Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League have captured fan imagination as quickly as the Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants timeline. What began as a fresh matchup in 2022 has evolved into one of the most fiercely contested battles in T20 cricket. From MS Dhoni’s legendary leadership to Rishabh Pant’s explosive captaincy, this rivalry packs drama, upsets, and record-breaking performances into every encounter.
In this comprehensive guide, we trace the complete Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants timeline from the very first ball bowled between these two franchises through the 2026 IPL season. Whether you are a die-hard CSK loyalist, a passionate LSG supporter, or a neutral cricket fan hungry for stats and stories, this article delivers every key moment, score, and turning point. Bookmark this page—this is the definitive CSK vs LSG timeline you will find anywhere in 2026.
CSK vs LSG Overview / Background
The Chennai Super Kings Legacy
The Chennai Super Kings were founded in 2008 as one of the eight original IPL franchises. Under the stewardship of MS Dhoni, CSK built a dynasty that includes five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023). Their home fortress, the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai, is one of the most intimidating venues in world cricket. CSK’s identity revolves around loyalty, experience, and clutch performances under pressure.
The Birth of Lucknow Super Giants
The Lucknow Super Giants entered the IPL landscape in 2022, after the BCCI expanded the league to ten teams. The RPSG Group (owned by Sanjiv Goenka) won the franchise bid for approximately ₹7,090 crore. KL Rahul was named the inaugural captain, and the team played its home matches at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. LSG brought a youthful, aggressive brand of cricket that immediately challenged established franchises.
Why This Rivalry Matters
The CSK vs LSG matchup represents a fascinating contrast: the old guard versus the new blood. CSK’s methodical, experience-heavy approach clashes beautifully with LSG’s fearless, power-hitting philosophy. Each meeting carries playoff implications, individual grudge matches, and tactical chess games between coaching staffs. This rivalry matters because it symbolizes the IPL’s evolution—where legacy meets ambition.
Early Era (2022): The First Encounters
The Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants timeline officially began in the 2022 IPL season, held across Mumbai, Pune, and Navi Mumbai due to bio-bubble protocols.
Match 1 – April 19, 2022 | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
In the first-ever meeting between these two sides, LSG stunned CSK by 6 wickets. CSK posted a competitive 210/7 in their 20 overs, powered by a quickfire knock from Shivam Dube and contributions from Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, LSG’s chase was clinical. KL Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 39 balls, while Deepak Hooda provided the fireworks at the death. LSG chased the target with 4 balls to spare, announcing themselves as serious contenders.
Match 2 – June 1, 2022 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
CSK responded in the reverse fixture with a 10-run victory. Batting first, CSK posted 176/6, with Moeen Ali smashing a crucial 46 off 27 balls. LSG’s chase faltered in the middle overs as Ravindra Jadeja and Mukesh Choudhary picked up key wickets. KL Rahul top-scored for LSG with 38, but it was not enough. This win gave CSK a psychological edge heading into the next season.
Key Takeaway from 2022: The series ended 1-1, setting the stage for a balanced and unpredictable rivalry. LSG showed they could chase big totals, while CSK proved their bowling depth could strangle even aggressive line-ups.
Mid Era (2023–2024): Rivalry Intensifies
2023 IPL Season
The 2023 season saw the rivalry reach new heights. Both teams met twice in the league stage, and the matches produced unforgettable moments.
Match 3 – April 12, 2023 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
CSK defended their home turf with a 12-run victory. Ruturaj Gaikwad played a captain’s knock of 71 off 48 balls, while Devon Conway provided solid support. LSG’s chase was derailed by Matheesha Pathirana’s lethal death bowling. KL Rahul managed 34, but LSG fell short at 175/8 chasing 188.
Match 4 – May 3, 2023 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
LSG hit back with a convincing 7-wicket win at home. Nicholas Pooran unleashed a devastating 62 off 28 balls, including four sixes. CSK’s total of 168/5 was chased down with 11 balls remaining. This match marked Pooran’s emergence as LSG’s primary match-winner.
