Lucknow: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) produced a commanding 7-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), powered by Mitchell Marsh’s batting masterclass and a fiery bowling spell from Akash Singh in the 59th match of the IPL 2026 season on Friday, 15 May at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
The match began with LSG winning the toss and electing to bowl first. With this decision, the LSG bowlers executed impressively, as Akash Singh dismantled the top order of CSK by taking the wickets of Ruturaj (13) and Sanju Samson (20) inside the powerplay, while also dismissing in-form Urvil Patel (6). After the powerplay, CSK were reeling at 52 after 7.2 overs. Akash delivered an incredible spell, finishing with impressive figures of 3/26 in four overs. After wickets fell early and the scoring rate slowed, CSK came under pressure. Karthik and Dewald Brevis rebuilt the innings with a much-needed 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Karthik played a mature and composed innings, striking the ball confidently while bringing up a well-constructed half-century and continued with a brilliantly aggressive knock of 71 off 42 balls, with 6 fours and 5 sixes. Eventually, Karthik fell, edging Shahbaz Ahmed straight to Aiden Markram at long-on. Momentum briefly shifted towards LSG, but Shivam Dube provided late impetus for CSK in the death overs with a blistering 32 off 16 balls. Courtesy of 23 runs in the final over by Prince Yadav, CSK posted a competitive 187 for 5 in 20 overs.
Chasing 188, CSK faced an early setback as the opening duo launched an aggressive assault, stitching together a massive 135-run opening partnership and adding 86 runs in the powerplay without loss. Mitchell Marsh took charge in the fifth over against Anshul Kamboj, smashing four consecutive sixes and a boundary, collecting 28 runs in the over. He brought up his half-century in just 21 deliveries and went on to play a scintillating knock of 90 off 38 balls, with 9 fours and 7 sixes, before falling run out-narrowly missing out on a century, though firmly establishing himself as the deserving Player of the Match for his brilliant innings. Jason Roy played an excellent supporting role with 36 off 32 balls. The final breakthrough came for CSK in the 12th over when Mukesh Choudhary dismissed both openers in the same over. However, the damage had already been done by the opening partnership. Nicholas Pooran then arrived and sealed the match in style with a stunning finishing cameo of 32 off 17 balls, launching a ruthless assault and smashing four consecutive sixes off Kamboj. Notably, Kamboj ended up conceding eight sixes in the innings, equalling the IPL record for most sixes conceded by a bowler in a single innings, alongside Yash Dayal against KKR in Ahmedabad in 2023.
LSG chased down 188 for 3 comfortably in just 16.8 overs. Although CSK’s 187 for 5 looked competitive, LSG’s masterclass batting made the target appear small and effortless. With this loss, CSK have been pushed down in the playoff race; they now must win their remaining two matches to keep their hopes alive, while LSG have made a strong comeback in the league.
