Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein handed Chennai Super Kings a crucial early breakthrough by removing KL Rahul during their Indian Premier League 2026 encounter against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, May 5. DC captain Axar Patel opted to bat first after winning the toss at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Rahul never looked comfortable at the crease and managed just 12 runs from 13 deliveries, striking at 92.31. His innings came to an end on the opening ball of the sixth over when he advanced down the pitch to a tossed-up delivery from Hosein.
Attempting to clear the covers with a lofted shot, he mistimed it and was safely caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad. You can watch the video here:
Twists, turns, and two lethal spinners! 🔄
🎥 Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad are weaving magic from both ends 🪄
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/f1bRZthndy#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #DCvCSK | @ChennaiIPL | @AHosein21 | @noor_ahmad_15 pic.twitter.com/uGUzd7d2Dk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2026
It was a vital breakthrough for Chennai Super Kings, especially considering KL Rahul’s outstanding form in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The star batter currently leads the run charts, having piled up 445 runs in 10 innings at an impressive strike rate of 180.89.
CSK strike early, remove Rahul and Nissanka to dent DC
Delhi Capitals endured a shaky start after choosing to bat first. Opener Pathum Nissanka looked to find his rhythm in the fourth over, striking a six and a boundary off Mukesh Choudhary. However, the left-arm seamer had the final say, removing the Sri Lankan in the same over.
Nissanka scored 19 off 15 deliveries before being caught at mid-on by Dewald Brevis, leaving DC at 37/2 at the end of the powerplay. The match holds significant importance for skipper Axar Patel and his side as they aim to move up the points table.
DC currently sit seventh with four wins and five losses from nine matches, while Chennai Super Kings also have four victories in nine games but are placed sixth, courtesy of a slightly superior net run rate of 0.005.
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