HIGHLIGHTS Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2026 Match 53 - Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle now. Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two openers for Chennai Super Kings. Mohammad Shami to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Middle-overs comeback revives CSK hopes - Chennai Super Kings will be pleased with the way they fought back after being taken apart in the Powerplay. Noor Ahmad was brilliant once again, and his match-up against Nicholas Pooran worked perfectly as he removed the dangerous batter while conceding just 24 runs in his four overs. However, the real turning point came through Jamie Overton, whose double-wicket over, dismissing both Rishabh Pant and the well-set Josh Inglis, shifted the momentum completely. Overton finished with a three-wicket haul, though LSG hit back by taking 17 off his final over. Hosein and Mukesh Choudhary proved expensive, but Anshul Kamboj chipped in with a couple of wickets as he moved clear at the top of the bowling charts. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Time to hear from the Purple Cap holder - Anshul Kamboj wears the Purple Cap and says that the wicket is a tad slow but the bounce is nice and they can chase it down. He feels that the wicket won't slow down further and the ball will come onto the bat nicely. Mentions that they have done well to come back after conceding too many runs in the Powerplay and it feels good to have done that. On the change of his angles, he says that he does that, especially at the death, to play with the mind of the batters and ends by saying that the score on the board is a chasable one.

LSG survive collapse to finish strong - Lucknow Super Giants came out all guns blazing with Josh Inglis tearing into the bowling and timing everything to perfection. They rocketed to 91 in the Powerplay, with Inglis doing most of the damage. It looked like he was batting on a different pitch in his breathtaking knock of 85 off just 33 balls before finally being dismissed. However, the middle order failed to capitalise on that explosive platform as LSG slipped dramatically from 92/1 to 130/5. Just when things were beginning to unravel, Shahbaz Ahamad and Himmat Singh stitched together a crucial 50-run partnership to steady the innings, while Ahamad stayed unbeaten on 43 off 25 to ensure LSG finished strongly.

A tale of two halves! Lucknow Super Giants looked set for 230-plus with the way they exploded out of the blocks, but CSK stormed back brilliantly through the middle overs to drag things under control. Just when the momentum had shifted completely, Lucknow produced one final flourish, hammering 36 runs in the last three overs to push past 200. And that total could be a huge one - CSK have not chased down anything above 180 in the IPL since 2019, losing all 14 such attempts.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, SIX! BANG! Shahbaz Ahamad finishes things off in style and takes LSG past the 200-run mark. Kamboj tries to go for the wide yorker, but ends up serving a near waist-high full toss. Ahamad leans across to the off side and wallops it over cow corner for a huge six. Ahamad has also taken a review for a No Ball but the third umpire confirms that the ball is below his waist height. Lucknow Super Giants end with 203/8 on the board as Shahbaz Ahamad remains unbeaten on 43 off 25 balls.

Avesh Khan comes out to the middle now. He is also the Impact Sub for Lucknow Super Giants, replacing Josh Inglis.

Josh Inglis is substituted by Avesh Khan

Anshul Kamboj to Mohammad Shami, OUT! MOHAMMAD SHAMI IS RUN OUT! They simply had to go for the run, but Shami was never going to make it. Anshul Kamboj bowls it short over middle and leg, and Shami looks to pull it away but misses. Shahbaz Ahamad is already halfway through for the bye but Sanju Samson misses the underarm shy at the batter's end. The ball dribbles down the strip and into the hands of the bowler, who jogs back and whips off the bails at his end with Shami well out of his crease.

The next batter in is Mohammad Shami.

Anshul Kamboj to Himmat Singh, OUT! BOWLED'EM! That's lethal accuracy from Anshul Kamboj and he's the first one to pick up 19 wickets this season. Kamboj comes around the wicket to the right-hander and nails the yorker on middle and leg. Himmat Singh tries to take a step across to the off side and flick it leg side but gets nutmegged and the ball castles into the stumps.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, PUT DOWN! An immediate apology from Jamie Overton, but he's spilled a dolly. A surprise bumper from Anshul Kamboj, just outside off and around shoulder height. Shahbaz Ahamad is late to go after it and gets a top edge that lands near short cover. Overton settles under it and tries to reverse-cup the ball but it goes right through his hands. Single takena and up comes the 50-run stand between these two.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, That's well bowled. A yorker, lands it on the popping crease on off stump. Ahamad looks to hit it leg side again but gets an inside edge onto the boot and the ball rolls back down the strip.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, Back of a length, a tad on the shorter side and at the bodyline. Ahamad swings at it but snatches at the pull and gets it through the square leg region for a couple of runs.

Anshul Kamboj to bowl the last over. How many can LSG get?

