Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will field Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Akeal Hosein, while Gujarat Titans (GT) rely on Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Rashid Khan in Match 37 of IPL 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3:30 PM IST.
Currently, both teams sit on 6 points each, with CSK 8th and GT 6th on net run rate. Although CSK arrive on the back of a dominant 103-run victory over MI, GT have lost their last two games to MI and RCB, and therefore need a turnaround urgently.
CSK Playing 11 Today
Because CSK thrashed MI by 103 runs in their last game, they will not tinker with a winning combination. Accordingly, Sanju Samson continues opening after his magnificent century (101 runs at SR 187) against MI.
Furthermore, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad anchors the batting with 350 runs against GT in this rivalry at an average of 50. Additionally, Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube add middle-order depth, while Dewald Brevis provides power-hitting in the death overs with a quickfire 21 off 11 balls against MI.
On the bowling front, Akeal Hosein delivered a match-winning 4-wicket haul against MI, while Noor Ahmad took two wickets. Moreover, Anshul Kamboj leads CSK’s wicket charts with 13 scalps this season, making him one of the Purple Cap contenders. Besides that, Jamie Overton adds pace all-round value and Mukesh Choudhary handles the new ball.
CSK Predicted XI: Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary, Noor Ahmad, Akeal Hosein.
GT Playing 11 Today
Since GT have lost their last two games despite competitive totals, changes to the bowling lineup are expected. Consequently, Manav Suthar comes in to add spin depth on the turning Chepauk surface, replacing Ashok Sharma.
Besides that, Sai Sudharsan scored a superb century against RCB in the last game, taking his tally to 377 runs in 10 games this season. Additionally, Shubman Gill adds 32 runs, while Jos Buttler at No. 3 continues as the explosive middle-order anchor. Furthermore, Jason Holder contributes a quickfire 23 off 10 deliveries.
In terms of bowling, Rashid Khan holds 8 wickets against CSK in this rivalry, making him GT’s most dangerous weapon at Chepauk. Moreover, Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna lead the pace attack, while Mohammed Siraj handles the new ball. However, GT’s bowling has leaked runs in their last two matches, conceding 226 and 208 respectively.
GT Predicted XI: Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Impact Player Picks for Both Sides
CSK Impact Sub: Khaleel Ahmed
Used to strengthen the pace attack when defending a target, particularly useful if the team starts with a batting-heavy lineup.
GT Impact Sub: Rahul Tewatia
Similarly, Rahul Tewatia offers GT a power-hitting option in the death overs. Because GT’s middle order has scored the fewest runs of any team in IPL 2026, Tewatia’s ability to accelerate against spin also addresses their most glaring weakness on a turning track.
Key Players to Watch in Match 37
Firstly, the battle between Sanju Samson and Rashid Khan will be the headline duel, since Samson is coming off a century and Rashid thrives on Chepauk’s turning surface. Similarly, Ruturaj Gaikwad versus Prasidh Krishna in the powerplay promises a fascinating pace-versus-technique contest.
| Player | Team | Role | Key Highlights |
| Sanju Samson | CSK | WK-Opener | 101 runs at SR 187 vs MI; in sensational form; century man |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | Captain / Batter | 350 runs vs GT all-time; avg 50; leads from the front |
| Anshul Kamboj | CSK | Pacer | 13 wickets this season; Purple Cap contender; 3/13 vs GT in 2025 |
| Akeal Hosein | CSK | Left-arm Spinner | 4 wickets vs MI in last game; lethal on Chepauk’s turning tracks |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | Opener | 377 runs in 10 games; century vs RCB; SR 151+; GT’s batting backbone |
| Rashid Khan | GT | Leg-spinner | 8 wickets vs CSK in rivalry; thrives on turning surfaces |
| Prasidh Krishna | GT | Pacer | 11 wickets this season; former Purple Cap holder; middle-overs specialist |
Head-to-Head Record: CSK vs GT
Across 8 IPL meetings, CSK and GT are perfectly locked at 4 wins each. Notably, CSK have won 3 of the last 4 meetings, including the famous 2023 IPL Final where Jadeja hit a six and four off the last two balls to seal their fifth title.
| Category | Chennai Super Kings | Gujarat Titans |
| Matches Played | 8 | 8 |
| Wins | 4 | 4 |
| Highest Score | 230/5 | 231 |
| Record at Chepauk | 2-0 (unbeaten) | 0-2 |
Additionally, CSK’s unbeaten record at Chepauk against GT is the clearest venue advantage in this rivalry. However, GT’s 231 at Ahmedabad in 2024, powered by twin centuries from Gill and Sudharsan, remains the highest total in this fixture.
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Firstly, the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch traditionally offers equal assistance to both pace and spin, with an average first-innings T20 score of around 167. Furthermore, spinners tend to find significant grip as the match progresses, making Rashid, Hosein, and Noor Ahmad key bowlers today.
Secondly, the Chennai weather forecast shows warm conditions with a high of 34°C and humidity around 71 percent. Since this is a 3:30 PM afternoon match, the dew factor will be minimal. Consequently, batting first could be equally attractive, unlike typical evening games at Chepauk.
Besides that, the relatively slow surface means stroke-making requires patience early on. As a result, teams scoring 180 or more at Chepauk have a strong chance of defending their total, especially with spinners operating in the middle overs.
Match Prediction: Who Wins Today?
Chennai Super Kings enter as strong favourites, especially since they have never lost to GT at Chepauk and are riding the momentum of a 103-run demolition of MI. Specifically, CSK’s spin-heavy bowling attack with Hosein, Noor Ahmad, and Gurjapneet Singh suits the Chepauk surface perfectly.
On the other hand, GT‘s batting depth with Sudharsan, Gill, and Buttler can challenge any bowling attack on any surface. However, their back-to-back losses have exposed a brittle middle order, and Chepauk’s spin-friendly conditions will test them further.
As for the toss, since this is an afternoon match with minimal dew, the captain winning the flip may choose to bat first and put runs on the board. Ultimately, CSK are predicted to win this contest at their Chepauk fortress and therefore climb up the points table in the playoff race.
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Final Word
To sum up, the CSK vs GT Match 37 brings a perfectly balanced 4-4 rivalry to CSK’s spin-friendly Chepauk fortress. If Samson replicates his century form, then GT’s bowlers face a long Sunday afternoon in Chennai.
Otherwise, Sudharsan’s red-hot century streak and Rashid’s Chepauk record could give GT their first-ever win at this ground. Either way, this clash between two sides on identical points promises a playoff-defining afternoon.
