IPL 2026: Kartik Sharma's 71 and Dube's 23-run final over fire CSK to 187/5 vs LSG
Synopsis
Kartik Sharma's career-best 71 rescued CSK from 52/3, but it was Shivam Dube's extraordinary 23-run final over off Prince Yadav that turned a decent score into a daunting 187/5 — a finish that could define the match and signal CSK's batting depth heading deeper into IPL 2026.
Key Takeaways
Kartik Sharma hit a career-best 71 off 42 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes, SR: 169.05) for CSK against LSG on 15 May .
Shivam Dube smashed 23 runs off the final over, finishing unbeaten on 32 off 16 balls .
CSK posted 187/5 in 20 overs , collecting 60 runs off the last five overs.
Akash Singh was the pick of LSG's bowlers with 3 for 26 , dismantling the CSK top order.
Kartik and Dewald Brevis added a crucial 70-run stand off 44 balls to stabilise the innings after CSK slipped to 52/3 .
Kartik Sharma blazed a career-best 71 in T20 cricket and Shivam Dube plundered 23 runs off the final over to power Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to 187/5 in 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Friday, 15 May. The innings was a tale of two halves — a middle-order rescue act followed by a devastating finish that gave CSK a competitive total on a red soil pitch.
Kartik Sharma's Career-Best Knock
Kartik Sharma walked in with CSK reeling at 52/3 and proceeded to anchor the innings with a dazzling 71 off 42 balls, studded with six fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 169.05. He reached his second fifty of the season off just 35 balls, launching a towering six off Mohammed Shami to bring up the milestone. Kartik grew in authority with every boundary, taking on the LSG pace attack and punishing Shahbaz Ahmed and Prince Yadav with a flurry of hits before Shahbaz eventually dismissed him.
Early Collapse Sets the Stage
CSK had opted to bat first and made a brisk start — Sanju Samson cracked three boundaries off Mohammed Shami in the opening over, while Ruturaj Gaikwad also found the ropes early. However, left-arm seamer Akash Singh dismantled the top order in quick succession: he had Gaikwad caught at mid-on off a hurried pull, dismissed Samson who holed out in the deep, and then removed Urvil Patel — pulling to deep mid-wicket — to leave CSK wobbling at 52/3. Akash finished with figures of 3 for 26, the most impactful bowling performance of the innings.
Brevis Partnership Steadies CSK
Dewald Brevis joined Kartik at the fall of the third wicket and the pair forged a vital 70-run stand off 44 balls. Brevis announced his arrival with a six off Akash and contributed a quick 25 off 16 balls before a short ball from Shami had him caught at fine leg. The stand was the turning point — it shifted the momentum back to CSK and gave Kartik the platform to accelerate.
Dube and Veer's Explosive Finish
Shivam Dube and Prashant Veer initially found Mayank Yadav's pace difficult to handle, but found their rhythm in the closing overs. Veer contributed an inventive scoop off Shami for four, finishing unbeaten on 13 off 10 balls. Dube, however, reserved his best for last — he smashed Prince Yadav for two sixes and two fours off the final four balls of the innings, plundering 23 runs in the last over alone. He remained unbeaten on 32 off 16 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes. The pair ensured CSK collected 60 runs off the last five overs, converting a good platform into a formidable total.
Brief Scores and What's Next
Chennai Super Kings 187/5 in 20 overs (Kartik Sharma 71, Shivam Dube 32 not out; Akash Singh 3-26, Mohammed Shami 1-41) vs Lucknow Super Giants. LSG will now need to chase 188 on a red soil surface at the Ekana Stadium — a target that will test their batting depth and temperament under lights.
Point of View
But the more revealing number is 60 — the runs CSK extracted from the last five overs. That finish is a marker of genuine batting depth, not just individual brilliance. Dube's ability to target a specific bowler in the final over and execute under pressure is what separates this CSK lineup from past editions that often left runs on the table at the death. The concern for LSG is structural: Akash Singh did the job up front, but conceding 23 in the last over off Prince Yadav exposes a vulnerability in their death-bowling options that opponents will target repeatedly.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kartik Sharma's score in the CSK vs LSG IPL 2026 match?
Kartik Sharma scored a career-best 71 off 42 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 169.05. It was his second fifty of the IPL 2026 season and the innings that anchored CSK's total of 187/5.
How many runs did Shivam Dube score in the final over against LSG?
Shivam Dube hit 23 runs off the final over, smashing Prince Yadav for two sixes and two fours off the last four balls. He finished unbeaten on 32 off 16 balls.
What were Akash Singh's bowling figures against CSK?
Akash Singh took 3 wickets for 26 runs, removing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Urvil Patel in quick succession to reduce CSK to 52/3. He was LSG's most effective bowler in the match.
What total did CSK set against LSG at Ekana Stadium?
Chennai Super Kings posted 187/5 in 20 overs, meaning Lucknow Super Giants need to chase 188 to win. CSK scored 60 runs in the last five overs to reach that competitive total.
What partnership did Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis put on for CSK?
Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis added 70 runs off 44 balls for the fourth wicket, stabilising CSK after they slipped to 52/3. Brevis contributed 25 off 16 balls before being dismissed by Mohammed Shami.
