Lucknow Super Giants batter Josh Inglis was back in the starting XI for a high-stakes IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, and he wasted little time announcing his return. The Australian wicketkeeper-batter, who had missed the previous fixture due to injury, delivered a decisive knock as LSG set the tone early.
Inglis had joined the campaign partway through the season. He had appeared against Mumbai Indians earlier, but couldn’t find momentum in that game, and then sustained an injury during the same match—ruling him out of the next outing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Inglis fires after injury layoff
After recovering, Inglis returned against CSK and produced one of the standout innings for LSG this season. From the first overs he played with intent, making the most of fielding restrictions and getting to his half-century in only 17 deliveries. His reverse-sweep and paddle-style strokes drew plenty of attention as he took on CSK’s pacers, while his footwork against Akeal Hosein helped him keep the scoreboard moving.
The knock was also notable in the LSG record books, with the 17-ball fifty ranking as the third-fastest fifty in IPL history for the franchise. Inglis didn’t slow down after reaching the milestone—he carried that aggression forward into the bigger total.
At a glance
- Josh Inglis returned to LSG’s playing XI vs CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
- He reached a half-century in 17 balls, featuring reverse paddle shots and strong footwork vs Akeal Hosein.
- The fifty was LSG’s third-fastest in IPL history.
- Inglis struck 85 off 33 balls; LSG made 91 runs in the powerplay.
- LSG reached the 50-run mark in 3.4 overs, matching their quickest team fifty vs Chennai from 2023.
- CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to field first.
Inglis launched his innings immediately, taking 16 runs off Hosein in the opening over—featuring two fours and a six. Even when Mitchell Marsh, who had scored a hundred in the previous match, departed early, the Australian kept attacking and maintained a high run rate.
By the time his spell ended, Inglis had blazed 85 off 33 deliveries, powering LSG to a rapid start and forcing CSK to chase momentum rather than structure. LSG also posted 91/1 in the powerplay, underlining how much of the chase-or-defend debate was tilted in their favour from early on.
Fastest LSG fifties in the IPL
The innings added another layer to LSG’s franchise record for quick starts. The list of fastest fifties for Lucknow in the IPL, by balls faced, is as follows:
- 15 — Nicholas Pooran vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2023
- 16 — Nicholas Pooran vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2026
- 17 — Josh Inglis vs CSK, Chennai, 2026
- 18 — Nicholas Pooran vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025
- 19 — Nicholas Pooran vs MI, Mumbai, 2024
LSG’s chase of a big total began with precision. They moved to 50 in just 3.4 overs against CSK, equalling their fastest team fifty against Chennai that they had set in 2023. The early acceleration ensured CSK’s bowlers had to respond to a rising workload rather than settling into their lengths.
CSK opt to bowl after the toss
Before LSG began their assault, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to field first. The decision didn’t pay off, as LSG’s powerplay dominance—headline-hitting at 91/1—became the platform for the innings.
LSG’s highest powerplay totals against the board in IPL history show how consistent their early surge has been. Their best powerplay scores are: 91/1 versus CSK in Chennai (2026), 90/1 versus MI in Mumbai (2026), 80/1 versus CSK in Chennai (2023), 77/1 versus SRH in Hyderabad (2025), and 74/2 versus PBKS in Mohali (2023).
