Chennai Super Kings were handed a seven-wicket defeat by Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2026 match at Lucknow on May 15. CSK managed 187 for 5 after batting first, but Lucknow completed the chase in 16.4 overs. The result also sparked fresh debate about CSK’s tactics, with former India opener Virender Sehwag taking aim at captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy and bowling choices.
CSK vs LSG: the chase and the key tactical call
- CSK batted first and put up a total of 187 for 5.
- Lucknow chased the target and reached it in 16.4 overs, winning by seven wickets.
- At the start of Lucknow’s innings, CSK named Gurjapneet Singh as an Impact Player.
- In the opening phase, CSK pacers Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson and Anshul Kamboj bowled to Lucknow openers Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis during the first six overs.
- Marsh and Inglis dominated the power phase, stitching together an 86-run partnership without losing a wicket.
- Right after the Powerplay, Ruturaj Gaikwad brought on spinner Noor Ahmad.
- Noor Ahmad responded with exceptional economy, finishing with 0 for 21 in his four overs, the best figures for CSK in the innings.
Sehwag questions Gaikwad’s captaincy and Impact Player selection
Sehwag criticised CSK’s decision-making, particularly the timing of spin and the choice of Gurjapneet Singh as the Impact Player instead of Akeal Hosein. He argued that with two Australian batters in the middle, CSK should have attacked the situation with spin earlier.
In his remarks, Sehwag said it did not make sense to plan in advance for Gurjapneet, suggesting that CSK could have initiated the bowling with spin given the way Marsh and Inglis were handling pace. He also pointed to the lack of spin during the Powerplay, saying CSK failed to even attempt it despite an opportunity to press for wickets.
Sehwag added that even if the spinner had been struck for boundaries, the wicket-taking chance early in the innings would have been valuable because Lucknow’s middle order was not functioning effectively at the time. He further suggested that Noor Ahmad could have been introduced during the Powerplay itself, and that replacing Gurjapneet with Akeal Hosein would have been a more suitable move.
Playoff race update
Despite the defeat, CSK remain in contention for the playoffs, sitting on 12 points from as many matches. Sehwag’s comments came after the result, but the bigger picture for CSK is still positive—if they win their remaining two games, they are expected to book a place in the next round.
