LSG vs CSK IPL 2023 Highlights: Lucknow vs Chennai match called off due to rain

And here's the news coming in. Match has been called off due to rain. Players shake hands with each other, Dhoni waves at the crowd. So, this will be a no-result and both teams will get a point each. It was good bringing this game to you, join our other coverage of PBKS vs MI game here

The cut off time for a five over game is 7:28 PM. It's sad but we won't get a game if the match does not resume by then.

While IPL is getting heated as the fight is growing for the top 4 finish, temperature in north India is pretty much cool. As I type, it is still raining in Lucknow and is not slowing down. Have your fingers crossed if you want to catch the action and stay with us for further updates.

You might be wondering what CSK would chase if LSG won't bat and the game is shortened. All the data for you:

5 over game -  42

10 overs - 76

15 overs - 106

18 overs - 122

19 overs - 127

The rain is still pouring down and we get to know that the cut-off time is 7:28 PM

CSK will have to chase 127 in 19 overs if LSG don't bat again. They have batted for only 2 balls in the 20th over and have made 125.

And as we received that good piece of news, we have something not so good for you. The covers are being brought in again. LSG's fielding coach Jonty Rhodes is seen helping the groundstaff in bringing the covers. Looks like rain is in mood to play games.

Good news coming. Rain has stopped and covers are being removed. The umpires are in the middle for inspection.

The rain gods have interrupted again and the match has been stopped. Pathirana just got the wicket of Gowtham and the covers are on after 19.2 overs. LSG 125/7 after 19.2

And Badoni has smashed a brilliant fifty under testing conditions. A 30-ball fifty when all the other batters have found it hard going. He has smashed Chahar for 20 runs in the 19th over and is putting the pressure back on CSK. LSG 125/6 after 19

And Pooran's struggle comes to an end. He was not at his best today and has to go back for a 31-ball 20. This was fuller outside off and Pooran had no timing and elevation to clear the off-side fielder.

LSG are at 83/5 after 16 overs. 21 runs in the previous 2 overs as runs are starting to come. Pooran had hit a six in the 15th over and Pathirana then went for 10 in the 16th over (including 5 wides). Badoni has now stepped on the accelerator. He has smoked Theekshana for a six and a four in a 15-run over. LSG 98/5 after 17.

LSG are crawling at the moment. CSK spinners have kept a big hold on LSG batters. Pooran and Badoni are in the middle. It looks unlikely that LSG will be able to post something in excess of 120

Now Jadeja joins the party as well. He has left Stoinis perplexed. This was a peach of a ball. Pitched on leg and turned sharply to clean the off stump. LSG 4 down

And the second LSG opener is also back in the hut. This was fired straight as Vohra missed his shot. LSG 2 down. Wait, make it three please. Krunal has gone golden duck. This was on a good length just outside the stumps. Pandya has a poke at it and Rahane does really well at slips to grab this. LSG in mess.

And here's the opening. Mayers has been caught out at long-on by Ravindra Jadeja. Moeen Ali gets the first scalp and LSG are 1 down.

And the LSG openers Kyle Mayers and Manan Vohra are in the middle. It's a different opening combination for them and a forced change. Meanwhile, Deepak starts for CSK.

Mana Vohra, Karan Sharma and Mohsin come in

Kyle Mayers, Manan Vohra, Karan Sharma, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran(w), Krunal Pandya(c), Krishnappa Gowtham, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan

Deepak Chahar comes in for Akash

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

We wanted to bat first, and got the even stevens. The batters can go and express themselves. KL Rahul is a big loss, he's a quality player but it creates an opportunity for the youngsters. The morale is high, we are looking to play some positive cricket. Manan Vohra and Karan Sharma come in.

We will be bowling first. The wicket was under covers and it looks a bit tacky, so we'll look to bowl first. You have to see all conditions and venue. Deepak is fit and he comes in for Akash. You've decided it is my last IPL, not me.

CSK have won the toss and have opted to bowl first

More good news coming your way. Toss is set to be held at 3:30 PM and we will get the game from 3:35 PM onwards.

Big update and a happy one for the fans. The covers are coming off. We are yet to find what time the toss will be held.

One side is short, only 61 meters on one side, the other side is big and is 75 meters long. it is 78 meters straight. The pitch is very patchy, there is quite a lot of green grass on it compared to what we've seen previously. But it is very dry underneath. Some plate cracking there. But don't expect this surface to play with much bounce in it. There won't be a lot of bounce and it will still favour the spin.

And the news coming in is that the toss has been delayed due to rain

The surface at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is not easy for batters. Set batters are expected to play right through the innings. The spinners have generally done well. LSG couldn't chase down 127 runs against RCB in the previous outing while they also failed to chase 136 runs against GT earlier in the season. The average first innings score at the venue is 147.

Lucknow are placed just above CSK - on third in the standings. They have also won 5 out of 9 games but have a better NRR (0.639) against their name. LSG have faced problems winning at home in the recent games and especially when they play on black soil pitch. A win will take LSG to the top of the IPL 2023 standings.

Even after those two losses, Chennai Super Kings find themselves in the 4th place in Points table. They have 5 wins in 9 games an NRR of 0.329. A win today will certainly take them into the top 2 and possibly to the top of the standings if they win big.

LSG's squad:

Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, Daniel Sams, Quinton de Kock, Prerak Mankad, Manan Vohra, Mark Wood, Jaydev Unadkat, Swapnil Singh, Mohsin Khan, Romario Shepherd, Arpit Guleria, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Karan Sharma. (KL Rahul reportedly ruled out of IPL 2023)

CSK's squad:

MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, Subhranshu Senapati, RS Hangargekar, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Sisanda Magala, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, Bhagath Varma, Nishant Sindhu

After that low-scoring thriller and a dramatic end to the LSG vs RCB match, Lucknow will lock horns against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in a space of less than 48 hours. LSG suffered an 18-run loss that night and now have their captain sitting on the sidelines as he is reportedly ruled out due to the hip flexor. Meanwhile, CSK are coming off defeats against Rajasthan and Punjab. Dhoni's men will look to keep their hold tight in the top 2, while LSG's aim is no different. So, sit back at your comfort as I Varun Malik, take you across this afternoon's game in Lucknow.