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, Full and outside off, pace on this time, Ahamad goes after it but miscues it towards mid on for a single. 17 off the over.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, Good change-up from Overton, as he bowls the slower one, full and angled across the left-hander. Ahamad leans back to slog it over wide long on but misses.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, FOUR! Ahamad is doing a fine job for LSG here. Back of a length, darted away from the off stump. Ahamad opens the face of the blade late and pokes it between the keeper and fly slip for another boundary.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, Overton sticks with the heavy short balls and bowls it straighter this time around. Over middle and leg, swattd down to the right of long on for a couple of runs more.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, SIX! Wow, that's gone all the way. Another one that is dug in short and outside off. Shahbaz Ahamad climbs into the shot and clobbers it off the bottom half of the blade, all the way over long off for a six.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, FOUR! Too much width on offer. Banged in well short and wide, Ahamad hops up and reaches for it, slashing it over backward point for a boundary.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, A low full toss at the stumps, Ahamad lunges across to get inside the line and laps it to short fine leg for a single.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, Mukesh gets the yorker in, on middle and leg. Ahamad tries to back away but jams it straight back at the bowler, who makes a good stop in his followthrough.

Mukesh Choudhary to Himmat Singh, Gets it right this time, does Choudhary. Full and wide outside off, Singh reaches out and toe-ends it to the right of mid off for a single.

Mukesh Choudhary to Himmat Singh, WIDE! That's a wild one. Looking for the wide yorker but this is pushed well beyond the tramline outside off and Singh leaves it alone.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, Full and attacking the stumps, driven firmly but straight to deep point for a single.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, SIX! Well, that deserved to be put away. A full toss, angling into the pads, Shahbaz Ahamad gets on one knee, gets under the ball and slogs it high over backward square leg for a biggie.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, On the money! Mukesh Choudhary serves a straight yorker and all Ahamad can do it jam it back out to the bowler.

Mukesh Choudhary replaces Noor Ahmad.

Anshul Kamboj to Himmat Singh, FOUR! A welcome boundary for LSG. Back of a length but well wide outside off, Himmat Singh frees his arms and spanks the ball wide to the right of the deep point fielder for four runs.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, Very full again, just outside off, Ahamad plays it late and drives it nicely to deep cover for another single.

Anshul Kamboj to Himmat Singh, Back of a length and around off, tucked away off the back foot between square leg and mid-wicket for one more.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, A wide yorker from Kamboj, nailed as well. Shahbaz Ahamad digs it out to covers and turns the strike over.

Anshul Kamboj to Shahbaz Ahamad, A slower bumper now, around off, Ahamad gets on his toes and tries to ramp it away but fails to lay a bat on it.

Looks like Anshul Kamboj is feeling a bit dehydrated, and the physio comes running in to check on him. He is good to go again now.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

Anshul Kamboj to Himmat Singh, Slower one, on a good length, Himmat comes foreard and knocks it down to long on for one.

Anshul Kamboj is back on.

Noor Ahmad to Shahbaz Ahamad, A bit of a prolonged appeal for LBW, turned down. After a bit of a chat, Ruturaj Gaikwad reviews the on-field call. Bowled flatter by Noor Ahmad, turning it into the left-hander. Shahbaz Ahamad gets pegged onto the back foot as he tries to flick it away but misses and gets rapped on the pads. The third umpire is called in and there's no bat involved, as Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpire's call and it stays Not Out.

Noor Ahmad to Himmat Singh, Floated, full and on leg, nurdled into the leg side for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Himmat Singh, Good length around middle, offering no room to the batter and Singh blocks it off.

Noor Ahmad to Shahbaz Ahamad, Shorter one on middle, nudged away off the back foot through square leg for one.

Noor Ahmad to Himmat Singh, Excellent fielding but the relay effort isn't quite in sync. Dragged length on leg, Singh comes down the pitch and works it between long on and deep mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis at deep mid-wicket runs to his left and dives across, saving the boundary. He tries to flick it to the on-rushing Ruturaj Gaikwad from long on but gets it well wide and Gaikwad has to chase it back. Three taken.

Noor Ahmad to Himmat Singh, Flatter one angled across off, dabbed away down to short third by Himmat Singh.

Noor Ahmad comes back in to finish his spell.

Jamie Overton to Shahbaz Ahamad, Oops! Jamie Overton loses his grip trying to bowl the slowy, serves a high full toss, around off, dips in a bit, Shahbaz Ahamad can only swat it towards mid off.  He looks at the square leg umpire but gets nothing and takes the review. The Ball Tracking and the replay confirm that the ball is under the waist of the batter.

