Chennai Super Kings secured their second victory of the Indian Premier League 2026 with a convincing 32-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Defending a target below the 200-run mark, CSK delivered a disciplined bowling performance, with Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed emerging as the standout performer. The left-arm wrist spinner conceded just 21 runs in his four overs and was named Player of the Match.

CSK bowling coach Sreedharan Sriram credited veteran captain MS Dhoni for Noor Ahmed’s remarkable turnaround. He revealed that Dhoni had an in-depth discussion with the youngster ahead of the match and offered crucial tactical inputs during practice sessions.

According to Sriram, Dhoni’s suggestion to incorporate more leg-break variations proved decisive in the match. He described Noor Ahmed as the “Kohinoor” of CSK’s bowling attack in the game against KKR.

Sriram also highlighted that flat pitches earlier in the tournament limited Noor’s effectiveness. However, the spinner has been working on adapting his bowling strategy to such conditions. After conceding runs in his opening over, Noor adjusted his length effectively, making it increasingly difficult for batters to score.

The coach further emphasized Noor’s unique strength  his ability to deceive batters with slower deliveries and sharp turn. With improved consistency and tactical awareness, Noor Ahmed continues to evolve as a key asset for CSK in IPL 2026.