'In Chennai, they know what works': Ravi Shastri sees silver lining for CSK after Lucknow's loss

Ravi Shastri believes Chennai Super Kings should treat their seven-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants as a valuable learning experience rather than a major setback in their IPL 2026 playoff race. CSK’s qualification hopes took a hit after the loss in Lucknow, leaving them in a must-win situation for their remaining league matches. However, Shastri felt there were still positives for the Chennai side to take away from the contest.

Speaking on JioHotstar, the former India head coach pointed out that the Ekana Stadium pitch was not as easy for batting as the final score suggested, and credited CSK for reaching 187 despite key batters failing to fire.

"I would take the positives from this game for CSK. I'd think that this wicket wasn't that easy and, despite batting first, they still made 187. Sanju Samson didn't score runs, Ruturaj Gaikwad didn't get many either, so if they find form (in the upcoming matches), that would be key for CSK," said Shastri on JioHotstar.

"Their bowlers will learn what lengths they need to bowl in conditions like these. In Chennai, they know what works and where to bowl, so they will be a much stronger team at home. They will also have their plans ready for that surface. So, I would look at this as an off day, but also as a game that offered plenty of lessons," he added.

The former India captain specifically discussed young pacer Anshul Kamboj, who endured a difficult outing against Mitchell Marsh. Marsh smashed four consecutive sixes off Kamboj during a brutal over that shifted the game decisively in Lucknow’s favour.

"After getting hit for four sixes, what should Anshul Kamboj have done? In my opinion, he should have thought more about bowling yorkers, targeting the stumps right in the blockhole.

"When you know Marsh was waiting for anything short of a length, either bowl yorkers at the stumps or, if you’re bowling bouncers, bowl them outside the off stump with a deep third man in place. Bend your back and bowl them closer to head height, not at chest or waist height, because that is bread and butter for someone, who has grown up playing in Perth. It becomes very easy for him to use the pace," opined Shastri.

Lucknow outclassed Chennai

Chennai Super Kings suffered a major setback in their playoff push after a seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium.

Playing his first match of IPL 2026, left-arm pacer Akash Singh starred for LSG with figures of 3/26, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and Urvil Patel using sharp short-pitched bowling on a lively surface. CSK struggled early and managed only 37/2 in the powerplay.