Jamie Overton to Himmat Singh, On a length and angling into the leg side, Himmat Singh misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. A leg bye taken.

Jamie Overton to Himmat Singh, SIX! Oh..that is a top shot! Short of a length and on middle, not short enough this time. Himmat Singh gets on top of the bounce, swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 150 up for LSG.

Jamie Overton to Himmat Singh, A quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Himmat Singh ducks under it.

Again, a wicket falls immediately after the break for LSG. This brings Himmat Singh to the crease.

Jamie Overton to Akshat Raghuwanshi, OUT! CAUGHT! Number three for Jamie Overton. He cleverly rolls his fingers to take pace off, hits the length hard and on off. Akshat Raghuwanshi tries to flat-bat it down the ground but the ball just bounces a bit more and hits him high on the bat. It spoons towards mid off, where Urvil Patel takes a dolly. LSG are 147/6.

On the first ball of the over, keeper Sanju Samson thought he heard a noise but Jamie Overton didn't even appeal for a caught behind, strange.

Jamie Overton to Akshat Raghuwanshi, WIDE! Hard length but angling down the leg side, Akshat Raghuwanshi swings at it but misses. Wided.

Jamie Overton to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Akshat Raghuwanshi sways away and tries the upper cut but misses. Sanju Samson grabs it behind the stumps and appeals for the catch, but get no support from the others.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The Super Giants were 91/1 after the first 6 overs, and they are now 146/5 with 6 overs remaining. The Super Kings have made a brilliant comeback in the middle phase thanks to solid spells from the likes of Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton. LSG don't have much batting to come after this and might be forced to use their Impact Sub early if a wicket falls soon after the break. On the other hand, CSK will be looking for more wickets because with plenty of overs still to play, if they don't keep picking up wickets, LSG could still go on and get to 200 runs. With that said, Jamie Overton (2-0-21-2) is back on.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, Good length and on off, angles in a bit and skids through, Shahbaz Ahamad tries to guide it away but misses.

Mukesh Choudhary to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Pace off again, on a length and on middle, Akshat Raghuwanshi works it through mid-wicket for one.

Mukesh Choudhary to Akshat Raghuwanshi, FOUR! Excellent shot! A slower one, full and around off. Akshat Raghuwanshi skips down the track, stays leg side of the ball and smashes it through extra covers for a boundary.

Mukesh Choudhary to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Back of a length and around off, Akshat Raghuwanshi opens the bat face and steers it towards deep third, where Shivam Dube fumbles and allows the second.

Mukesh Choudhary to Shahbaz Ahamad, Fuller and around off, Shahbaz Ahamad drives it square through point for a run.

Mukesh Choudhary to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Fuller and on middle, Akshat Raghuwanshi drills it hard down the pitch. Mukesh Choudhary on his follow-through, gets low and parries it towards mid off. Just a single.

Akeal Hosein to Shahbaz Ahamad, FOUR! Nice shot! Short again and well outside off, Shahbaz Ahamad uses the width on offer and cuts it away through backward point for a boundary.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Short and on off, Akshat Raghuwanshi punches it to long off for another run.

Akeal Hosein to Shahbaz Ahamad, Tossed up, full and on middle, Shahbaz Ahamad tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Drags his length back, on leg, Akshat Raghuwanshi nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Flatter, full and on off, Akshat Raghuwanshi uses his feet and pushes it to extra cover. He wants the run but is sent back. The fielder throws it at the batter's end, where Akshat scrambles his way into the crease.

The next batter is Shahbaz Ahamad.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, OUT! AIDEN MARKRAM IS RUN OUT! It's going from bad to worse for Lucknow Super Giants here. Akeal Hosein floats it up, full and on middle, Akshat Raghuwanshi drills it wide of long on and calls for two. Markram is a bit late to turn around, but responds to his partner. Dewald Brevis runs a bit to his right, picks up the ball and stands up. He takes aim and hits the bullseye at the bowler's end, with Markram well short of his crease. The replay also confirms the same, and just like that, LSG lose half their side.

Is that a run out? Definitely seemed like it. The third umpire is called in to have a look, and it is a quick one as replays confirm that Aiden Markram is short of his crease at the bowler's end. OUT!

Noor Ahmad to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Good fielding! Dragged back and outside off, Akshat Raghuwanshi slaps it wide of extra cover, where Ruturaj Gaikwad dives to his left to make a fine stop. Just one.

Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Floated, full and on middle, Aiden Markram tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Noor Ahmad to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Quicker and shorter, on middle, spins in a bit, Akshat Raghuwanshi misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards point. A leg bye taken.

Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Flatter, full and on off, Aiden Markram opens the bat face and pushes it through cover-point for another run.