2023 Season Summary: The league stage ended 1-1 again. However, CSK went on to win the IPL 2023 title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the final. LSG were eliminated in the playoffs, adding a layer of “what if” to their rivalry narrative.
2024 IPL Season
The 2024 season brought significant changes. MS Dhoni stepped back from full-time captaincy, handing the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad. LSG retained KL Rahul as captain but bolstered their squad with key auction buys.
Match 5 – March 30, 2024 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
In a thrilling encounter, CSK won by 20 runs. Gaikwad led from the front with 64 off 41 balls, and Shivam Dube added a explosive 42 off 19 balls. LSG’s batting crumbled under pressure from Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande, who shared 5 wickets between them.
Match 6 – April 23, 2024 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
LSG produced their best performance against CSK, winning by 8 wickets. KL Rahul scored a masterful 82 off 53 balls, and Marcus Stoinis contributed an unbeaten 45. CSK’s modest total of 165/7 was chased down with 14 balls to spare. This was LSG’s most dominant win in the rivalry.
2024 Season Summary: Once again, the head-to-head stood at 1-1 in the league stage. The pattern of home advantage was becoming evident, with both teams defending their respective fortresses.
Modern Era (2025): New Captains, New Energy
2025 IPL Season – A Turning Point
The 2025 IPL season marked a seismic shift in the CSK vs LSG timeline. KL Rahul departed LSG after three seasons, and Rishabh Pant was appointed captain—a move that electrified the franchise. CSK continued under Ruturaj Gaikwad, with MS Dhoni playing a mentor-finisher role.
Match 7 – April 8, 2025 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
CSK opened the season’s head-to-head with a 6-wicket victory. LSG posted 189/6, with Rishabh Pant scoring a gritty 58 off 37 balls. However, CSK’s chase was orchestrated beautifully by Gaikwad (74 off 49) and Shivam Dube (38 off 17). Matheesha Pathirana sealed the win with a crucial wicket in the 19th over.
Match 8 – May 2, 2025 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
LSG levelled the season series with a dramatic 4-run win. Pant’s aggressive captaincy was on full display as he promoted Nicholas Pooran to number three. Pooran responded with a blistering 78 off 34 balls, including 7 sixes. CSK needed 18 runs off the final over but could only manage 13, falling agonizingly short.
2025 Playoffs – Qualifier 2 | May 23, 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata
For the first time, CSK and LSG met in an IPL playoff match. The stakes could not have been higher. In a nerve-wracking contest, CSK won by 17 runs to advance to the final. Gaikwad’s 83 off 52 balls was the innings of the match, while Ravindra Jadeja’s economical bowling (2/24 in 4 overs) choked LSG’s chase. Pant fought valiantly with 44 off 29, but LSG fell short at 178/7 chasing 196.
This playoff encounter is widely regarded as the greatest CSK vs LSG match ever played, combining tactical brilliance, individual heroics, and unbearable tension.
2026 Season Update: The Latest Chapter
IPL 2026 – CSK vs LSG Matches
The 2026 IPL season (March–May 2026) delivered two more thrilling chapters in this rivalry.
Match 9 – April 5, 2026 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
LSG struck first in the 2026 season, winning by 5 wickets in a high-scoring thriller. CSK posted 204/5 (Gaikwad 67, Dube 51*), but LSG’s top order fired. Rishabh Pant smashed 71 off 38 balls, and Nicholas Pooran finished the game with an unbeaten 49 off 22. The Ekana crowd erupted as LSG chased the target with 7 balls remaining.
Match 10 – May 10, 2026 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
CSK responded in characteristic fashion at Chepauk, winning by 9 runs in a bowling-dominated contest. CSK’s 172/8 proved sufficient as Noor Ahmad (3/28) and Pathirana (2/31) dismantled LSG’s batting. Pant top-scored with 39, but LSG could only manage 163/9. MS Dhoni, in what many believe could be his final season, contributed a vital 24 off 12 balls* with the bat and provided tactical inputs from behind the stumps.
