Players from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) marked the start of their IPL 2026 encounter at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow with a minute’s silence and black armbands. The tribute came in memory of people who lost their lives in the recent storms that battered Uttar Pradesh over the past few days. CSK’s official social media page posted a message of unity and remembrance ahead of the toss.
Quick facts
- Match: Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2026
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Pre-match tribute: One-minute silence and black armbands for storm victims in Uttar Pradesh
- Toss: Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bowl first
- LSG changes: Akash Singh, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary brought into the playing XI
- CSK update: Spencer Johnson to debut; Gurjapneet Singh replaces Akeal Hosein during the bowling innings
After the tribute, the focus shifted to the contest itself. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant won the toss and elected to bowl first against CSK. For CSK, a win would move them into the top four of the points table and strengthen their chances of reaching the playoffs. LSG, meanwhile, are already out of the title race and are treating the remaining games as opportunities to finish with pride.
Captains’ thoughts
Speaking after the toss, Pant said the surface looked slightly tacky and added that LSG didn’t need to rush into batting first. He emphasized the team’s approach is built on trust and that they are looking ahead with a few experiments for the next season. Pant also noted that while there’s no escaping the way the campaign has unfolded, the squad is still able to take positives and remain determined to improve.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said Spencer Johnson would take his place for the franchise after Jamie Overton was ruled out due to injury. Gaikwad also confirmed that Gurjapneet Singh came in as Akeal Hosein was replaced during CSK’s bowling phase. The CSK captain highlighted the importance of executing both bat and ball at a venue where conditions demand quality starts.
What both teams said about conditions
Gaikwad pointed to a bit of moisture at the beginning, but argued that if CSK can start well and aim for something in the 170–180 range, the target would become difficult to chase. Pant’s comments aligned with a similar theme—if the wicket behaves differently than expected, the team’s best plan is to adjust quickly and stick to the basics.
Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary.
Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Mukul Choudhary, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh, Prince Yadav.
With LSG already outside playoff contention and CSK pushing hard for a top-four spot, the match promises an intense battle under the added weight of the pre-game tribute. Follow live coverage for ball-by-ball action and the latest updates from the IPL 2026 season, including the points race and the hunt for the Orange and Purple Caps.