Noor Ahmad to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Short again and around off, Akshat Raghuwanshi waits for it and steers it to backward point for a run.

Noor Ahmad to Aiden Markram, Shorter in length and on leg, Aiden Markram clips it away through square leg for a single.

Noor Ahmad (2-0-14-1) is back into the attack.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Another short delivery, on off, Akshat Raghuwanshi stabs it out to short cover.

Akeal Hosein to Aiden Markram, Dragged back, on middle, Aiden Markram punches it to long on for one.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Tossed up, full and on off, Akshat Raghuwanshi prods forward and taps it to the off side. A bit of hesitation but the batters set off for the run. Sanju Samson, the keeper, gets to the ball and throws it at the bowler's end while being off balance but misses the stumps.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Keeps the length short, on the pads, Akshat Raghuwanshi nudges it away through backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Akeal Hosein to Aiden Markram, Goes short and around leg, Aiden Markram stays back and clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Akeal Hosein to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Floated, full and on middle and leg, Akshat Raghuwanshi drills it wide of long on for a single.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, Just back of a length, over middle, nudged across to mid-wicket by Markram.

Jamie Overton to Akshat Raghuwanshi, Back of a length, outside off, Akshat Raghuwanshi gets on his toes and taps it behind point for a single.

Jamie Overton to Akshat Raghuwanshi, WIDE! Full and angled down the leg side, and a wide is called.

Double blow for LSG. Akshat Raghuwanshi is the next man in.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, OUT! TIMBER! What a game-changing over this is turning out to be and Jamie Overton is over the moon with that wicket. Another pacey delivery from Overton, bowling it just short of a good length and on off stump. There's extra bounce on offer as well and Rishabh Pant plays a lazy shot, looking to just glide it away. The ball ends up taking the inside edge and goes back on to hit the stumps.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, Oh, deary me! A direct hit and Aiden Markram would have been out by a mile. Length ball on the pads, Pant tucks it away between square leg and mid-wicket and looks for two right away. Markram completes the first run and hesitates but Pant is already at the keeper's end. Markram eventually goes for the second run and thankfully for him, the shy from the deep is well wide of the stumps at the bowler's end.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, Hard length over middle, tucked away down to deep square leg for a single.

A massive moment in the game and the CSK fans are going crazy in the stands as they know the importance of this wicket. Aiden Markram joins his skipper out in the middle.

Jamie Overton to Josh Inglis, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Jamie Overton gets the set batter and Josh Inglis is absolutely gutted. Overton peppers the hard length, bowling it at 140 kph and angles it in over off and middle. Inglis shuffles across and tries to paddle it between the keeper and short fine leg but only manages to get an inside edge on it. Sanju Samson springs to his left and snaffles the catch brilliantly as Inglis walks back disappointed to have missed out on the ton. LSG are now 112/3.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! That's found the gap in the field. On the shorter side again, around off, Rishabh Pant stays deep in the crease and shovels it well to the right of the fine leg fielder for another boundary. 11 off the over.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, Good length, attacking middle stump, Pat hops inside the line and works it nicely behind square leg for a couple of handy runs.

Noor Ahmad to Josh Inglis, Fractionally short, turning into the batter. Josh Inglis rocks back to pull but gets slightly rushed and snatches it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a run.

Noor Ahmad to Josh Inglis, Flatter again, attacking the stumps, Inglis makes room and hits it hard but straight to the cover fielder.

Noor Ahmad to Josh Inglis, Excellent change of angle from Noor. He comes around the wicket and darts the ball well into the batter. Inglis backs away to hammer it through covers but misses.

Noor Ahmad to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Over the infield. Floated up on leg stump, Josh Inglis goes inside-out and lofts it over the cover-point region for a boundary.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, Pitched much fuller this time and outside off, Pant gets across to cover the line and blocks it off.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, A swing and a miss from Pant. Just back of a length again, tight line around off. Pant hangs back and looks to pull but the length isn't quite there and gets beaten.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Streaky! Back of a length, on middle and leg, cramping the batter for room. Pant looks to hop and defends but gets rushed and the ball takes the inside edge of the bat and rolls behind into the fine leg fence. 100 UP FOR LSG!

Jamie Overton to Josh Inglis, Attempted slower ball, turns out to be a straight full toss. Inglis hits it straight to mid on and scampers across for the single.

Jamie Overton to Rishabh Pant, Short again, over middle, a heavy ball from Overton. Pant pulls it in front of mid-wicket for one. Inglis looks for the second run but Pant sends him back and rightly so.

Jamie Overton to Josh Inglis, A bumper to begin with, directed right at the helmet. Inglis controls the pull well down to long leg and picks up a single.

