Chennai Super Kings have handed a debut to Australian left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side take on Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial IPL 2026 match in Lucknow on Friday.

Johnson replaced injured Jamie Overton in CSK’s playing eleven, while Gurjapaneet Singh has also returned to the team. There was no place for Akil Hossein.

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The Australian fast bowler is returning to top-level cricket after recovering from a back injury that previously ruled him out of the T20 World Cup and the Big Bash League. Johnson had not been seen in competitive cricket since IPL 2025.

At the toss, LSG captain Rishabh Pant won and elected to bowl first on what he described as a “sticky” surface. Pant suggested that the bowlers could get help at the beginning of the innings and admitted that the franchise is now looking towards the next season after being eliminated from the playoff race.

Pant said, “We will bowl first. The wicket looks a bit difficult.” “We are out of the tournament, so it is about planning for the future and giving opportunities.”

LSG made some changes to their combination, with Akash Singh getting his first game of the season against his former team. Abdul Samad and Mukul Chaudhary also returned to the setup.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad said that CSK are happy to bat first and there is some moisture visible on the surface. Chennai entered fifth on the table with six wins from 11 matches and knew a win would take them into the top four.

LSG, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the standings with just three wins from 11 matches and now have only pride to play for, as well as a chance to dash CSK’s playoff hopes.

Chennai Super Kings XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Urvil Patel, Karthik Sharma, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dubey, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmed, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Chaudhary.

Lucknow Super Giants XI: Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Mukul Chaudhary, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Akash Maharaj Singh, Prince Yadav.

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