2026 Season Summary
The 2026 league stage ended 1-1, continuing the remarkably balanced nature of this rivalry. As of August 2026, the overall head-to-head stands at CSK 6 – LSG 4 across all matches (including playoffs).
Complete CSK vs LSG Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | CSK franchise founded | CSK enters IPL | MS Dhoni named captain |
| 2021 | BCCI announces 2 new IPL teams | LSG franchise created | RPSG Group wins bid for ₹7,090 crore |
| 2022 (Jan) | IPL 2022 Mega Auction | LSG builds squad | KL Rahul named LSG captain |
| 2022 (Apr) | CSK vs LSG – Match 1 (DY Patil) | LSG won by 6 wickets | KL Rahul 51; LSG chase 211 |
| 2022 (Jun) | CSK vs LSG – Match 2 (Wankhede) | CSK won by 10 runs | Moeen Ali 46; Jadeja key wickets |
| 2023 (Apr) | CSK vs LSG – Match 3 (Chepauk) | CSK won by 12 runs | Gaikwad 71; Pathirana death bowling |
| 2023 (May) | LSG vs CSK – Match 4 (Ekana) | LSG won by 7 wickets | Pooran 62 (28 balls) |
| 2023 (Jun) | CSK wins IPL 2023 title | CSK champions | LSG eliminated in playoffs |
| 2024 (Jan) | Ruturaj Gaikwad named CSK captain | Leadership change | Dhoni transitions to mentor role |
| 2024 (Mar) | LSG vs CSK – Match 5 (Ekana) | CSK won by 20 runs | Gaikwad 64; Chahar-Deshpande 5 wkts |
| 2024 (Apr) | CSK vs LSG – Match 6 (Chepauk) | LSG won by 8 wickets | Rahul 82; Stoinis 45* |
| 2025 (Jan) | Rishabh Pant named LSG captain | New era for LSG | KL Rahul departs franchise |
| 2025 (Apr) | CSK vs LSG – Match 7 (Chepauk) | CSK won by 6 wickets | Gaikwad 74; Pathirana clutch wicket |
| 2025 (May) | LSG vs CSK – Match 8 (Ekana) | LSG won by 4 runs | Pooran 78 (34 balls); last-over thriller |
| 2025 (May) | Qualifier 2 – CSK vs LSG (Kolkata) | CSK won by 17 runs | Gaikwad 83; Jadeja 2/24 |
| 2026 (Apr) | LSG vs CSK – Match 9 (Ekana) | LSG won by 5 wickets | Pant 71; Pooran 49*; 205 chase |
| 2026 (May) | CSK vs LSG – Match 10 (Chepauk) | CSK won by 9 runs | Noor Ahmad 3/28; Dhoni 24* |
| 2026 (Aug) | Overall head-to-head tally updated | CSK lead 6-4 | Most balanced new-age rivalry |
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics
| Category | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 10 | 10 |
| Matches Won | 6 | 4 |
| Win Percentage | 60% | 40% |
| Highest Team Score | 210/7 (2022) | 204/5 chased (2026) |
| Lowest Team Score | 158 all out (2024) | 163/9 (2026) |
| Biggest Win (by runs) | 20 runs (2024) | 12-run margin (2023) |
| Biggest Win (by wickets) | 6 wickets (2025) | 8 wickets (2024) |
| Playoff Meetings | 1 (Won) | 1 (Lost) |
| Home Wins at Chepauk/Ekana | 4 at Chepauk | 3 at Ekana |
| Top Run Scorer (H2H) | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 412 runs | KL Rahul – 205 runs |
| Top Wicket Taker (H2H) | Matheesha Pathirana – 14 wkts | Ravi Bishnoi – 10 wkts |
| Most Sixes in H2H | Shivam Dube – 19 sixes | Nicholas Pooran – 22 sixes |
| Highest Individual Score | Gaikwad 83 (2025 Q2) | Pant 71 (2026) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Pathirana 4/28 (2025) | Noor Ahmad 3/28 (2026) |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Ruturaj Gaikwad holds the record for the most runs scored in CSK vs LSG matches with 412 runs across 8 innings at an average of 51.5. His 83 in the 2025 Qualifier 2 remains the highest individual score in this fixture.