Spin from both ends? No, Jamie Overton replaces Anshul Kamboj.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, BEATEN! Dragged length around off, holds its line as well. Rishabh Pant hangs back and has a poke at it, but the ball zips past the outside edge. Just 3 runs and a wicket off Ahmad's first over.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, Nagging length, attacking off and middle stump, Pant watchfully defends it back to the bowler.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, Quick and short, angled into the batter, Rishabh Pant fails to get it away.

Noor Ahmad to Rishabh Pant, Good running. Flatter one angled into middle and leg, tucked away in front of square leg for a couple of runs. Sarfaraz Khan should have done better stopping the second.

Afghan magic works for CSK. Skipper Rishabh Pant comes out to the middle now.

Noor Ahmad to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! CAUGHT! Noor Ahmad strikes gold on just his second delivery and LSG lose their second wicket in successive overs. Noor bowls it with a scrmabled seam and on a good length around off. Nicholas Pooran gets low and across, trying to whack it over deep mid-wicket but gets plenty of height and not enough distance. The substitute fielder Sarfaraz Khan nearly loses it in the sun, but recovers well and hangs onto the skier. Khan seems delighted with that catch and Pooran has to walk back for a low score.

Noor Ahmad to Josh Inglis, Floated full and around leg, Inglis tries to reverse sweep but miscues it in front of square on the off side and picks up a single.

Strategic Break! Chennai Super Kings needed this break, as their bowlers have been smashed to all parts by Josh Inglis. He is batting like a dream, having scored 77 off just 25 balls, and no signs of him slowing down. CSK will hope that this just stops a bit of momentum and their spinners can get them back in the game in the middle overs. However, LSG have a lot of firepower, and with this start, they will have to make the most out of it to put up a massive total on the board. Noor Ahmad comes into the attack right after the Powerplay!

Anshul Kamboj to Nicholas Pooran, A dot to finish, but LSG get 91 runs off the Powerplay, having lost just one wicket. Fuller in length again, around off, Pooran comes forward and drives it straight to covers.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, Very full, attacking the toes, clipped away to deep square leg for a single.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, WIDE! Inglis changes his stance early and Kamboj sees him do that. Kamboj tries to go full and wide but ends up spilling it well beyond the tramline outside off.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, SIX! Josh Inglis takes full toll of the freebie and picks up a maximum. Full-pitched delivery, just outside off, Inglis gets low and just swings at it, slicing the ball up and over the cover-point fence for a biggie. He's now on 76 out of LSG's 89 at the moment, sheer dominance.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Gets enough elevation on it, does Inglis. To make things worse for CSK, Kamboj has overstepped and off goes the siren. A half-volley on middle, Inglis backs away and thwacks it flat over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary. No Ball called and Free Hit to follow.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, Oh, that could have easily hit the top of the stumps. Good length, slanted in from wider on the crease. Inglis shuffles to get inside the line and hoick it over fine leg but misses as the ball goes just over middle and leg stump.

Anshul Kamboj to Nicholas Pooran, Nicky P is off the mark right away. A heavy short ball, dug in around off stump. Pooran hops up and pulls it without much timing between mid on and mid-wicket for a single.

The Chennai crowd finds its voice again. Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat at number 3.

Anshul Kamboj to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Marsh didn't want to miss out on the fun, but he's held out in the deep and CSK finally have a breakthrough. Anshul Kamboj bashes the hard length and angles it into the batter. Marsh goes for the favored lofted on-drive but gets it nowhere near the middle of the bat. The ball sails down to long on, where Dewald Brevis takes a simple catch and Kamboj breaks LSG's 77-run opening stand. That's Kamboj's 18th wicket of the season as well, on level with Kagiso Rabada at the top of the charts now.

Anshul Kamboj switches ends.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, A rare dot ball! Slower through the air, full and angling into leg, Josh Inglis fails to get it away and the ball hits his pads.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Floated, full and on off, Josh Inglis skipes down the track, stays inside the line of the ball and smacks it over covers for another boundary.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, SIX! That has gone many a mile! Akeal Hosein drags his length back, on middle and leg. Josh Inglis rocks back and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, FOUR! A bit streaky! Flatter, arm ball, short and on middle, angling in. Josh Inglis hangs back to heave it away but gets an inside edge that races to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, FOUR! FIFTY FOR INGLIS! His first half-century of this season and he gets to it in just 17 balls. Tossed up, full and on off, Josh Inglis goes inside out, extends his arms to reach out and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary. He raises his bat and points to someone in the dugout. Inglis is certainly enjoying his batting here.

