Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, and Anshul Kamboj are the key players to watch in CSK vs GT Match 37 of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday, April 26.
Chennai Super Kings are on a three-match winning streak, including a massive 103-run demolition of Mumbai Indians, and sit 5th with three wins from seven matches.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are 7th with three wins from seven games, coming off a 5-wicket loss to RCB despite a brilliant century from Sai Sudharsan.
This is an afternoon match (3:30 PM IST) at Chepauk’s spin-friendly surface, which means no dew and a clear advantage for teams batting first.
Key Players To Watch Out For From Both Teams
| Category | Player Name | Team | Key Role / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Sanju Samson (wk) | CSK | Century vs MI in last match; red-hot form this season. |
| Batsman | Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | CSK | 600+ runs at Chepauk; avg 45+; king of this venue. |
| Batsman | Sarfaraz Khan | CSK | 122 runs at SR 182.09; valuable middle-order contributor. |
| Batsman | Shubman Gill (c) | GT | 297 runs in 6 innings including 3 fifties; leading GT scorer. |
| Batsman | Sai Sudharsan | GT | Century vs RCB; closing in on 2,000 IPL runs (1,928 in 46 innings). |
| Batsman | Jos Buttler (wk) | GT | Explosive opener; excellent record against spin. |
| Bowler | Noor Ahmad | CSK | 13 wickets this season; leading Purple Cap contender; best on spinning Chepauk. |
| Bowler | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 13 wickets in IPL 2026; joint-leader in Purple Cap race. |
| Bowler | Akeal Hosein | CSK | 4 wickets vs MI; left-arm orthodox spin threat at Chepauk. |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan | GT | Returning to form; lethal on any spinning track. |
| Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 10 wickets this season; 3/33 vs MI in last outing. |
| Bowler | Prasidh Krishna | GT | 12 wickets (2nd in Purple Cap); bowls powerplay and death. |
| All-Rounder | Shivam Dube | CSK | Avg 44.50, SR 164.82; spin-basher in the middle overs. |
| All-Rounder | Washington Sundar | GT | Tight off-spin and handy batting; ideal for Chepauk. |
Key Player Battles To Watch: CSK vs GT
This spin-heavy clash at Chepauk features three fascinating individual matchups.
| Battle | CSK Player | GT Player | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spin vs Captain | Noor Ahmad | Shubman Gill | Purple Cap leader (13 wickets) on his favourite surface vs GT’s leading scorer (297 runs). The match-defining duel. |
| Spin vs Spin | Akeal Hosein | Jos Buttler | Hosein’s 4-wicket haul vs MI on turning surfaces. Buttler’s record vs left-arm spin (SR 92) could be tested. |
| Pace vs Power | Anshul Kamboj | Sai Sudharsan | Kamboj’s 13 wickets vs Sudharsan’s century form. Powerplay battle on Chepauk’s grippy surface. |
CSK vs GT: Head-to-Head Record in IPL
The CSK vs GT rivalry has been firmly dominated by CSK in recent meetings.
CSK have won 4 of the last 5 clashes against GT, including at Chepauk where conditions favour their spin-heavy attack. both teams had won 4 games against each other.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| CSK Wins (Last 5 vs GT) | 4 |
| GT Wins (Last 5 vs GT) | 1 |
| Both Teams’ Points | 8 Points each (CSK 5th, GT 7th) |
| CSK Home Record (IPL 2026) | 2 wins in 3 matches at Chepauk |
| CSK Win Streak | 3 consecutive wins (including 103-run win vs MI) |
| GT Last Match | Lost to RCB by 5 wickets despite Sudharsan century |
Chepauk Pitch And Conditions: What To Expect
The MA Chidambaram Stadium is one of the most unique venues in IPL cricket.
The average first-innings score at Chepauk in IPL 2026 is just 158 runs, with an average of 6 wickets falling per innings.
Importantly, this is a 3:30 PM afternoon match, which means no dew factor. Batting becomes increasingly difficult as the match progresses.
Consequently, batting first is a significant advantage. A total of around 160 is competitive on this surface.
Spinners dominate the middle overs, with Noor Ahmad, Akeal Hosein, and Rashid Khan all expected to thrive on this turning track.
Fast bowlers may find early movement with the new ball, giving Kamboj and Prasidh a window in the first 3 overs.
Probable Playing XIs for CSK vs GT Match 37
Here are the Probable playing XI for CSK vs GT Match:
CSK Probable XI
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh
Impact Player: Prashant Veer or Matthew Short
Note: MS Dhoni may return for this home match after recovering from a calf strain. Ayush Mhatre is ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Akash Madhwal.
GT Probable XI
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder
Impact Player: Prasidh Krishna or Rahul Tewatia
Note: Prasidh Krishna was used as an impact player against RCB and could be deployed similarly here depending on conditions.
Suggested Reads:
Final Verdict: Both Teams Ready With Balanced Squad For Clash
This is a finely-balanced contest between two teams locked on 8 points, both desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race.
CSK‘s home advantage on a spin-friendly Chepauk surface, the Noor-Hosein-Kamboj bowling trio, and their three-match winning streak make them favourites.
However, GT boast the best pace attack in the tournament and have Rashid Khan as a genuine threat on any turning surface.
Regardless of the result, this Sunday afternoon clash promises a tactical, spin-dominated contest that could have major playoff implications.
