Netizens expressed their disappointment towards CSK’s batting against the LSG in their May 15th clash, and labelled it as ‘unreal batting collapse’. Despite fumbling through a difficult start in IPL 2026, CSK finally gained momentum by winning matches and is still on a run to take the top four spot. On Friday, in their clash against LSG, a must-win game for CSK, LSG won the toss and opted to bowl first. Sanju Samson dominated the opening over, hitting Shami for 3 boundaries.

Ruturaj Gaikwad too got off the mark with a boundary against Akash Singh. At a point, it looked like CSK was off to a flying start, and an aggressive powerplay batting was on display. But very quickly, LSG bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Akash Singh, got LSG right back into the game as Akash first dismissed the CSK skipper, Ruturaj, at mid-on. The huge blow came when, in the 6th over, in-form batter Sanju Samson got dismissed by Akash Singh, leaving CSK with 37/2 at the end of the powerplay.

Netizens were in complete disarray over this collapse scenario in a must-win situation. Some of them expressed disappointment, saying “ from 260 plus projection to two wickets in powerplay scoring just 27 is unreal’. Some mocked Ruturaj Gaikwad’s slow batting too in the age of an aggressive and intent mindset in IPL.

Shortly after powerplay, Urvil Patel too got dismissed by Aakash Singh, claiming his third wicket of the evening.

CSK IPL 2026 Playoff Qualification Scenario

After a slow start to IPL 2026, losing three matches consecutively, lingering at the bottom of the points table, CSK have fought back hard to be at the fifth spot in the points table with 12 points and alive in the tournament to secure a top-four spot. CSK winning against LSG at Ekanna would get them 14 points, and they would jump over Punjab Kings to position themselves at the fourth spot.

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If CSK manage to win all three matches, they can end up on 18 points and even stand a chance to top the points table depending on the matches won by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. If CSK can win two out of the three matches, they will finish on 16 points, wherein the Net Run Rate could come into play to decide their position. If CSK only win one of their three remaining matches, then the Chennai Super Kings might get out of the top four, depending on the wins of Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

CSK would next lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans to fight their way towards qualification.