Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by 7 wickets in IPL 2026 race

Chennai Super Kings’ hopes of securing a place in the IPL 2026 playoffs took a major hit after they lost by seven wickets to Lucknow Super Giants on Friday at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Chasing 188, Mitchell Marsh struck 90 off 38 balls as Lucknow reached the target in 16.4 overs, completing the win with 18 balls to spare and forcing CSK to make their remaining fixtures count.

CSK’s innings had been built around a late recovery after a top-order wobble. Akash Singh, playing his first match of the season, dismissed CSK’s top three within the first eight overs and finished with figures of 3 for 26. Kartik Sharma then steadied the innings, scoring 71, while Dewald Brevis contributed 25. Shivam Dube added momentum with a 32-ball cameo to help CSK post 187 for 5.

In the chase, Marsh and Josh Inglis combined to set the tone early with a 135-run opening stand. Marsh accelerated sharply in the middle overs and punished short balls, including an over where he hit Anshul Kamboj for four consecutive sixes. Inglis made 36, providing support before both openers were dismissed in the 12th over, but Lucknow already had the chase largely under control. Nicholas Pooran then...