Chennai Super Kings slipped to sixth place in the IPL 2026 points table after suffering a seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Friday, as Mitchell Marsh produced a brutal 38-ball 90 to power the hosts in a dominant chase. LSG, despite being already eliminated from playoff contention, chased down CSK’s 187 for five with ease to register a statement win.

The chase was effectively decided by a blazing opening stand of 135 runs between Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis (36 off 31 balls), which dismantled CSK’s bowling attack. LSG raced to 86 without loss in the powerplay, turning a slightly two-paced surface into a high-scoring track through sheer aggression. CSK’s bowlers struggled to extract consistent assistance, repeatedly missing lengths and offering pace-on deliveries that were punished.

Marsh was at the centre of the carnage, striking the ball cleanly and aggressively from the outset. He tore into Anshul Kamboj in a 28-run over that included four consecutive sixes, setting the tone early. The Australian all-rounder brought up his fifty off just 21 deliveries and continued to accelerate, targeting both pacers and spinners with equal ease as LSG maintained relentless scoring pressure.

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The momentum remained firmly with Lucknow even after Inglis fell after edging a Mukesh Choudhary delivery, and Marsh himself departed in unfortunate fashion following a deflection that led to a run-out at the non-striker’s end. Nicholas Pooran then finished the chase in explosive style, smashing four consecutive sixes off Kamboj, who endured a difficult spell and ended with expensive figures of 2.4-0-63-0.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive 187 for five, but their innings began poorly after being reduced to 52 for three inside 7.2 overs. Left-arm pacer Akash Singh led LSG’s bowling effort with figures of 3 for 26, dismissing Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Urvil through disciplined hard-length bowling that denied CSK’s top order room to free their arms.

CSK were stabilised by Kartik Sharma, who scored a composed 71 off 42 balls, and Dewald Brevis, who added 25 in a 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kartik showed particular strength against spin and brought up his fifty with a six off Mohammed Shami, but both set batters fell before they could accelerate further, leaving CSK short of finishing momentum despite their earlier recovery.

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