The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) welcome the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Chidambaram Stadium in Match 53 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both sides are coming into the game on the back of convincing victories.
LSG secured a surprise win against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Uttar Pradesh, while CSK have picked up two wins on the bounce, beating the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier this week.
CSK vs LSG: Toss Update
Home captain Ruturaj Gaikwad called the toss correctly
and opted to bowl first at Chepauk. The right-handed batter stated that the pitch usually plays differently in an afternoon game, which is why they want to use the conditions to their best advantage. LSG captain Rishabh Pant also wanted to bowl first. The wicketkeeper-batter wants his side to remain consistent as they near the end of their 2026 season.
CSK vs LSG: Mayank Yadav is replaced by Avesh Khan
LSGmade two changes to their playing XI after beating RCB last time around. They replaced one seamer with another, with Avesh Khan coming in for Mayank Yadav. Yadav was once again expensive in the previous game, going for more than 50 runs in his four overs for the second time in two matches this season. The 23-year-old, however, is among the Impact Subs. The other change regarding LSG involved Josh Inglis returning in place of Arshin Kulkarni.
CSK vs LSG: What did the captains say?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, MI Captain
"We're going to bowl first. The simple reason, the wicket has been covered for a while and there was a rain around as well, so nothing special. (Does the pitch play differently in day matches?) Yes, it does play differently. The other day game I thought it played too much differently than what we had expected. But I think our job is to adapt quickly as possible and try and do the rest. Bowling first, we will try and assess the couple of overs and then after that look to restrict them as soon as possible. (Mood in the dressing room) Yes, it's pretty much positive how the last 7-8 games have gone for us. To turn it around after the first three games that we lost, it's a commendable effort from everyone. It is just that everyone is really positive. Everyone is really eager to turn it around and just try and keep it just as simple as possible. We are playing with the same team."
Rishabh Pant, LSG Captain
"We would have bowled first as well. We're definitely trying to look at each and every match from here. But at the same time, we've got to be consistent and look to play good cricket. I think just looking to play good cricket as of now. We had our moments. We had our chances in a lot of games but we couldn't finish it up . And that's the learning for us - as we move forward in the tournament, that's the only thing, like I said in Mumbai that we're going to give our 200% regardless of every match. And we're trying to do that. We have two changes in the team. Josh Inglis comes in because he was injured in the last game, and Avesh comes in for Mayank."
CSK vs LSG: Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):
Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Aiden Markram, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav
Impact Subs: Mukul Choudhary, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Manimaran Siddharth, Mayank Yadav
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary
Impact Subs: Gurjapneet Singh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Madhwal
