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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 63rd game of IPL 2026. MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, will host this game on 18th May 2026 at 7:30 PM IST. This is a must-win game for CSK to be in the hunt for the playoffs while SRH needs to win this to cement their place in the top four.

Chennai Super Kings lost their last game against the Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets. Jamie Overton’s absence has disrupted their team balance and pace attack. It’ll be interesting to see what combination they go for in this match. Regardless, they need their big names like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, and Shivam Dube to perform consistently with the bat. 

Anshul Kamboj has not reached the same heights recently and it has affected CSK’s bowling effort badly. The likes of Kamboj, along with Noor Ahmad, Gurjapneet, Spencer Johnson (if selected), will have to step up.

SRH are 3rd in the points table with seven wins in 12 matches. They have lost two of their last three matches after winning five games on the bounce. Their batters, especially the top four, have been the reason for their success until now in IPL 2026. Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, and Travis Head have been in terrific touch this season. 

Bowling wise, Pat Cummins’ return has bolstered their attack and they’ve bowled smartly in the last few matches. Cummins, Sakib Hussain, Eshan Malinga, and Shivang Kumar are the key bowlers for the Sunrisers. They defeated CSK by 10 runs in their first meeting this season and will look to do the double here.

IPL 2026 63rd Match: CSK vs SRH Probable Playing XIIs

CSK may bring in Akeal Hosein for Spencer Johnson. They should be unchanged apart from that.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Sanju Samson (wk), 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 3. Urvil Patel, 4. Kartik Sharma, 5. Dewald Brevis, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Prashant Veer, 8. Noor Ahmad, 9. Anshul Kamboj, 10. Gurjapneet Singh, 11. Mukesh Choudhary, 12. Akeal Hosein/Spencer Johnson

Harsh Dubey is expected to get in for Praful Hinge.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Travis Head, 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan (wk), 4. Heinrich Klaasen, 5. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 6. Salil Arora, 7. Smaran R, 8. Shivang Kumar, 9. Pat Cummins (c), 10. Eshan Malinga, 11. Harsh Dubey, 12. Sakib Hussain

Chepauk Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch at Chepauk is expected to be a good one for batting, but the spinners and slow bowlers will come into play once the ball gets older. We’ve seen grip and turn for the spinners but chasing has been more fruitful in the evening games.

The average first innings score here is 196 runs this season and chasing sides have won four of the six games played here so far. 

Rain is predicted during the afternoon in Chennai, with the temperature being around 31 degrees Celsius at the start of the game. It will be quite humid with 80% humidity throughout the match time. 

Fantasy Cricket Tips for CSK vs SRH: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:  

• Ishan Kishan will be a key batter for SRH against CSK’s spin attack. He’s been in top form this season – 420 runs in 12 matches. He will be a must in your fantasy teams. 
• Sanju Samson is the best batter for CSK this season with 450 runs in 12 matches including two centuries and a fifty. Sanju will be a top C/VC choice.
• Heinrich Klaasen is the backbone for his team at number 4. He’s in excellent touch and can take on both spin and pace. He has 508 runs at an average of 50.80 with five fifties in 12 games. He scored 59 runs in the last game against CSK. 
• Urvil Patel is among the most aggressive players in the tournament. He attacks from the first ball and we’ve already seen what he’s capable of doing on his day, but SRH will test him with the short ball and wider lines.

Key batter picks: 

• Ruturaj Gaikwad has been well under par with the bat till now despite scoring two fifties. He has failed to score runs fluently and CSK badly need him to get going in this do or die game. You can back him for this match.
• Abhishek Sharma scored a 15-ball fifty against CSK in their first game this season. He’s been in great touch in IPL 2026 scoring 481 runs in 12 games with three fifties and a hundred. Abhishek will be another top C/VC option.
• Travis Head is another must-pick in your fantasy teams. He is another super aggressive opener from this match, and you can’t miss out on him. Head had a shaky start to the tournament but he still has 361 runs in 12 matches so far. 

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Shivam Dube scored 32* off 16 in the last match. He will be a key batter for CSK down the order and may bowl an over or two if needed. Dube will be a good fantasy pick. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Noor Ahmad will be CSK’s best bowler in the middle overs. He has 12 wickets so far an economy of 7.88. Noor will be a top fantasy pick and you can try him as captain too.
• Anshul Kamboj has 19 wickets but he’s been expensive in the last few matches. Kamboj will bowl the key overs for the Super Kings. 
• Pat Cummins can trouble the CSK batters with his pace and hard lengths. He’s been very smart this season with his bowling and use of conditions. 

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Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Kartik Sharma
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Akeal Hosein (if plays)
• Dewald Brevis
• Sakib Hussain
• Eshan Malinga

Other Matchups and Facts

• Head-to-Head: 23 matches, CSK 15, SRH 8. 
• Heinrich Klaasen vs. Noor Ahmad (T20s): 68 runs and 1 dismissal in 31 balls.
• Travis Head vs. Noor Ahmad (T20s): 10 runs and 2 dismissals in 9 balls.
• Ishan Kishan vs. Mukesh Choudhary (T20s): 6 runs and 3 dismissals in 7 balls. 
• Heinrich Klaasen vs. Anshul Kamboj (T20s): 0 runs and 1 dismissal in 5 balls.

IPL 2026 63rd Match: CSK vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today

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IPL 2026 63rd Match: CSK vs SRH Match Prediction: Who will win?

SRH will start as the favourites as their batters are in exceptional form compared to CSK. And, their bowlers have also bowled well. CSK will have to be at their best as a team if they are to qualify for the playoffs. 

Chennai Super Kings to win.

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