CSK vs LSG Toss: No MS Dhoni Again; Josh Inglis Included As Ruturaj Gaikwad Wins The Toss

Ruturaj Gaikwad Wins The Toss (Source: Screengrab from JioStar)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are hosting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 53 of the ongoing IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. While both teams are currently placed in the bottom half of the points table, their journeys this season have been very different. 

Chennai Super Kings still remain strongly in contention for a playoff spot, while Lucknow Super Giants are hanging by a thread after a disappointing campaign.

CSK and LSG's tournament so far

After a poor start to the tournament, CSK have managed to turn things around impressively. The ‘Yellow Army’ have bounced back with five victories in 10 matches and are now pushing hard for a place in the playoffs.

The five-time champions know that every remaining match is crucial. With back-to-back games scheduled against LSG, CSK see this as a golden opportunity to strengthen their playoff chances.

For LSG, the situation is far more difficult. The team has lost seven out of 10 matches and currently sits at the bottom of the table. Another defeat could almost end their already slim playoff hopes.

Also Read: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Pitch Report, Weather Report For CSK vs LSG Match 53, IPL 2026

So, as the excitement is at an all-time high for the CSK vs LSG match, in this article, let's take a look at the toss update and the playing XI's of Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

CSK vs LSG IPL 2026: Playing XIs

Talking about the toss, two captains - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rishabh Pant walked down the middle for the toss. Eventually, CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first.

It is important to mention that CSK is playing with the same XI that played in the last game. On the other hand, LSG has made one change: Josh Inglis comes in for Arshin Kulkarni.

Another significant fact about CSK's playing XI is that MS Dhoni is still not available and has yet to play a single game in IPL 2026.

Toss Update: Chennai Super Kings have won the toss and opted to field first

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

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 vs LSG IPL 2026: Captains Thoughts

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants Captain): "[What would they have done on winning the toss?] We would have bowled first also.

[On must-win games] Definitely, we are trying to win each game. But it's about trying to play good cricket. That's what we are thinking at the moment.

[On the improvements moving ahead in the competition] We had our moments in many games and we couldn't finish the games. We have to learn from those. But we want to stay positive from now. We want to give 200% every time we go out.

[Changes] We have 2 changes. Inglis comes in as he was injured in the last game. And Avesh comes in place of Mayank."

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings Captain): "[On toss decision] We are going to bowl first. I mean, very simple reason. The wicket was under cover for a while. There was rain around as well. So, nothing special.

[Does the pitch in the day game play differently?] Yes, it does play differently. The other day, I thought the game played very differently from what we had expected. But I think our job is to adapt as quickly as possible and try to do the rest. Bowling first, we will try to assess the couple of overs and then look to restrict them as soon as possible.

Also Read: Yograj Singh Scolds Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar Amid BCCI's New Diktat

[How is the mood in the camp?] Pretty much positive about 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 to keep it as simple as possible.

[Team changes] We are playing with the same team."

CSK vs LSG IPL 2026: Impact Subs

Lucknow Super Giants: Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Mayank Yadav, Mukul Choudhary, Manimaran Siddharth

Chennai Super Kings: Gurjapneet Singh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Madhwal

Follow CSK vs LSG Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash