IPL 2026 Revenge Week: CSK's Gurjapneet Singh returns as Ngidi replaces Jamieson for DC

Key facts

• Gurjapneet Singh and Akeal Hosein are back in CSK's XI for the match against DC.
• Lungi Ngidi replaces Dwayne Pretorius in the Delhi Capitals lineup.
• DC won the toss and elected to bat first.
• Tristan Stubbs survived a dropped catch by CSK's Noor Ahmed.
• PBKS, RCB and RR hold the top three spots in the IPL 2026 standings.
• Revenge Week features key rematches including CSK vs MI on May 2 and RCB vs MI on May 10.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit the second-fastest century in IPL history against GT.
• GT lead RR 6-3 overall head-to-head, but recent meetings are split 3-3.

Toss and Team Changes: Ngidi, Gurjapneet in the Spotlight

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bat first against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. DC made one change, bringing in South African pacer Lungi Ngidi for the injured Dwayne Pretorius. CSK, meanwhile, bolstered their spin attack by including left-arm orthodox bowler Gurjapneet Singh and West Indian Akeal Hosein, replacing the duo of Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Prashant Solanki. Gurjapneet Singh, a 24-year-old left-arm spinner from Punjab, has been impressive in domestic cricket and earned his IPL debut earlier this season. His inclusion adds variety to CSK's bowling attack, which has relied heavily on the experienced Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana. Akeal Hosein, the Trinidadian all-rounder, provides both bowling depth and lower-order batting firepower.

Stubbs' Reprieve: Dropped Chance Adds Drama

Early in the DC innings, Tristan Stubbs, the South African batter, got a life when CSK's Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed dropped a straightforward catch at deep midwicket. Stubbs, batting on 12 at the time, went on to score a crucial 47 off 31 balls, anchoring the DC innings. The dropped catch proved costly as Stubbs' innings helped DC post a competitive total of 168 for 6 in their 20 overs. Noor Ahmed, playing his first match of the season, had earlier dismissed opener Prithvi Shaw for 8, but the dropped chance overshadowed his otherwise tidy spell of 1 for 28 in 4 overs. The incident highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket, where a single lapse can shift momentum.

IPL 2026 Standings: Top Three Hold Firm, Mid-Table Battle Intensifies

As the tournament enters its second half, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals occupy the top three positions, each with 12 points from 8 matches. PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, have been dominant, winning 6 of their 8 games. RCB, the defending champions, have continued their strong form with a balanced squad, while RR have relied on explosive batting from the likes of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Teams in the bottom half, including Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, are desperate to turn their fortunes around. MI, in particular, have struggled in big matches, losing to both RCB and CSK earlier in the season. The upcoming Revenge Week, a concept introduced by broadcaster JioStar, features several rematches that could reshape the playoff race.

Revenge Week: Key Fixtures and Stakes

Revenge Week, running from May 2 to May 10, promises high-stakes encounters with unfinished business from earlier meetings. The opening clash on May 2 sees CSK take on MI in the IPL's El Clásico. CSK won the earlier encounter at Wankhede by 6 wickets, and the reverse fixture at Chepauk is expected to be equally intense. On May 3, SRH host KKR in a rematch of their season opener, which SRH won. However, KKR have since found form, winning back-to-back games, while SRH have surged with five consecutive victories. Another standout fixture is RR vs GT on May 9, where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking century in Jaipur earlier this season remains fresh. RR won that match by 5 runs, defending 15 off the last over. GT, led by Shubman Gill, will seek revenge after a tight loss. The final match of Revenge Week on May 10 features RCB vs MI, with RCB looking to consolidate their top spot and MI needing wins to stay in playoff contention.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Heroics and GT-RR Rivalry

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 22-year-old RR opener, announced himself on the big stage by smashing the second-fastest century in IPL history — off 39 balls — against GT at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. His innings included 8 sixes and 11 fours, dismantling an international-quality GT bowling attack comprising Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan and Alzarri Joseph. That match saw RR post 224 for 4, with Sooryavanshi scoring 107 not out. Despite that loss, GT have historically dominated the head-to-head, leading 6-3. However, the last six meetings are split 3-3, indicating a shift in competitiveness. GT's recent form has improved with two wins in their last three games, while RR have been inconsistent, losing to PBKS and SRH before bouncing back against GT. The rivalry adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Revenge Week fixture.

What's Next: Playoff Race and Key Player Form

With 10 matches remaining in the league stage, the playoff race is wide open. The top four spots are currently held by PBKS (12 points), RCB (12), RR (12) and CSK (10), but teams like SRH (10) and KKR (8) are within striking distance. MI, with only 6 points, need to win at least 4 of their remaining 6 games to have a realistic chance. Key players to watch include Jasprit Bumrah, who has struggled for rhythm after injury, and Shreyas Iyer, who missed a century by 3 runs against GT last season but has since led PBKS to two wins over the Titans. For CSK, the return of Gurjapneet Singh adds a new dimension, while DC will rely on Lungi Ngidi's pace to exploit the Chepauk pitch, which traditionally assists spinners.

The bottom line

• Gurjapneet Singh and Akeal Hosein return to CSK's lineup, while Lungi Ngidi replaces Dwayne Pretorius for DC.
• Tristan Stubbs was dropped by Noor Ahmed early in his innings but went on to score 47, helping DC post 168/6.
• PBKS, RCB and RR lead the IPL 2026 standings with 12 points each, while MI languish at the bottom with 6 points.
• Revenge Week features five key rematches, including CSK vs MI and RCB vs MI, which could decide playoff berths.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 39-ball century against GT is the second-fastest in IPL history, highlighting RR's batting firepower.
• GT lead RR 6-3 overall head-to-head, but recent matches are evenly split, setting up a tight contest on May 9.