IPL Bulletin for May 26: Klaasen’s Ton, SRH’s 278, Dhoni’s Future & RCB-MI Edge Ahead in Playoff Race

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IPL Bulletin for May 26: Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL 2025 campaign has become a masterclass in relentless, boundary-laden batting - and their latest demolition job against Kolkata Knight Riders only added to that legacy.

On a scorching evening in Delhi, SRH plundered 278 for 3, registering the third-highest total in IPL history, with Heinrich Klaasen's breathtaking hundred leading the charge. The sheer scale of their dominance with the bat this season has left both statisticians and opponents breathless, as they continue to shatter run-scoring records at a staggering pace.

What's more remarkable is the consistency of these batting blitzkriegs - four of the top five team totals in IPL history now belong to SRH, all achieved within the last two seasons. From Bengaluru to Hyderabad and now Delhi, the orange army has embraced a fearless philosophy under skipper Pat Cummins and head coach Daniel Vettori, with power-hitters like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Klaasen turning every ground into a batting paradise. The numbers don't lie - this is no purple patch, it's a planned onslaught.

1. CSK End IPL 2025 Campaign With a Roaring 83-Run Victory

Though their playoff hopes had long evaporated, the Chennai Super Kings scripted a rousing epilogue to their forgettable 2025 campaign by dismantling Gujarat Titans by a whopping 83 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The final standings might consign CSK to the bottom of the table, but Sunday's performance carried the scent of vintage Super Kings cricket-strategic, spirited, and subtly Dhoni-esque.

Put in to bat, CSK blazed away in the PowerPlay with a matching record of 68 runs-their best effort of the season. The fireworks began with Ayush Mhatre mauling Arshad Khan for 28 in one over, before a mistimed loft ended his blitz. Devon Conway and Shivam Dube formed a left-handed axis in the middle overs, but it was Dewald Brevis who stole the show, crashing to the second-fastest CSK fifty ever (just 19 balls), hinting at a bright future ahead.

Gujarat's famed bowling attack looked toothless as even Rashid Khan, enduring a dire season, was launched straight back for sixes. His figures suffered another blemish, equalling the record for most sixes conceded in a season-31.

Defending 230, CSK came out with a purpose. Dhoni's aggressive field placements and smart bowling rotations paid off immediately. Titans' top order, comprising Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford, fell like dominoes in the first five overs. Brief resistance from local boys B. Sai Sudharsan and M. Shahrukh Khan only delayed the inevitable, with Ravindra Jadeja sealing their fate in the 11th over. The Titans, once so formidable, folded with barely a whimper.

2. Klaasen Carnage: SRH Obliterate KKR by 110 Runs

Across in Delhi, Sunrisers Hyderabad reminded everyone why they are the IPL's most terrifying batting unit when on song. Though they bowed out of contention early, Pat Cummins' men ensured their last act would be remembered, posting a jaw-dropping 278 for three-the third-highest total in IPL history-to blow away Kolkata Knight Riders by a staggering 110 runs.

The South African blaster was in a mood, and KKR's bowlers paid the price. Klaasen carved an unbeaten 105 off just 39 deliveries, reaching his century in 37 balls-the joint third-fastest in IPL history. It was an innings of cold fury, calculated destruction, and unforgettable clean hitting. Not since Chris Gayle's monstrous assault on Pune Warriors in 2013 have fans witnessed such disdain for bowlers.

Support came from Travis Head, who thumped 76 off 40 balls, and Abhishek Sharma, who continued his PowerPlay pyrotechnics with a swift 38. The trio launched SRH to 79 without loss in six overs, before Klaasen took over for the carnage that followed. Even KKR's dependable duo, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, were swept away in the onslaught.

KKR, chasing a target beyond mortal reach, never looked in the game. Reduced to rubble inside the first eight overs, they eventually succumbed for 168. Harsh Dubey, Jaydev Unadkat, and Eshan Malinga each took three wickets to hammer the final nails in the coffin. SRH's season may have fizzled out early, but Sunday's performance was a resounding declaration: ignore them in 2026 at your peril.

3. MI & RCB Eye Top Two as GT Flounder

Even as the league table confirms its four playoff-bound squads-Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians-the battle for a top-two finish rages with nerve-racking uncertainty.

