CSK vs PBKS Preview – Punjab face mighty Chennai at their home
Chennai Super Kings will host the Punjab Kings in the 41st match of the Indian Premier League at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, April 30. Both teams will be eyeing for a victory, having lost their previous games. While CSK faced a defeat against the Rajasthan Royals, PBKS were handed a 56-run defeat by the Lucknow Super Giants.
Chennai Super Kings had been riding high on confidence after winning three consecutive games, one each against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But RR put an end to their winning streak and handed them a reality check, which will force the CSK players to work on themselves so as to get back in winning form.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, saw themselves on the receiving end when they faced LSG in the reverse fixture of this season at their home ground, Mohali. The bowlers failed at their job as LSG batters wreaked havoc on the field, thereby posting a massive 257/5 in their stipulated 20 overs as the KL Rahul-led side scripted history and put up the second-highest total of the tournament’s history.
Pitch and conditions
The surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is a level-playing field, assisting batters and spinners. Previous games at the venue have seen the pacers starting off well, but the momentum eventually shifts to the spinners as the game progresses.
Venue details: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Last T20 match at the venue: SRH – 134/7 (20 overs) | CSK – 138/3 (18.4 overs)
Here’s the probable playing XI for Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings clash:
Chennai Super Kings
Except the one game against the Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings have won all their remaining home fixtures. The Men in Yellow have backed their players immensely, and have continued with the same combination for almost four games now and hence, are unlikely to make any changes. If at all there’s a need, they can bring Mitchell Santner as the all-rounder to have an extra batting and spin option. The Rayudu-Akash duo will continue being Impact Players.
Punjab Kings
Punjab found great momentum when they clinched a couple of victories in the tournament under the leadership of stand-in skipper Sam Curran. But things fell out of place in their previous game as they suffered a humiliating defeat. Hence, they’d look to make amends in the next game.