Akeal Hosein to Mitchell Marsh, Short and on off, Mitchell Marsh punches it to long off for a single. He is happy to give the strike back to Inglis who has been simply superb so far.

Josh Inglis is hitting everything right off the middle of his willow right now and LSG are on a rampage. Akeal Hosein is back into the attack. He went for 16 in his first over.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, FOUR! There is no stopping that! Much fuller again and on middle and off. Josh Inglis backs away a bit, gets underneath it and thumps it past the bowler for four more runs. 18 runs off the over.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, Overpitched and around off, Josh Inglis drives it firmly but fails to beat mid off.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, SIX! There he goes again! Mukesh Choudhary lands this on a good length and around middle. Josh Inglis picks it up early, gets on top of the bounce and dispatches it over the long on fence for a biggie. 50 UP FOR LSG.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, Hard length and around leg, gives no room to the batter. Josh Inglis swings across the line but misses as the ball goes off his back thigh towards point.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, FOUR! That's the third time now! Fuller delivery and around off, Josh Inglis knows that third man is up in the circle. He goes for the reverse scoop and nails it over that fielder for a boundary.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and well outside off, Josh Inglis gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it between point and cover-point for a boundary.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, On a length and on middle, Josh Inglis nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, SIX! Josh Inglis has done it again! Good length and on off, Inglis once again switches hands and plays the reverse scoop to perfection over third man for another biggie.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, Close call! Just short of a length and on middle, Josh Inglis swipes it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square and calls for two. He turns back, but his bat gets stuck on the pitch while trying to slide it in to make the second run. The fielder in the deep throws it at the keeper's end but the ball misses the stumps. A direct hit would have had Inglis.

Anshul Kamboj to Josh Inglis, Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard and on middle, skids through a bit, Josh Inglis has a big heave across the line but fails to connect.

Anshul Kamboj to Mitchell Marsh, Back of a length and on middle, nips back in, Mitchell Marsh looks to block but gets an inside edge beside the strip on the leg side. They cross.

Anshul Kamboj to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in a bit. Mitchell Marsh presents the full face of the bat, keeps a steady head and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Time for an early bowling change as Anshul Kamboj comes into the attack now.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, Bangs this into the pitch, just outside off, angling away, Josh Inglis slashes and misses.

Mukesh Choudhary to Josh Inglis, SIX! Audacious shot! Much fuller and around off. Josh Inglis changes his stance late, holds the bat like a frying pan and reverse scoops it over the third man fence for a biggie.

Mukesh Choudhary to Mitchell Marsh, Hits the deck hard and around off, Mitchell Marsh steps across and punches it towards cover-point, where Sarfaraz Khan lets it through for a single. Mukesh was building the pressure on Marsh, but he gets off strike now.

Mukesh Choudhary to Mitchell Marsh, Touch fuller and on off, shaping in, Mitchell Marsh pushes it to short cover. Three dots in a row!

Mukesh Choudhary to Mitchell Marsh, Excellent bowling! Short of a length and on middle, jags back in sharply. Mitchell Marsh gets cramped up for room. He hops up to keep it out, gets a bottom edge behind the stumps.

Mukesh Choudhary to Mitchell Marsh, Back of a length and just outside off, Mitchell Marsh frees his arms and cuts it hard but straight to point. Mukesh gets lucky here.

Mukesh Choudhary to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Mukesh Choudhary begins with a wayward delivery! Short of a length but way, way outside off, maybe he just loses the grip. Mitchell Marsh lets it go. Called a wide.

What a start for LSG as Inglis exploded into life on the last 3 balls of the first over. It will be Mukesh Choudhary to bowl from the other end.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Fine shot! Another short delivery, on middle. Josh Inglis is quick to rock back and swats it away to the wide long on fence for four more runs. 16 runs off the first over.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Gets it away! Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in. Josh Inglis goes down and tries to sweep it away. Gets it from the top edge but it flies to the vacant deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, SIX! BANG! Josh Inglis does not take long to go big. Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Inglis clears his front leg, hits it through the line, tonking it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Akeal Hosein to Mitchell Marsh, Short again and on off, Mitchell Marsh punches it past the bowler, down to long off for a run. Gets off the mark as well.

Akeal Hosein to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter, short and around leg, Mitchell Marsh stays back and clips it away to square leg.

Akeal Hosein to Josh Inglis, LSG and Josh Inglis are underway! Akeal Hosein starts with a floater, short and on middle, Inglis moves back and heaves it through mid-wicket for a single.

We are all set for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle and the players of CSK also stride out to the middle and take their places on the outfield. It will be Josh Inglis back opening for LSG alongside last game's centurion, Mitchell Marsh. Akeal Hosein has the new ball in hand, and we are about to see just left-arm spin to begin proceedings. Let's play...

