immense pressure, Chennai`s batting lineup collapsed entirely under the lights.
Despite a fighting effort from Shivam Dube, who smashed 47 off 17 balls, the continuous fall of wickets proved fatal. Relentless bowling spells from Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan, who claimed three wickets apiece, bundled CSK out for a paltry 140 in just 13.4 overs. GT`s commanding victory took them to the second spot, almost confirming their place in the qualifier.
With this loss, Ruturaj Gaikwad`s men officially ended their disappointing 2026 campaign in seventh place, accumulating just 12 points from 14 matches. The heavy margin of defeat also severely damaged their net run rate, concluding a difficult season marked by critical injuries to key players, including legendary figure MS Dhoni.
(With PTI inputs)
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