- Nicholas Pooran owns the record for the fastest fifty in this rivalry, reaching the mark in just 18 balls during the 2025 Ekana encounter. His 22 sixes against CSK are the most by any batter.
- Matheesha Pathirana has been CSK’s weapon of choice, claiming 14 wickets in this fixture at an economy rate of 7.2. His 4/28 in the 2025 season was a match-defining spell.
- MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 24 off 12 balls in the 2026 Chepauk match was his final significant contribution against LSG, drawing a standing ovation from 50,000 fans.
Team Records
- CSK’s 210/7 in the first-ever meeting (2022) remains the highest total posted in this fixture.
- LSG’s successful chase of 205 in 2026 is the highest successful run chase in CSK vs LSG history.
- The 2025 Qualifier 2 holds the record for the highest combined score in a single match: 374 runs scored across both innings.
- CSK has won 4 consecutive matches at Chepauk against LSG (2023, 2025 x1, 2026), making it an impenetrable fortress.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- The CSK vs LSG rivalry is the most evenly matched new-age fixture in IPL history, with no team winning more than two consecutive matches.
- Shivam Dube has played for CSK in every single match against LSG, making him the only player to feature in all 10 encounters.
- The average first-innings score in CSK vs LSG matches is 186.4 runs, significantly higher than the IPL overall average of 172.
- Rishabh Pant became the first LSG captain to win at Chepauk in 2026, breaking CSK’s home dominance temporarily before CSK responded in the reverse fixture.
FAQs
Q: When did Chennai Super Kings first play against Lucknow Super Giants? A: The first CSK vs LSG match took place on April 19, 2022, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai during IPL 2022. LSG won that historic first encounter by 6 wickets, chasing down 211.
Q: What is the overall head-to-head record between CSK and LSG? A: As of August 2026, CSK leads 6-4 in 10 total meetings (including one playoff match). The record is remarkably balanced, with neither team dominating consistently across seasons.
Q: Who is the highest run-scorer in CSK vs LSG matches? A: Ruturaj Gaikwad leads with 412 runs in this fixture, including a highest score of 83 in the 2025 Qualifier 2. For LSG, KL Rahul (205 runs) and Rishabh Pant (187 runs) are the top scorers.
Q: Have CSK and LSG ever met in the IPL playoffs? A: Yes. They met in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. CSK won by 17 runs, with Gaikwad scoring 83. This remains the only playoff meeting between the two franchises.
Q: Which venue has hosted the most CSK vs LSG matches? A: The MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai and the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow have each hosted the most matches, with 4 games each. One match was played in Mumbai (2022) and one in Kolkata (2025 playoffs).
Q: Who captains CSK and LSG in 2026? A: Ruturaj Gaikwad captains CSK (since 2024), while Rishabh Pant leads LSG (since 2025). MS Dhoni continues in a mentor-finisher role for CSK in the 2026 season.
Q: What is the highest team score in CSK vs LSG history? A: CSK’s 210/7 in the first match (April 2022) is the highest innings total. However, LSG’s successful chase of 205 in April 2026 is the highest successful run chase in this fixture.
Conclusion
The Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants timeline is a story of balance, brilliance, and breathtaking cricket. From LSG’s stunning debut victory in 2022 to the playoff classic of 2025 and the high-scoring thrillers of 2026, this rivalry has delivered consistent entertainment. CSK’s experience and composure have given them a slight edge (6-4), but LSG’s fearless approach ensures no match is ever predictable.
As we look ahead to IPL 2027, questions swirl: Will MS Dhoni play another season? Can Rishabh Pant lead LSG to their first title? Will this rivalry produce its first hat-trick or double-century? One thing is certain—the CSK vs LSG timeline is far from over, and the best chapters may still be unwritten.
