IPL 2026: Mitchell Marsh’s fiery 90 powers LSG to win, dents CSK’s playoff hopes

Lucknow Super Giants dealt a significant blow to Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 playoff hopes with a commanding seven-wicket win at the Ekana Stadium on Friday (May 15), powered by a sensational innings from Mitchell Marsh. Chasing 188, LSG completed the target with 20 balls to spare, thanks to Marsh’s 90, along with useful contributions from Josh Inglis (36 off 32) and an unbeaten 32 off 17 balls from Nicholas Pooran.

The foundation of the chase was laid by Marsh and Inglis, who put together a dominant opening stand. Marsh was in destructive form from the start, bringing up his half-century in just 21 balls and helping LSG race to 67 without loss after five overs before reaching 86/0 at the end of the powerplay.

The attacking intent continued as LSG reached 124/0 at the halfway stage. While Marsh dominated the strike, Inglis played the supporting role effectively before falling for 36, caught at deep backward point off Mukesh Choudhary after a 135-run partnership.

Marsh’s innings ended dramatically on the very next ball, as a powerful shot from Pooran deflected off Choudhary’s hand and crashed onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Marsh outside his crease.

He walked back after smashing seven sixes and nine fours in his 90-run knock. At that stage, LSG were firmly placed at 136/2 after 12 overs.

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With 24 needed from the final four overs, Pooran sealed the chase in style by smashing Kamboj for four consecutive sixes, helping LSG finish the game in just 16.4 overs.

For CSK, Mukesh Choudhary and Spencer Johnson were the only bowlers to claim wickets. Following the defeat, CSK remained sixth on the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points from 12 matches, having registered six wins and six losses so far.

Earlier in the match, asked to bat, CSK openers Sanju Samson and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad gave their side a steady start, taking the score to 20 without loss in the first two overs.

However, the momentum shifted in the fourth over when LSG pacer Akash Singh struck, removing Gaikwad for 13 runs. The pacer continued his impact in the sixth over by dismissing Samson for 20, leaving CSK at 37/2 after six overs.

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Wickets continued to tumble as Akash claimed his third scalp, sending back Urvil Patel for six runs in the eighth over, putting CSK under further pressure at 61/3.

By the end of 10 overs, the Super Kings had reached 71/3, struggling to build on their early start.

After the initial blows by Akash, Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis steadied the ship for CSK. Both batters took the visitors to 108/3 in 13 overs.

During the second ball of the 15th over, Kartik brought up his half-century off 35 deliveries, marking his second fifty of the season. However, the momentum shifted as Mohammed Shami struck in the same over, removing Brevis for 25 runs.

On the final ball of the 16th over, Shahbaz Ahmed claimed a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Kartik Sharma, who fell after a well-made 71-run knock. The wicket came at an important stage of the innings as CSK reached 142/5.

Towards the end, Shivam Dube (16-ball 32*) and Prashant Veer (13*) helped the Super Kings reach 187/5 in 20 overs. For LSG, Akash (3/26), Shami (1/41) and Shahbaz (1/45) were among the wicket-takers.

With inputs from agencies