Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) comfortably defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by seven wickets in Match 59 of the IPL 2026 season at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (May 15).
Kartik Sharma (71 off 42) and Shivam Dube (32* off 16) rescued CSK after an early top-order collapse, propelling the team to 187/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
In reply, LSG overhauled the target with 20 deliveries to spare. Mitchell Marsh blasted 90 runs off just 38 balls, sharing a dominant 135-run opening stand with Josh Inglis (36 off 32). Nicholas Pooran sealed the chase with an explosive 32* off 17 balls.
Despite the win, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant reflected on the disappointing IPL 2026 campaign while speaking at the post-match presentation.
Having recorded just four wins in 12 games, the Super Giants are currently languishing in the bottom of the points table. They have already been knocked out of the playoffs race.
“It feels good. Getting a win definitely feels good. There are things we talk about, that there is a lot to play for, regardless of where our season ends. We take a lot of pride in playing this way,” Pant said.
Akash Singh was the pick of the bowlers for LSG, returning with the figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs. Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel were his victims.
Pant was effusive in praise of Akash, stating: “See, definitely he's been working hard throughout IPL. You know that sometimes it's harder to give everyone a game. But when people are preparing really well and he's one guy, who stick to the plan more often than going anywhere else. So yeah, definitely it paid off. The way he bowled, stick to the plan for a longer period of time. That's really good to see.”
LSG experimented by opening the innings with two Australian overseas players, Marsh and Inglis. The move worked flawlessly as the duo took the CSK bowling attack to the cleaners.
Reflecting on the decision, Pant remarked: “Definitely that was the first thought that, getting two overseas players to open the inning and Nicky batted number three. That was the idea, sometimes it's difficult when thought process is not being implemented all the time. But at the same time we take pride and we are confident as a team. The only thing I would say is, it's frustrating when you know what you have as a team, just because of little thought process here and there and you can't implement things the way you want, things can happen.”
Asked whether LSG were close to cracking a successful formula at their home ground, the captain said: "We are working out and it's been working for us, four fast bowlers, especially in the home condition, depending on the opposition we play, definitely works out for us. As at the same time, the team we have, I'm going to say this again, it's so amazing. The only thing gonna can harm us [is] having too many processes."
Rishabh Pant explained the decision to not bat against CSK, citing that he wanted to give underutilized squad players a chance to spend time in the middle.
“I was ready to bat and the idea came up, I was in the dressing room, the idea came in like, why not try players who have not played much, they haven't got much chances. And that was the idea, I was thinking again and again, should I do it or not? Because I still wanted to be out there in the field, but sometimes you have to respect the think tanks decision. So that's the thing,” he concluded.
