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PUBLISHED ON: 18 MAY 2026, 07:26 AM
Match 63 of the Indian Premier League 2026 will see Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on May 18. With the playoff race heating up, both teams will be eager to grab two crucial points.
The two sides previously met earlier this season in Match 27 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, where SRH emerged victorious. CSK will now be keen to return the favour in front of their home crowd.
Chennai Super Kings currently sit fifth on the points table with 12 points from 12 matches and remain firmly in contention for a playoff spot. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side will look to continue their momentum and strengthen their qualification hopes with a victory against SRH.
Top-order: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Urvil Patel
Sanju Samson and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad are expected to continue opening the innings for Chennai Super Kings. The experienced duo has shown glimpses of good form this season, but CSK will hope for more consistency from them in the business end of the tournament.
Sanju Samson has been CSK’s standout batter in IPL 2026 so far, scoring two centuries and consistently delivering at the top of the order. Gaikwad, meanwhile, has regained confidence after a slow start to the campaign and will be eager to play another impactful knock.
Urvil Patel has impressed with his aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly in the powerplay. His fearless approach gives CSK momentum at the top.
Middle-order: Shivam Dube (Imp), Kartik Sharma/MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Prashant Veer
CSK’s middle order has been slightly inconsistent this season. Dewald Brevis has struggled to live up to expectations so far and will look to make a stronger impact in this crucial phase of the tournament.
Shivam Dube has also endured a disappointing campaign with the bat despite being one of CSK’s key power-hitters in recent seasons. However, the franchise is expected to continue backing the left-hander as their designated Impact Player.
A major talking point remains the availability of MS Dhoni for CSK’s final home game of the season. If declared fit, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter is likely to replace Kartik Sharma in the playing XI. Prashant Veer adds balance to the side with his all-round abilities.
Bowlers: Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh
Anshul Kamboj remains CSK’s leading wicket-taker this season despite enduring a difficult outing in the previous game against Lucknow Super Giants, where he conceded 63 runs in 2.4 overs. The young pacer has still picked up 19 wickets and continues to be a key figure in the bowling attack.
Noor Ahmad will lead the spin department for Chennai, while Mukesh Choudhary and Gurjapneet Singh provide additional pace options. Spencer Johnson’s ability to extract bounce and movement with the new ball makes him a dangerous weapon during the powerplay.
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma/MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh
Impact Player: Shivam Dube
Top-order: Travis Head (Imp), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk)
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have once again formed one of the most destructive opening pairs in IPL 2026. Popularly known as ‘Travishek’, the duo has dominated bowling attacks this season, scoring 627 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 211.82.
Travis Head has been in excellent form despite a rare failure in the previous outing, scoring 361 runs at a strike rate above 170. Abhishek Sharma has arguably been one of SRH’s best batters this season, amassing 481 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 209.13.
Ishan Kishan has provided stability at number three and has contributed 420 runs at a strike rate of 185.84. The wicketkeeper-batter has also led the side admirably in the absence of Pat Cummins.
Middle-order: Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Smaran Ravichandran
Heinrich Klaasen has been SRH’s most dependable batter in IPL 2026. The South African star has adapted brilliantly to the role of a middle-order anchor while maintaining his aggressive intent. Klaasen is currently SRH’s leading run-scorer with 508 runs at a strike rate of 153.93.
Salil Arora has showcased his six-hitting ability on multiple occasions this season and played a memorable cameo against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has evolved into a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder for SRH after improving significantly with the ball during the off-season. His all-round contributions have added valuable balance to the side.
Smaran Ravichandran remains one of the brightest young prospects in domestic cricket, although the left-hander is still searching for a breakthrough IPL performance.
Bowlers: Pat Cummins (capt), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge
The return of skipper Pat Cummins has strengthened SRH’s bowling attack considerably. The Australian pacer has picked up five wickets in five games and continues to provide control across all phases of the innings.
Shivang Kumar has emerged as one of the breakout stars for SRH this season. The left-arm wrist-spinner has claimed eight wickets in 10 matches while regularly troubling batters in the middle overs.
Sri Lankan pacer Eshan Malinga has been SRH’s premier strike bowler in IPL 2026, picking up 16 wickets in 12 games. His pace and wicket-taking ability have made him a key asset for the franchise.
The uncapped duo of Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge impressed immediately after making their debuts against Rajasthan Royals, both claiming four-wicket hauls. Sakib has excelled at the death, while Hinge has contributed effectively with the new ball and during the middle overs.
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Smaran Ravichandran, Pat Cummins (capt), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge
Impact Player: Travis Head
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When and where will the CSK vs SRH Match 63 be played?
The match between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be played on May 18, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Which players could make a difference in this clash?
For Chennai Super Kings, Sanju Samson and Noor Ahmad are expected to play crucial roles, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will rely heavily on Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma.
Which team has the edge going into this game?
Chennai Super Kings will have the advantage of playing at home and enter the contest with playoff momentum.
Where can I watch live sports for free online for IPL?
The match is available for live streaming on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
PUBLISHED ON: 18 MAY 2026, 07:26 AM
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