IPL Preview | CSK vs LSG

The IPL juggernaut continues to roll on as Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants lock horns at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Monday, April 3rd, in the sixth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

It was a lacklustre start to the tournament for Chennai Super Kings as they suffered a five-wicket defeat against the defending champions Gujarat Titans in their opening match at Ahmedabad.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the only batter to make an impact for CSK in the opening game, as the rest of the team struggled to get going with the bat. With the exception of debutant Rajvardhan Hangargekar's three-wicket haul on his debut, CSK's bowling performance was also below par.

The Super Kings are back at their home ground after a couple of years, and they're hungry to make a big impact. With the presence of three top-quality spinners in their lineup - Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mitchell Santner - CSK will be looking to exploit the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk.

Meanwhile, the fast bowling duties will be entrusted to Deepak Chahar and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. One area of concern for them is their death bowling, as Ben Stokes is not bowling for the first half of the tournament and Dwaine Pretorius is struggling for consistency.

Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, are high on confidence after their convincing 50-run win over Delhi Capitals in their opening match. With key players like Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mark Wood, and Ravi Bishnoi firing on all cylinders, they will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the tournament.

KL Rahul may have had a slow start to the tournament, but his consistent run-scoring in previous editions of the IPL suggests he won't stay silent for long. With his prowess against spin, all eyes will be on him to provide a fiery start to his team in the upcoming match.

Though Lucknow Super Giants look like the more balanced side, Chennai Super Kings will be no pushovers playing at their home ground, Chepauk, where they have a proven track record. All in all, it’s shaping up to be an exciting contest between two teams on Monday.

Probable Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk;), Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Mark Wood, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Jaydev Unadkat.

Pitch Report

Chepauk's surface has a long standing reputation for being supportive to spinners, and Monday's game is unlikely to be an exception. With two teams boasting strong spin bowlers, it's bound to be an enthralling T20 contest, with success depending on who can take advantage of the conditions most effectively.

Given the historical trend at this venue, it's likely that the team winning the toss will opt to bat first, as this has been the more successful strategy in the majority of matches played here.

Pitch Stats

Total matches: 6
Matches won batting first: 5
Matches won bowling first: 1
Average 1st innings scores: 150
Average 2nd innings scores: 119

Highest total recorded: 182/4 (20 Ov) by IND vs WI
Lowest total recorded: 80/10 (17.5 Ov) by PAKW vs ENGW
Highest score chased; 182/4 (20 Ov) by IND vs WI
Lowest score defended: 103/8 (20 Ov) by WIW vs PAKW

Head-to-Head

Total Matches Played: 1
LSG Won: 1
CSK Won: 0

Form Update (Last 10 IPL innings)

Top Fantasy Picks

Chennai Super Kings

Ravindra Jadeja: As an established all-rounder in the lucrative league with over 2000 runs and 133 wickets, Jadeja is an excellent pick for any fantasy team. Moreover, his track record at Chepauk makes him an especially compelling choice for this encounter, with the conditions likely to favour his game.

Moeen Ali: As one of the top all-rounders in the cash-rich league, Moeen Ali has consistently performed well with both bat and ball, scoring 933 runs and taking 45 wickets in the tournament. He is a valuable asset for the Super Kings, particularly in a match that's likely to favour spinners.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: He was the only standout performer in the CSK batting line-up in their opening match, scoring 92 runs against the star-studded bowling lineup of Gujarat Titans. Being adept at playing both spin and pace, he's expected to be a crucial player for the home team.

Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul: Although Rahul didn't have a great start in the opening match against Delhi Capitals, his track record in the cash-rich league speaks for itself and it would be unfair to underestimate him for now. With his ability to take on both pace and spin, he will be a vital cog for the Super Giants in this match.

Mark Wood: His debut for Lucknow Super Giants was nothing short of phenomenal, as he claimed a five-wicket haul in the opening match against Delhi Capitals. His stellar form with the ball will be the key for the Super Giants in this match.

Ravi Bishnoi: He made a quick impact in the last match against Delhi Capitals after a long time away from the field, picking up two wickets and bowling at an economy of under eight. With the conditions at Chepauk favouring spin, Bishnoi's spin prowess will be key to Lucknow Super Giants’ success in this match.

Fantasy XI