Punjab prevailed by 18 runs in their previous encounter this season.
With only one victory in their last five home games, CSK hasn’t had a fantastic home record lately. In the meantime, PBKS has recently been hot and chilly.
Pitch Conditions Favor Spinners
The Chepauk pitch has long been known to assist spinners, and this trend continues. As matches progress, the conditions become increasingly conducive for spin bowlers to dominate.
Dew could play a significant role, especially during the second innings, affecting how the ball behaves and potentially negating some of the pitch’s spin advantages.
Interestingly, out of the five games played here so far this season, teams bowling first have won three times.
Fans can catch the live action on the Star Sports Network and stream it on the JioHotstar app and website from 7:30 PM IST.
CSK: A Season of Struggle
It’s been a tough campaign for Chennai Super Kings this season. With just two wins from nine matches, they currently find themselves at the bottom of the points table.
Although a spot in the top four looks increasingly unlikely, CSK are determined to end their season positively by playing competitive cricket in the remaining five fixtures.
Batting has been a major concern for the team this year, with inconsistent performances across the lineup.
PBKS: Solid but Not Settled
In contrast, Punjab Kings have enjoyed a relatively strong season. With five wins from nine matches, they sit at fifth place with 11 points.
Their previous fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders was unfortunately interrupted by rain and ended with no result.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, PBKS will need to stay consistent in the remaining games to secure a playoff berth as the tournament heads toward a crucial phase.
Head-to-Head: A Tight Rivalry
The CSK vs PBKS rivalry has been a closely contested one. Out of their 31 IPL encounters, CSK have won 16 times, while PBKS have 15 victories to their name (as per ESPNcricinfo).
This record includes matches decided by Super Overs.
Earlier this season, PBKS defeated CSK, with centurion Priyansh Arya playing a match-winning knock. Interestingly, PBKS have an even record at Chepauk with four wins and four losses against CSK at their home ground.
Player Spotlight: Who to Watch
Shreyas Iyer has been in tremendous form on the road, scoring 263 runs in five away games this season with an impressive strike rate of 196.26.
Arshdeep Singh leads PBKS’ bowling unit with 11 wickets at an average of 22.72.
For CSK, Noor Ahmad has been the standout bowler, claiming 14 wickets at 17.78.
In a struggling batting unit, Shivam Dube remains CSK’s top scorer with 242 runs at an average of 34.57—the only CSK batter to cross the 200-run mark so far.