Mukul Choudhary To Return? LSG Strongest XI vs CSK For IPL 2026, Match 53

Mukul Choudhary for LSG [Source: AP]

The Lucknow Super Giants are set to take on the Chennai Super Kings for the CSK vs LSG IPL 2026 clash at the Chepauk Stadium on Sunday, May 10. This will be their first encounter in this edition of the tournament, and the teams will be ready to give a tough challenge to each other.

LSG is virtually out of the playoff race in IPL 2026. They don’t have much at stake in the game, but Rishabh Pant’s men will fight for pride and for putting a deliberate obstacle in CSK’s course to reach the playoffs.

However, taking on CSK at their Chepauk fortress won’t be easy. LSG is coming off after defeating the table toppers, RCB, at Ekana and will be confident.

However, the Chepauk turner will be a serious threat to the bottom-placed team on the points table. Hence, ahead of the CSK vs LSG clash, let’s take a look at the strongest LSG Playing XI the team can field against the Chennai Super Kings.

LSG Playing XI vs CSK - IPL 2026, Match 53

Top Order- Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (C & WK)

Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh are the match-winning combo LSG needs against CSK. The afternoon match will see these prime top-order duos take on the CSK bowling attack from the very start.

Aiden Markram has built his repute as an explosive opener quite well in the IPL, and his heroics will be relied upon by LSG at Chepauk. Interestingly, against Chennai, Markram has one half-century to his name and a decent strike rate of 132.7.

Mitchell Marsh, another prime opener for Lucknow, who currently averages 36.7 in IPL 2026, will be a menace for CSK’s opening bowlers. In IPL, Marsh boasts a strike rate of 151.1 in powerplay overs from the 42 matches he has played, which underlines his efficiency with the bat.

The Marsh and Markram duo together have been responsible for 736 runs for Lucknow at an average of 38.73, and have the second-highest partnership runs for the team of all time.

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At No. 3 in the LSG Playing XI vs CSK, Nicholas Pooran will be primed. Although he hasn’t been at his best this season, his last two appearances against MI and RCB were super productive. Moreover, at Chepauk, Pooran boasts a strike rate of 194.1 and hence, will be a brute force for the bowlers to deal with.

Rishabh Pant, the skipper, will follow next in the LSG Playing XI vs CSK. Pant’s form, too, hasn’t been super impressive this season; however, he has played responsible knocks this season to counterattack opponents. Pant will be a solid option to anchor any mishaps at the top and will also serve as a solid transition between the top and middle order.

Middle Order and All-Rounders- Ayush Badoni, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Shahbaz Ahmed

Ayush Badoni will be a productive middle-order aggressor for the team. At No. 5, Badoni has an average of 28.92 in IPL, and he also has the experience to salvage an innings during crunch situations. Therefore, his inclusion will further strengthen the team’s batting depth.

Mukul Choudhary, the shining prospect for the team, might make his return in the LSG Playing XI vs CSK. Benched for the last two matches, Choudhary has the potential to hit big and clear the ropes as seen in the tense KKR vs LSG thriller early this season. However, he might get his place at No. 6 as an impact substitute while chasing.

George Linde, the Proteas all-rounder, will be a useful addition for the Chepauk turner. Linde has played 3 matches so far in IPL 2026; the management might consider him for his useful left-arm spin in the afternoon clash. He is also a crafty lower-order hitter and will further strengthen the batting depth.

Shahbaz Ahmed will be another addition in the spin department who can occasionally pack big hits with the bat. Although he hasn’t been much useful with the bat this season, his all-rounder ability in the LSG Playing XI makes him a suitable option for LSG to strengthen their arsenal against a win-hungry CSK.

Bowlers- Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi

The bowling unit has been one of the strongest areas of LSG this season. With veterans and rising stars in their bag, Lucknow is set to boast a solid challenge in front of the hosts.

Mohammed Shami should be leading the pace department alongside Prince Yadav. Both Shami and Yadav have been super productive with the ball this season, with their 9 and 16 wickets respectively.

From the Impact Substitute option, either Mohsin Khan or Avesh Khan can make their shot since they are also a crucial part of LSG’s match-turning pace bowling unit.

The spin department is already bolstered with all-rounders Linde and Shahbaz and will be led by Digvesh Singh Rathi. Rathi might be a solid weapon at Chepauk with his variations since he will be confident after handing LSG a thrilling victory against RCB in their last encounter.