Lucknow Super Giants secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 encounter in Lucknow on Friday, propelled by a blistering innings from Mitchell Marsh and a late onslaught from Nicholas Pooran. Chasing a target of 188, Marsh anchored the chase with a scintillating 90 off just 38 balls, sharing a 135-run opening partnership with Josh Inglis that put LSG firmly in control. While Inglis played a supporting role, Marsh dominated the CSK bowling attack from the outset, particularly targeting Anshul Kamboj by smashing 28 runs in a single over as Lucknow raced to 86 runs in the powerplay.
Marsh continued to find boundaries regularly, bringing up his 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 a slow start, 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, equaling 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 had looked competitive, but LSG’s aggressive batting made the target appear much smaller as they completed the chase with 20 balls to spare. Earlier, Chennai recovered well after early setbacks thanks to 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.
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