Sunday's drubbing at the hands of CSK left Gujarat Titans with more than just bruised egos. Though they remain atop the table with 18 points, their net run rate has taken a severe dent. Suddenly, their once-secure position is dangling by a thread.

Here's how the top-two chase now stands:

• If RCB (17 points) beat LSG, they'll sail into the top two, potentially to the summit.
• If MI (16 points) beat PBKS (17 points) on Monday, Mumbai will claim pole position thanks to a superior NRR.
• Should PBKS win, they will seal a top-two spot unless RCB obliterate LSG and leapfrog them on run rate.
• A loss for either PBKS or MI means curtains for their top-two hopes.
• For GT, the calculators are out. If both RCB and the winner of MI vs PBKS surge ahead, Titans could tumble to third or even fourth.

This tightrope act means Qualifier 1-a coveted lifeline into the final-remains up for grabs for three teams, all depending on the last two league fixtures.

4. Dhoni Addresses Retirement Talks: “I Have 4-5 Months to Decide”

In what has become an annual tradition, MS Dhoni addressed the elephant in the room after CSK's final league game - his retirement. Yet again, Captain Cool played it cool, saying he would "take 4-5 months" to decide on his IPL future.

"I'll always come and see the yellow fans, even if not in the same capacity," said Dhoni, hinting at the emotional difficulty of calling time on his career. He remained non-committal, but his fitness and glove-work throughout IPL 2025 showed he's still got plenty to offer - both with the bat and behind the stumps.

The crowd at Chepauk, which erupted with chants of "one more year," might not get a definitive answer soon. But for now, Dhoni has left the door ajar.

5. Klaasen Equals Third-Fastest IPL Hundred Record

Klaasen's ballistic knock against KKR saw him bring up his hundred in just 41 balls, equalling the record set by the likes of David Miller and Adam Gilchrist. Only Chris Gayle (30 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (37 balls) have done it quicker.

His ability to dismantle both pace and spin with equal ease made this ton one of the most complete and awe-inspiring displays of modern T20 hitting. His innings not only ensured a win for SRH but also gave their net run rate a considerable boost - which could prove vital in the playoff shakedown.

6. SRH’s 259: Third-Highest IPL Total Ever

Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting juggernaut rolled on in Delhi as they smashed 278 for 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders - the third-highest team total in IPL history. Heinrich Klaasen's blistering century and powerful contributions from the top order ensured KKR were never in the contest.

SRH have now made a habit of rewriting record books, featuring four times in the top five highest IPL totals of all time - an extraordinary feat that reflects their aggressive philosophy under Pat Cummins.

Highest Team Totals in IPL History:

• 287/3 - SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024
• 286/6 - SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2025
• 278/3 - SRH vs KKR, Delhi, 2025
• 277/3 - SRH vs MI, Hyderabad, 2024
• 272/7 - KKR vs DC, Visakhapatnam, 2024
• 266/7 - SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024

It's not just dominance - it's a pattern of destruction. SRH's fearsome line-up, anchored by Travis Head, Klaasen, and Abhishek Sharma, has turned IPL 2025 into a six-hitting festival.

7. Raina To Return? CSK May Rope in Mr. IPL as Batting Coach

In the CSK dugout, murmurs of Suresh Raina's return-this time as a batting coach-caused a mild flutter. During a broadcast with Aakash Chopra and Sanjay Bangar, Raina hinted at being approached. However, when asked, assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram played coy. "Don't know, have to ask him," he smiled.

The position in question is currently occupied by Michael Hussey, but Raina's deep ties with CSK and his aura among fans make the possibility an intriguing one. Given the emergence of young batters like Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel, the team's transition phase might benefit from a familiar hand on the coaching tiller.

8. Shami's Silence Broken: SRH Coach Defends Veteran Pacer

Lastly, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori addressed questions regarding Mohammed Shami’s lack of appearances this season. The India pacer has yet to feature in IPL 2025 due to a lingering heel injury and fitness issues.

Vettori clarified, “We’ve been cautious with Shami. His recovery has been slower than expected, and we didn’t want to rush him back prematurely.” While fans had hoped for Shami’s return in the latter half of the season, the franchise’s management appears to be looking at the bigger picture, potentially eyeing his involvement in the next IPL or international assignments.