Lucknow Super Giants defeated Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in their IPL 2026 match in Lucknow on Friday, riding on a destructive innings from Mitchell Marsh and a late assault from Nicholas Pooran. Chasing 188, Marsh led the charge with 90 off just 38 balls and shared a 135-run opening partnership with Josh Inglis, putting the chase firmly in LSG’s control. While Inglis played the supporting role, Marsh dominated the CSK bowling attack from the start. He targeted Anshul Kamboj heavily, smashing him for 28 runs in one over as Lucknow raced to 86 runs in the powerplay. Marsh kept finding boundaries regularly and brought up 90 in just 38 deliveries before CSK briefly fought back with three wickets for nine runs, including both openers. However, Pooran sealed the game in brutal fashion. After struggling initially, the left-hander smashed four consecutive sixes off Kamboj to finish the match in the 17th over itself. Kamboj ended up conceding eight sixes in the innings, equalling the IPL record for most sixes conceded by a bowler in a single innings alongside Yash Dayal against KKR in Ahmedabad in 2023. At the halfway stage, CSK’s 187 for five looked competitive, but LSG’s aggressive batting made the target look much smaller as they completed the chase with 20 balls remaining. Earlier, Chennai recovered well after early setbacks through Kartik Sharma, who scored 71. CSK were reduced to 52 for three in 7.2 overs after LSG bowlers used hard lengths effectively, with Akash Singh taking three wickets for 26 runs. Kartik and Dewald Brevis added 70 runs for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings. Kartik looked uncomfortable against short balls around chest and chin height but managed to settle in and counterattack. He first took on spinner Shahbaz Ahmed with a six before hitting another maximum and two boundaries in succession. Kartik then reached his fifty in 35 balls by hitting Mohammed Shami for six. Shami eventually dismissed Brevis with a short ball that resulted in a catch for Akash Singh. Kartik also fell soon after, lofting Shahbaz Ahmed straight to Aiden Markram at long-on after making 71 off 42 balls. Shivam Dube then provided late momentum with 32 off 16 balls, including big hits in the final over bowled by Prince Yadav, which went for 23 runs.Brief Scores:Chennai Super Kings: 187 for 5 in 20 overs (Kartik Sharma 71, Shivam Dube 32 not out; Akash Singh 3/26).Lucknow Super Giants: 188 for 3 in 16.4 overs (Mitchell Marsh 90; Mukesh Choudhary 1/24).
