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In the IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Lucknow Super Giants` (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant has won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow.
The Super Giants have entered the match with four changes. Josh Inglis will make way for Mukul Choudhary, and Abdul Samad will come in place of Himmat Singh. Mayank Yadav and Akash Singh have replaced Digvesh Rathi and Akshat Raghuwanshi.
After winning the toss, LSG`s skipper Pant said, “We`re going to look to bowl first. The wicket is looking a little bit tacky, so just did not need to go out there andbat ourselves. As a team, we have a lot to achieve. We are a team, we run on trust, and that is something we are looking forward to. I think a lot of like Akash is playing today. I think he`s getting his first chance of the season. We are trying a few things for the next season for sure. And just looking to give our 200% regardless of anything”.
“(Does it free you up or does it mean more pressure on you because the performances haven`t been what you wanted?) Definitely, there is no running away from the way we have played this season. But at the same time, there is a lot of positive what we can take because, we are a little frustrated as a team because we know we have it in the team. We can make it happen and sometimes things doesn`t work your way, but at the same time, no complaints from that side. We`ve got to still play good cricket and look to improve ourselves each and every day. (How many other changes do you have to your side?) We have two more changes. Abdul Samad and Mukul also come in,” added the 28-year-old cricketer.
On the other hand, the Super Kings will enter the clash with just one change, where Spencer Johnson will replace Jamie Overton.
CSK`s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said, “It is a privilege to have (the support), privilege to wear the yellow jersery. It`s a kind of venue where you have to bat well and bowl well. So I think, batting first, we still have to put up a good score and we have seen that it has been defended as well. So I think, yes, it might suit, look like [there`s] a bit of a moisture to start with, but I think, if we bat well and score I think around 170-180, it will be a good total to defend. (How are you dealing with all these injuries?) Honestly, it`s tough. Obviously, you have to keep changing a lot, once you find a momentum and once you find a squad, you want to keep going. But this is something which we cannot control and with that said, I think it gives opportunities to a lot of players who want to represent CSK and be part of the IPL. So, whatever replacements we have had, Urvil coming in and at some point of time, Mukesh coming in as well. So that has definitely helped them grow individually as well. And it gives us the confidence going ahead, we know that we have good backups in. So whenever we have a good squad, we are quite confident we`ll deliver. Well, it`s been a must-win since a while now for us. We just want to take one game at a time. Yes, it`s hard to ignore the table, but we want to still keep our eyes down here, as is the pitch, adapt accordingly and make sure we be the best team to adapt it. (Changes?) Yes, we`ve got a couple of changes. Spencer Johnson makes his debut and Gurjapneet comes in for Akeal as well”.
IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings: Confirmed Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Mukul Choudhary, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav.
Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary.
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