IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 59 - Who Said What?

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) won their clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by seven wickets at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday, May 15.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field first. Akash Singh, playing his first game of the season, dismissed the CSK top three while bowling four overs on the trot. His burst with the new ball forced Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis to do a rebuilding job.

The wicketkeeper-batter played wonderfully, showing maturity beyond his years. He took calculated risks, while Brevis was more aggressive in the middle. Their partnership yielded 70 runs off 44 balls to bring CSK back in the game.

After Kartik and Brevis were dismissed in quick succession, Shivam Dube played a crucial cameo of 32* off 16 balls as CSK finished on 187/5.

In reply, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis got LSG off to a fantastic start. The former was the aggressor, hitting boundaries for fun inside the power play. They added 135 runs in 70 balls before being dismissed off consecutive deliveries.

Marsh was unfortunately run-out at the non-striker's end. Abdul Samad was also dismissed cheaply but Nicholas Pooran and Mukul Choudhary took the hosts home in 16.4 overs. Pooran hit four consecutive sixes off Anshul Kamboj to finish the match in 16.4 overs.

Talking Points:

1) Mitchell Marsh slams CSK

Mitchell Marsh was in sublime form on Friday, middling almost every ball coming his way. He hit Anshul Kamboj for four back-to-back sixes in one over. His 38-ball stay at the crease yielded 90 runs, as he hit nine fours and seven sixes.

2) Kartik Sharma shines again

Kartik Sharma played a wonderful knock under pressure, showing that he belongs on this stage. The 20-year-old gave himself some time in the middle and was very aggressive against spinner Shahbaz Ahmed. During his 42-ball 71, Kartik belted six fours and five sixes.

3) Akash Singh reigns supreme

Left-arm seamer Akash Singh played his first match in IPL 2026 and dismissed CSK's top three batters. He finished with stunning figures of 3/26, bowling four overs in a row. Akash's hustle and aggressive approach were wonderful to watch. The 24-year-old got the ball to swing and also mixed it up with some well-directed bouncers.

Who said what?

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings (Losing Captain)

I felt there was a bit of something for the fast bowlers. You know, when we batted, we found it difficult to hit it off the hard lengths probably, their bowlers executed it really well. But I think we were looking at 160 or 170 and we ended up getting 180. So I thought, probably nothing much better we could have done from a batting point of view, but I think credit to them. They batted really well and never know if the pitch got better or not, but I think they played some extraordinary shots. (Talking about bowling short balls) We were looking but you know, Josh Inglis, he played differently last game. So we had to come up with a plan and definitely Mitch Marsh is someone who plays the short ball really well. So I think we were just looking to hit that hard length, proper test match length. We felt that there was something, ball was nibbling around well, but I think he hit some really good shots. We missed on execution on a few areas or a few balls as well, but I think they played some extraordinary shots. But I think looking back, after the opening batters fell, we felt that the coming batters found it really difficult to start with as well. So I think, yes, there was something a bit still in the hard length, both their openers batted brilliantly once again. (Asked about number of injuries) Well, sometimes the opposition can play good cricket than you, so you just have to accept it. I think last game they still played better cricket than us to start off, but we came back really well. So we showed some character. Even today, I think from a batting point of view, a young boy Kartik, showing that confidence, getting that 70 or 80 odd was really good to see. So, as a unit, as I said, you know, middle order was something still we were lacking. But going into the last couple of games of the tournament, I think I'm really confident that, right from a batting point of view, we have started to click and bowling, we are doing really well. Just off day today, but going into the couple of games, I'm really confident on the side. (How do you face the next two games?) Well, first challenge is getting to Chennai. It's a long flight. After that, just make sure we come back and improve what are the areas we need to improve and yes, try and adapt and assess the conditions as quickly as possible and it is a simple calculation for us. Win each and every game for how much ever games we play. So I think nothing simple. I mean, it is simple, nothing complicated. So quite easy here on for us. Nothing to worry about. Just make sure we have a good day. Make it count whoever has a good day and hope that we hope that we turn the things around.

Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants (Winning Captain)

It feels good. Getting a win definitely feels good. Regardless the way our season there's lot to play for. He has been working hard throughout the IPL, sometimes it is hard to give everyone a game, it paid off, the way he bowled and stuck to the plan. That was the first thought to get two overseas players to open and Nicky to bat at three. We are working out, four fast bowlers are working in the home conditions. The team we have is so amazing, the only thing that can hurt us is overthinking. The idea came like to try players who have not had much chances, I still wanted to be out there, but sometimes you have to respect the decisions from the think tank.

Mitchell Marsh, Player of the Match

Nice to get a win. There have been few and far for us this season. We have great people within this group, some great young kids. I love it. He takes the pressure off me and grown up playing for Western Australia, it was a good partnership. Having experience, it is a red soil pitch and it will do a little in the first 2-3 overs. Cricket is a funny game, isn't it? I have had a bit of bad luck, I enjoying being out there with the boys.