CSK vs LSG Toss & Playing XI, IPL 2026: Chennai Wins Toss and Opts to Bowl First in Match 53

The action moves to Chepauk for match number 53 of IPL 2026 with Chennai Super Kings taking on the Lucknow Super Giants in a massive clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Both sides head into the game with the playoffs now hotting up, and know that nothing less than a win will suffice. The Super Kings have put their poor early season run behind them to return into contention, while the Super Giants keep their dreams alive after a stunning victory against the defending champions in RCB.

Chennai Super Kings have quietly built up a head of steam in recent weeks having won three of their last four matches to enter the playoff picture, whilst Sanju Samson has continued his blistering form with young Kartik Sharma coming of age in the side. Chennai will be wanting big contributions from Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube while the bowling attack looks much more balanced. Super Giants may be having a difficult season but possess an explosive line-up and with Mitchell Marsh finding form again with his hundred against RCB, combined with Nicholas Pooran coming in at three, the Super Giants will approach this crucial phase in the tournament with a lot of confidence.

As has been seen so often in the past at Chepauk, the pitch is expected to be playing a large role. It's likely to be a red soil pitch that could be quite pacey throughout, though if it doesn't take the spin very much then it may be a little slower. Chennai have been blessed with some cooler weather over the last couple of weeks thanks to some rainfall, although the match forecast is clear. It may play to Super Giants' strengths, who possess a lot of fire-power in their pace attack, though Chennai will know what to do on their home ground and hope to continue their run. It promises to be a fascinating match.

At the toss, Chennai have won and chose to bowl first. The home side goes unchanged, keeping the winning combination intact, while Pant confirms two changes as Inglis and Avesh comes in after missing out the last game.

Here's what the captains said at the toss:

Ruturaj Gaikwad:

"We're going to bowl first. The simple reason, the wicket has been covered for a while and there was a rain around as well, so nothing special. (Does the pitch play differently in day matches?) Yes, it does play differently. The other day game I thought it played too much differently than what we had expected. But I think our job is to adapt quickly as possible and try and do the rest. Bowling first, we will try and assess the couple of overs and then after that look to restrict them as soon as possible. (Mood in the dressing room) Yes, it's pretty much positive how the last 7-8 games have gone for us. To turn it around after the first three games that we lost, it's a commendable effort from everyone. It is just that everyone is really positive. Everyone is really eager to turn it around and just try and keep it just as simple as possible. We are playing with the same team."

Rishabh Pant:

"We would have bowled first as well. We're definitely trying to look at each and every match from here. But at the same time, we've got to be consistent and look to play good cricket. I think just looking to play good cricket as of now. We had our moments. We had our chances in a lot of games but we couldn't finish it up . And that's the learning for us - as we move forward in the tournament, that's the only thing, like I said in Mumbai that we're going to give our 200% regardless of every match. And we're trying to do that. We have two changes in the team. Josh Inglis comes in because he was injured in the last game, and Avesh comes in for Mayank."

CSK vs LSG Playing XI

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary

CSK Impact subs: Gurjapneet Singh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Madhwal

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Aiden Markram, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav

LSG Impact subs: Mukul Choudhary, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, M Siddharth, Mayank Yadav