Chennai Super Kings face Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Match 45 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday, 1 May 2026, starting at 19:30 IST (UTC+5:30). The venue holds 50,000 spectators. Chennai Super Kings are five-time IPL champions (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023). Gujarat Titans are one-time champions (2022). Ruturaj Gaikwad captains Chennai Super Kings and Shubman Gill leads Gujarat Titans.

M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is a spin-friendly surface. The slow, low pitch rewards wrist spinners and batters who can sweep and slog-sweep effectively. The Chepauk crowd is famously passionate, and CSK’s squad is built specifically around these conditions, making this one of the most difficult away assignments in the IPL.

Gujarat Titans have shown the ability to adapt to different pitch conditions, a key quality that helped them win the IPL title in their debut season on varied surfaces.

Match times by timezone

IPL 2026 Match 45 starts at 19:30 IST (UTC+5:30) in Chennai. Fans in India and across the subcontinent watch during prime time. UK viewers tune in at 2:00 PM GMT (UTC+0) in London. Australian fans in Sydney and Melbourne follow the action at 12:00 AM AEST (UTC+10). US East Coast viewers can watch from 10:00 AM EDT (UTC-4) in New York. For the exact current local time in India, check India time.

With the IPL group stage delivering only four playoff spots from ten teams, every match in the second half of the season carries maximum stakes. A two-point win not only improves a franchise’s position in the table but also strengthens their net run rate, which can be the deciding factor when two sides finish level on points. Both Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans will approach this fixture with full intent, knowing that the difference between a playoff berth and an early exit can come down to a single result.