In the 53rd game of the 2024 Indian Premier League campaign, Punjab Kings are all set to host Chennai Super Kings in their own backyard at the scenic venue of Dharamshala.
Chennai Super Kings find themselves in a spot of bother, positioned at fifth in the points table, whereas Punjab Kings are slowly finding their way back into the top four race, currently seventh on the points table with eight points after ten games.
What has happened so far?
Chennai Super Kings were cruising towards the playoffs until they encountered their first defeat at home at the hands of the Lucknow Super Giants. With their recent loss against Punjab Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, they’ve now suffered three defeats in their last four games, leaving them in a precarious position with ten points from ten games.
This upcoming match marks a quick turnaround for both teams since their last encounter in the 49th game of the Indian Premier League.
Despite a slow start on a tricky track, CSK’s opening pair managed to put up 64 runs before being dismissed. Ruturaj Gaikwad played a pivotal role, leading the team from the front despite the loss of regular wickets, ultimately helping them post a challenging total of 162.
In pursuit of 163, Prabhsimran’s early departure seemed like a setback, but Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw formed a solid half-century partnership, steering the team towards safer shores. Even after the dismissals of Bairstow and Rossouw, Sam Curran and Shashank Singh ensured victory for PBKS, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Head to Head Record
In their ongoing battle for supremacy, Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings have consistently delivered closely contested matches, with the rivalry intensifying notably over the past two seasons.
In the 29 encounters between the two teams, CSK has emerged victorious in 15, while PBKS has secured a win in 13 matches.
In their previous encounter, Chennai Super Kings faced PBKS at Chepauk. Batting first, the Chennai-based outfit could only muster 162 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Punjab Kings chased down the target easily with seven wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare.
However, the tide has turned in recent times, with the Chandigarh-based franchise asserting its dominance in the last five face-offs, emerging victorious in each of these encounters.
Key Players
Jonny Bairstow (Punjab Kings): Despite a sluggish start to his campaign, Jonny Bairstow has found his rhythm recently, boasting an impressive average of 154 in the last two games. His monumental contribution, including a century against the Kolkata Knight Riders, proved instrumental in guiding the team to a remarkable and record-breaking chase.
Jonny Bairstow has found form at the right time ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup
In eight innings so far, Bairstow has amassed 250 runs at a striking rate of 165.56, maintaining an average of 35.71. His tally includes a century and an impressive count of 13 sixes. As the team gears up for the match at Dharamshala, Bairstow’s form positions him as a crucial player for his side.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings): Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to display his class and elegance in the ongoing campaign. Currently, as the skipper of CSK, he holds the orange cap, surpassing Virat Kohli by nine runs, courtesy of a patient and well-constructed innings against PBKS.
In IPL 2024, Gaikwad has been a standout performer, accumulating 509 runs from ten innings, including a century and four half-centuries. The Maharashtra-born player boasts an impressive average of 63.63 and a striking strike rate of 146.6. In the previous game, he contributed 62 runs from 48 deliveries, playing a vital role in helping the side achieve a respectable total.
Team News from Both Camps
The Punjab Kings boast a settled lineup despite the absence of star batter Shikhar Dhawan due to injury. Liam Livingstone is nursing a hamstring issue and Sikandar Raza has been called up for national duties. Nonetheless, the inclusion of Rilee Rossouw has filled the void in the middle order, maintaining their formidable balance.
In contrast, Chennai Super Kings are grappling with injuries and line-up adjustments, with key players Deepak Chahar and Matheesha Pathirana battling fitness concerns. Mustafizur Rahman’s departure for national duty further complicates matters.
Predicted XIs
Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran ©, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad ©, Moeen Ali, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Tushar Deshpande, Shardul Thakur, Richard Gleeson, Matheesha Pathirana
Prediction
In a scorching afternoon showdown, CSK find themselves in a race against the clock, needing a minimum of three wins out of their next four matches to secure a playoff berth, while the Punjab Kings must go all out in each game to keep their playoff hopes alive.
With PBKS riding high on their recent hot streak, expectations are high for a fiercely contested battle where both teams will leave everything on the field in pursuit of victory, promising a thrilling showdown.