Impact Players for LSG - Avesh Khan, Mukul Choudhary, Abdul Samad, Manimaran Siddharth, Mayank Yadav.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (In place of Arshin Kulkarni), Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahamad, Mohammad Shami, Prince Yadav, and Digvesh Singh.

Impact Players for CSK - Gurjapneet Singh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Madhwal.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube (In for Gurjapneet Singh), Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, and Mukesh Choudhary.

The skipper of Lucknow Super Giants - Rishabh Pant says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they definitely had their moments in a lot of games but just couldn't finish them off. Mentions that they are taking one game at a time but there main aim is to play good cricket. Informs that they have made a couple of changes. Josh Inglis comes back in the team after missing the last game due to injury and Avesh Khan replaces Mayank Yadav.

The captain of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says that they will bowl first because the wicket was under covers due to rain. Adds that the pitch did play a bit differently in the last game and their job is to adapt quickly. Mentions that the mood in the dressing room is positive after turning things around and they will look to continue in the same fashion. Ends by saying that they are going in with the same team.

TOSS - It's toss time at the Chepauk! Both the captains are out there in the middle now alongside the ever-energetic Ravi Shastri. Ruturaj Gaikwad gives the coin a flip and it lands in his favour. Chennai Super Kings elect to BOWL first.

Time to hear from the home camp - CSK's Matt Henry says that he is doing great. It's great to be here in Chennai for an afternoon game and the crowd is pumping. Adds that with the Impact Sub, you have to be ready at all times. Mentions that as a professional cricketer, you find the balance to train even if you are not playing but staying fresh and ready to be called upon. Henry shares that they have a good group. They love their coffee, some pool time to take their minds off but the key is to stay connected with each other. He reckons that two good sides are going against each other and it will be exciting. Ends by saying that with a bit of weather around, whoever adapts to the conditions quickly, will have a better chance.

A quick chat with Aiden Markram - Markram says that it was nice to get a win the other day and hopefully they can back that up today. On his role, he says that you need to understand your role well and take it ball by ball, and if you're playing in the middle order, you need to be fluid. On how his shot selection differs while batting up top and while batting in the middle order, Markram has a slight chuckle and says that up top you can get away with a few more shots but in the middle order you can get caught playing those same shots and you need to find your unique way to score in the middle phase and he tries to find space in the outfield. He then reiterates that he's pretty fluid, but in recent times he's played more up top and says that he'd rather get shuffled up and down the order than sit on the bench and that's the way he sees it and tries not to overthink things.

PITCH REPORT - WV Raman is pitchside. He starts by mentioning the dimensions, and it is a 79 meter hit down the ground, with the square boundaries being 65 meters and 68 meters. Eoin Morgan joins him and says that this is an interesting surface, and the one game played on this particular surface was a night game in which Sanju Samson got a hundred. Morgan talks about bowling on good lines and lengths, targeting the stumps and it will be a bit tricky to decide during the toss whether to bat first or bowl first. Raman ends by saying that it will be a good wicket to bat on nevertheless.

Numbers in play - Lucknow edge the head-to-head 3-2, and that record includes their famous heist at this very venue, chasing down 211, still the highest successful chase in Chepauk's IPL history. Over the last 10 games here, batting first has won only 40 percent of the time, but the average first-innings score is just 176 which means modest totals that can still be match-winning. Heavy rain overnight has left the pitch with extra moisture, and with overcast conditions expected, the pacers will suddenly have a bigger say than usual. That changes everything and makes this contest even more fascinating. Toss and team news in a bit.

The Prince rises in Lucknow - Lucknow Super Giants walked into this season with big names and bigger hopes and after a rocky start, they're finally showing why. Rishabh Pant has been electric against Chennai, striking at 152, the third-best strike rate by any batter against CSK in IPL history with three fifties in his last four meetings. Nicholas Pooran, after a dreadful start to the season, has exploded back to form with back-to-back impactful knocks since being promoted to No. 3, a position where he averages 39.6 at a strike rate of 192 in IPL. Mitchell Marsh adds firepower at the top and is coming off a brilliant ton, while the real revelation has been Prince Yadav, the young pacer has taken 16 wickets this season, with an economy of just 8.08. On a Chepauk track that historically slows down, LSG's pace-heavy attack will need to be at its absolute best against a Chennai lineup that thrives in these conditions.

