Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match No. 63 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, May 18.
CSK are sitting at No. 6 on the points table with six wins and as many defeats after playing 12 matches. On the other hand, SRH have also played 12 matches, winning seven and losing five.
These two teams faced each other earlier in the tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Orange Army won the match by 10 runs, defending a 195-run target. Eshan Malinga was the Player of the Match, bagging a three-for. With the bat, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen scored blistering half-centuries for the home side.
Predicted Impact Players for Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Shivam Dube: Shivam Dube could be the Impact Player if the Chennai Super Kings bat second. In the last game, he scored 32* off 16 balls. He is averaging 39.40 at a strike rate of 151.54 this season.
Sarfaraz Khan: Sarfaraz Khan got a few chances in the first half of the tournament and got some rapid starts. However, he failed to make them count.
Matthew Short: Matthew Short has played a couple of games so far in IPL 2026. He hasn’t lived up to his potential. If there is spin on offer, he could be brought into the side and given the ball inside the power play, as SRH have three left-handers in their top three.
Matt Henry: Matt Henry played three games earlier in the season but picked up only two wickets and conceded runs at an economy rate of 13.
Akeal Hosein: Akeal Hosein hasn’t played every game, but whenever he has, he has managed to make an impact. However, he might not play this game as the Sunrisers have three left-handers in the top order.
IPL 2026: CSK’s strongest predicted XI against SRH
Predicted Impact Players for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
Travis Head: Travis Head had a slow start to the season but has hit his straps at the right time. He 361 runs from 12 innings at an average of 30.08 and a strike rate of 171.10.
Liam Livingstone: Liam Livingstone has played only two games this season but failed to make an impact. He might not get another game this season as SRH’s overseas batters have all been in sublime nick.
Aniket Verma: Aniket Verma has not been at his best this season. He only managed 79 runs in eight innings at an average of 13.17.
Harsh Dubey: 23-year-old Harsh Dubey has eight wickets in as many games this season, averaging 28.50 at an economy rate of 10.36.
Harshal Patel: The experienced Harshal Patel has not been at his best this season. The slower balls haven’t worked at all. He played four games and went wicketless each time.
IPL 2026: SRH strongest predicted XI against CSK
Expert Opinion and Final Prediction
- Home Advantage: CSK do have the home advantage, having won four out of the six games they have played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium this season.
- Recent Form: SRH have a slight edge in the last five meetings between these sides. The 2016 champions won three and lost two.
- Balanced Side: CSK have a slightly more balanced side in this year’s IPL. The five-time champions, however, have lost Jamie Overton at a very crucial time of the season. SRH, however, have a very strong batting lineup, which sometimes makes up for the lack of experience in the bowling department.
- Prediction: The captain who wins the toss and opts to field could emerge victorious. Four out of the six games this season have been won by chasing teams.
