Published on: May 13, 2026 2:26 pm IST|Updated on: May 13, 2026 2:26 pm IST
The Chennai Super Kings, without their former skipper, i.e., MS Dhoni, have been enduring a brilliant run in the Tata IPL 2026. The 5-time champions have won six and lost five out of eleven and find themselves comfortably sitting at the fifth spot. They are next slated to play the Lucknow Super Giants on the 15th of May at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow in match 59 of the competition. A win in that game will see CSK breach the top 4 for the first time this season and will go one step closer to playoff qualification.
As the Super Kings board their flight to Lucknow, fans are left wondering whether MS Dhoni will travel with them. The answer is that MS Dhoni is likely to join the squad, but his participation in the LSG vs CSK match remains uncertain. The CSK legend has not featured in a single game this season due to a calf injury. He also did not travel with the team to New Delhi, where Chennai faced the Delhi Capitals in their ninth game of the season.
The veteran has accompanied the team in selective away games this season, which include matches against the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading to speculations about Dhoni’s possible return to the eleven. Dhoni was close to regaining fitness during the mid-season; however, a recurring injury in his calf meant that the veteran had to buy some more time before getting back on the field.
The Chennai Super Kings are arguably in the best position to make it to the playoffs. Having played 11 games so far this season, they have secured 6 wins and have 12 points to their name. In the past, we have seen how teams with 16 points generally make it to the playoffs easily. Going by the previous year’s qualification scenarios, CSK is just two wins away from securing a playoff berth.
They are left with three games in the group stage (including this game against LSG). If CSK wins 2 of their next three games, they will get to 16 points, which should be enough for a playoff berth. However, if they manage to win all their remaining fixtures, CSK will have 18 points to their name, which could get them a spot among the top 2.
Chennai Super Kings have registered three wins on the trot and are eyeing their fourth win of the season in succession. They thumped Lucknow Super Giants by 5 wickets in the reverse fixture played on May 10th in Chennai. That was Chennai’s highest‑ever run chase since 2019, as the team has failed to chase down a total in excess of 180 since then.
Heading into Lucknow, where the pitch offers bounce and seam upfront and tends to slow down in the second innings, a perfect amalgamation of pace and spin should be the way to go forward. Here’s the perfect playing XI for Chennai Super Kings for the LSG vs CSK match.
CSK Predicted 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 IMPACT SUB: Prashant Veer
Tags: IPL 2026