The Samson factor - Chennai Super Kings have found their rhythm at the perfect time, and at the heart of their resurgence stands Sanju Samson with three POTM awards. He is enjoying his best IPL season, averaging 57.4 while striking at 168, numbers that comfortably eclipse his previous campaigns. Against Lucknow specifically, Samson has been a nightmare, averaging 66.7, the highest by any batter against the franchise in IPL history with unbeaten half-centuries in each of his last two innings against them. Around him, Kartik Sharma has provided middle order muscle, while Ruturaj Gaikwad has been steady at the top but the other big names need to step up now. On the bowling front, Noor Ahmad has been their quiet assassin alongside Akeal Hosein, but Kamboj has stolen the spotlight with his breakout season, sitting at 17 wickets.

Yellow and Blue collide - The MA Chidambaram Stadium, where the sea breeze meets the roar of a million voices is ready for another high-stakes drama. It's Match 53 of IPL 2026, and the Chennai Super Kings are hosting the Lucknow Super Giants in a contest that pits history against hunger. Chennai have won three of their last four and are looking every bit the Chepauk masters they've always been. Lucknow, meanwhile, snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over RCB and are desperate to claw their way back into playoff contention, though not entirely in their hands. On that note, welcome to our coverage of what is expected to be a blockbuster.

... MATCH DAY ...

Chepauk awaits - We are down to Match 53 of the 2026 Indian Premier League, where the Chennai Super Kings take on the Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Interestingly, this will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, and the very next game both teams play after this clash will be the reverse fixture. CSK will be looking to build further momentum and complete a hat-trick of wins, while LSG arrive knowing there is virtually no margin for error left in their playoff push. Sanju driving CSK forward - Chennai endured a difficult start to the season with three defeats on the trot, but they have since turned things around impressively with 5 wins in their next 7 matches. Sanju Samson's influence has been central to that resurgence. Such has been the Samson effect this season that every time he has scored more than 40 runs (115*, 48, 101* and 87*), CSK have gone on to win. After a quiet start to the tournament, where he managed just 58 runs in his first five innings, Kartik Sharma has stepped up with a couple of impactful knocks in successful chases, easing some of the burden on Samson. Questions around batting - There remains a bit of concern around skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Apart from his back-to-back fifties earlier in the campaign, consistency has eluded him. Urvil Patel has not quite had the same impact at number three that Ayush Mhatre managed during his stint, although the intent has certainly been there. CSK will also hope for stronger contributions from the likes of Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube in the middle order. Rising through responsibility - Anshul Kamboj had a rare off day against the Delhi Capitals in the previous game, but he has undoubtedly been CSK's standout performer this season. With 17 wickets already to his name, this has comfortably been his best IPL season, having picked up 8 wickets in the entire 2025 campaign. His rise has come at an important time as CSK have had to deal with injuries to Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed. Survival mode for Lucknow - Languishing at the bottom of the table with just 3 wins in 10 games, the Super Giants have their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They kept themselves alive with that dramatic win over the defending champions. With four games left, they need to keep winning to stay in the race. That victory over RCB also ended a six-game losing streak and marked their first home win after eight consecutive defeats in Lucknow. Signs of life with the bat - Bowling has unquestionably been LSG's biggest strength this season, while the batting has often let them down. However, Mitchell Marsh comes into this game on the back of a century, while Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant chipped in with useful cameos in the last outing. The musical chairs at the top of the order have continued for Lucknow, with Josh Inglis' absence against RCB due to an injury forcing them into a fifth different opening combination of the season. Lucknow will hope Inglis is fit enough to return soon. The rise of Prince - Lucknow's pace attack has been among the better-performing units this season. The younger quicks have complemented veteran seamer Mohammad Shami impressively. Prince Yadav, in particular, has shown tremendous growth as a bowler and already has 16 wickets to his name after making his IPL debut in 2025. A niggle kept Mohsin Khan out against RCB, continuing an unfortunate run of injury setbacks for the left-arm pacer. That opened the door for Mayank Yadav's return, but it has been a difficult comeback so far. While the pace has certainly been there after his lengthy injury layoff, he is yet to pick up a wicket, with the young quick conceding 106 runs across two games so far. Form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - CSK - WWLWL | LSG - WLLLL. What to expect? This will be the second and final afternoon game of the season at Chepauk. The earlier afternoon fixture saw Gujarat restrict Chennai to 158 before chasing it down with minimal fuss, with the surface getting slightly better to bat on in the second innings. That could once influence the captain winning the toss to opt to bowl first, despite the physical toll fielding in the Chennai heat can take. Interestingly, Chepauk has offered good pace and bounce this season, continuing a trend seen during the T20 World Cup as well. That has reflected in the numbers too, with 35 of the 50 wickets to fall in Chennai this season going to the pacers. All the ingredients are in place for a fascinating contest at Chepauk. Whose side are you on?