IPL 2025 Clash: Desperate CSK Take on In-Form LSG at Ekana Stadium
NEW DELHI: In a high-stakes encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the struggling Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to lock horns with the high-flying Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 30 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow today, April 14.
CSK, the five-time IPL champions, are in dire straits, reeling from a shocking run of five consecutive defeats. This unprecedented slump has exposed cracks in their usually formidable lineup, with a glaring lack of depth in the middle order and an over-dependence on their top-order batters. Their recent string of three consecutive home losses at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai—a first in the franchise’s illustrious history—has only added to their woes.
The return of the iconic M.S. Dhoni as captain in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to spark a revival in their last outing against Kolkata Knight Riders. As they travel to Lucknow, CSK will be desperate for a complete team performance, with both bat and ball clicking in unison to break their losing streak and salvage their campaign.
On the flip side, LSG are brimming with confidence after a clinical six-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in their previous match. Boasting four wins from six games, they sit comfortably at third on the points table, showcasing a balanced side with explosive batting and disciplined bowling. In stark contrast, CSK languish at the bottom with just one win from six outings, making this clash a must-win for the Yellow Army.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between LSG and CSK has been intriguing, with the two teams facing off five times in IPL history. LSG hold a slight edge, having clinched victory in three encounters, while CSK have managed two wins. One match ended without a result due to weather interruptions. This head-to-head record adds an extra layer of intensity to today’s fixture, with CSK eager for redemption and LSG aiming to solidify their dominance.
Ekana Stadium Pitch Report
The surface at the Ekana Cricket Stadium is known to be a balanced track, offering something for both pacers and spinners. Early in the match, seamers might extract movement with the new ball, while spinners are expected to come into play as the game progresses. Historically, teams have preferred chasing at this venue, given the dew factor in evening games that often aids batting. Expect a tactical battle as both sides weigh their options at the toss.
Lucknow Weather Forecast
The weather in Lucknow on April 14 promises to be ideal for cricket. Evening temperatures are expected to hover around 27°C, with a real feel of 25°C under clear skies with 0% cloud cover. Humidity levels will remain comfortable at 42%, and there is no chance of precipitation. Winds from the south-southeast will blow at 9 km/h, with gusts up to 24 km/h, and a dew point of 15°C. With visibility up to 10 km, conditions are perfect for an uninterrupted thriller.
Predicted Playing XIs
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Nicholas Pooran (wk), KL Rahul (C), Ayush Badoni, Himmat Singh, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Devon Conway, MS Dhoni (C), Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Rachin Ravindra, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed.
Squads
LSG Squad: Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, RS Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Matthew Breetzke, Mohsin Khan.
CSK Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaik Rasheed, Rahul Tripathi, Devon Conway, MS Dhoni, Vansh Bedi, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, Rachin Ravindra, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sam Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed.
As the battle lines are drawn, all eyes will be on whether CSK can summon their championship pedigree to turn their fortunes around or if LSG will continue their march up the points table with another commanding display. Stay tuned for what promises to be a cracker of a contest in the heart of Lucknow!