R Ashwin ‘spots’ Anshul Kamboj at CM Vijay's oath ceremony, tells CSK star to ‘get a cab & get to Chepauk ASAP’
Ravichandran Ashwin poked fun at CSK pacer Anshul Kamboj during Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay's oath-taking ceremony. Notably, Kamboj is CSKs highest wicket-taker in IPL 2026. CSK are hosting LSG in an IPL 2026 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
Ravichandran Ashwin left the internet in splits when the former India spinner hilariously joked with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Anshul Kamboj, just hours before their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Lucknow Super Kings (LSG). It's a busy Sunday for the people in Tamil Nadu.
Following Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) historic electoral victory, C Joseph Vijay took oath as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The actor, who is a superstar in Tamil cinema, formed a coalition government, which also includes Congress. But what caught Ashwin's eye is the security person, standing beside Vijay, a lookalike to Kamboj.
Without wasting an opportunity, Ashwin took to X (Twitter) and poked fun at his former teammate at the franchise. "Duty always comes first, but on a must-win match day #CSKVLSG, it's a bit too much. It's a day game, get a cab & get to Chepauk ASAP, Anshul Kamboj. Big game," Ashwin wrote.
Quick answers to key questions
R Ashwin joked with Anshul Kamboj, who was seen as a security person at a political event, about getting to Chepauk for the CSK vs LSG match because Kamboj resembled him and it was a crucial game day.
A win against LSG would help CSK reach 12 points, making the IPL 2026 playoffs race more interesting. For LSG, a loss would virtually end their playoff chances.
The Chepauk pitch in Chennai is known to be spin-friendly, especially in the afternoon. With zero dew factor and high temperatures, the surface dries aggressively, making it harder to bat on in the second innings and aiding spinners.
Anshul Kamboj has been CSK's best bowler so far in IPL 2026, taking 18 wickets and breaking LSG's opening stand in a previous match.
MS Dhoni has missed 11 consecutive matches for CSK due to a calf strain. Although he has returned to net sessions, he is reportedly not match-fit for running between wickets.
Notably, Kamboj has been CSK's best bowler (18 wickets) in IPL 2026 so far and also broke LSG's opening stand, by getting better of dangerous Mitchell Marsh. CSK are hosting LSG in an IPL 2026 match on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. Earlier, Ashwin has wished Vijay after the election results.
“Naalaiya Theerpu to Netraiya Theerpu!! Congratulations to Thalapathy and his party for the fabulous result. Good luck & I would love to go from being your super fan to a leader I would want to follow for what lies ahead,” wrote the former India spinner, who finished with more than 500 Test wickets.
Chennai Super Kings at IPL 2026
A five-time champion in IPL, CSK started their IPL 2026 campaign with three consecutive losses before staging a brilliant turnaround with five wins in their last seven games. At present, CSK stand sixth in the IPL 2026 Points Table with 10 points and are pretty much in contention for playoffs.
With No MS Dhoni so far in this season due to injury, Sanju Samson has successfully filled the void with his wicketkeeping skills and also with the bat. In fact, Samson has already smashed two hundreds in IPL 2026. Dhoni missed his 11th game on the trot in IPL 2026, the latest against LSG.
Why Ashwin called CSK vs LSG a must-win game?
A win on Sunday against LSG will help CSK join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals on 12 points, thus making the IPL 2026 playoffs race more interesting. With just three wins in 10 games, the playoffs chances are virtually over for the Rishabh Pant-led side. A loss against CSK will certainly shut all doors for LSG.
If CSK win, they go to 12 points from 11 games and will need to win their remaining three games to ensure a place in the top four.
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
About the Author
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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