Noor Ahmad Shines as CSK Defeats KKR in IPL 2026
McClenaghan Praises Noor's Aggressive Approach
Mitchell McClenaghan has expressed admiration for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Noor Ahmad following his impressive performance that led to a 32-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026 on Tuesday. During an analysis on Star Sports, McClenaghan emphasized Noor's aggressive mentality and his knack for dismantling partnerships once he finds his rhythm, noting that the young spinner consistently aims to inflict more damage after claiming a wicket.
Key Dismissals Showcase Noor's Talent
McClenaghan highlighted Noor's dismissal of Cameron Green as a 'class' delivery, showcasing his skill and precision. "He bowled an unplayable leg-spin delivery to Cameron Green by coming around the wicket. The way that ball crashed into the stumps demonstrated Noor Ahmad's class. It was a remarkable delivery," he remarked.
Furthermore, McClenaghan pointed out how Noor effectively contained Rinku Singh by limiting his scoring opportunities, which ultimately led to an error under pressure. "Against Rinku Singh, Noor denied him any room or width, preventing him from playing freely. This frustration led Rinku to play a reckless shot and get out. Once Noor Ahmad gains the upper hand, he tends to disrupt the game significantly, as he did against KKR," McClenaghan added.
Match Overview: CSK's Dominant Performance
CSK opted to bat first, scoring 192 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs, with notable contributions from Sanju Samson (48) and Dewald Brevis (41). Kartik Tyagi stood out with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs. In response, KKR struggled early, finding themselves at 29 for 2, despite a brief 50-run partnership between captain Ajinkya Rahane (28) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (27).
However, Noor's impactful bowling spell saw KKR slump to 90 for 6, ultimately finishing their innings at 160 for 7. Noor claimed the wickets of Rahane, Cameron Green, and Rinku Singh, concluding his spell with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 21 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award. This victory marked CSK's second consecutive win of the season after starting with three losses.