In the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Ekana Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced a disappointing seven-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that his team fell short with the ball, despite setting a competitive total of 188 runs. LSG's Mitchell Marsh dominated the match with an explosive 90 runs off 38 balls, supported by Josh Inglis, who added 36 runs. Their partnership of 135 runs for the opening wicket effectively sealed the game for LSG, who chased down the target in just 16.4 overs. Gaikwad reflected on the match, stating that the conditions had initially favored seamers, and while CSK aimed for a score between 160-170, they managed to reach 180. He acknowledged that the execution of their bowling plans was lacking against LSG's aggressive batting. Despite the defeat, Gaikwad remained optimistic about CSK's playoff hopes, emphasizing the need for improved performances in upcoming matches.