Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

On form, it is easy to predict the 30th match of IPL 2025. However, this league can conjure up some surprises, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are desperately hoping for a turnaround in fortunes as their season hangs by a thread.

CSK are coming off one of their worst performances in recent memory, thrashed at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders after a timid, uninspiring batting performance. They lacked any intent and belief, crawling to 103/9 – a total that KKR ate up in just 61 deliveries.

The bottom-placed CSK now travel to Lucknow to play the in-form Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). LSG have surprised many this season given how depleted their bowling stocks looked. The batting has been outstanding, with Nicholas Pooran out of this world, along with excellent contributions from Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh.

LSG, currently in fourth, can move up to top spot at the halfway mark of their season. CSK sit six points outside the top four and need a significant turnaround if they are to make a run for the playoffs. Given the difference in firepower between the two batting lineups, a CSK victory in Lucknow looks unlikely unless their bowlers can deliver the goods.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Lucknow pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 30th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 30th Match: LSG vs CSK Possible Playing XIIs

Mitch Marsh missed the LSG-GT match as his daughter was unwell. If he returns, he will slot into the XII in place of Himmat Singh. According to Cricbuzz, Marsh is expected to play.

Lucknow Super Giants: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Mitchell Marsh/Himmat Singh, 3. Nicholas Pooran, 4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 5. Ayush Badoni, 6. David Miller, 7. Abdul Samad, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Akash Deep, 10. Ravi Bishnoi, 11. Avesh Khan, 12. Digvesh Rathi

CSK have many more questions. Will they move away from the tactics that have failed so far? Is it time for Shaik Rasheed to be handed a debut?

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Devon Conway, 2. Rachin Ravindra, 3. Rahul Tripathi, 4. Vijay Shankar, 5. Shivam Dube, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 8. R Ashwin, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. Matheesha Pathirana, 12. Anshul Kamboj/Mukesh Choudhary

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow Pitch Report and Weather

Conditions have been excellent for batting in Lucknow in IPL 2025. There have been scores of 180/6, 203/8 and 171/7 so far on this ground. The two scores below 200 were chased down comfortably.

A hot and clear evening is forecast with a chance of dew in the second innings. Expect the captain who wins the toss to chase, but LSG could be tempted to bat first as a big score can bat CSK out of the game.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for LSG vs CSK: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Nicholas Pooran has hit nearly as many sixes (31) as the entire CSK team (32) this season. The dynamic left-hander is the top run-scorer in IPL 2025 (349) at an incredible strike rate of 215.43.

Key batter picks:

• Mitch Marsh, if selected, is a top Dream11 pick. The Aussie has struck four fifties in five matches this season to sit third in the Orange Cap race (265 runs, avg. 53.00, SR 180.27).
• LSG will test CSK with spin, so Shivam Dube is the key cog in the lineup. The left-hander has scored 42 and 31* in his past two games.

Top all-rounder picks:

• After a slow start to the season, Aiden Markram has found form, striking 53, 47 and 58 in his last three games. Also, Markram could bowl given CSK’s struggles against spin and number of left-handers in their lineup.

Key bowling picks:

• Matheesha Pathirana didn’t end up playing in the last game as CSK batted terribly and brought in Deepak Hooda as the impact sub. Expect CSK to throw the ball to Pathirana as soon as Pooran walks in given his great head-to-head record against the left-hander in T20s: 39 balls, 46 runs, four wickets.
• CSK have been woeful against spin this season, so watch out for Digvesh Rathi. CSK have lost the most wickets to spin, and Rathi is LSG’s second-highest wicket taker in IPL 2025.
• Noor Ahmad is the top wicket-taker in IPL 2025 with 12. He is striking every 10 balls. The left-arm spinner has strong matchups against Aiden Markram (1/20 off 25 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (2/16 off 30 balls).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Since the start of IPL 2024, Rachin Ravindra has been dismissed six times by short-pitched deliveries in 74 balls (97). Expect Shardul Thakur especially to test him with this length.
• Rachin Ravindra can go big if he gets through the powerplay. He is CSK’s top scorer this season with 149 runs.
• R Ashwin can be a differential pick considering matchups. The offspinner has dismissed Nicholas Pooran three times in 43 balls in all T20s, conceding just 40.
• Ravi Bishnoi is not having his best season, but he is worth considering given CSK’s struggles against spin.

Stats and Other Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 5, LSG 3, CSK 1, N/R 1.
• Khaleel Ahmed vs Nicholas Pooran in the IPL: 35 balls, 67 runs, two wickets.
• MS Dhoni vs LSG: 4 inns, 60 runs, SR 315.79.
• Avesh Khan vs MS Dhoni in the IPL: 22 balls, 34 runs, two wickets.

IPL 2025 30th Match: LSG vs CSK Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 30th Match: LSG vs CSK Match Prediction – Who will win?

The IPL can deliver surprises, but I’m not sure this CSK team can. LSG to win.