PBKS VS CSK Match Preview, Players Stats and Playing 11....

Important News

1. Devon Convey is not available for Selection

2. J Bairstow's poor performance is a matter of concern for the team, it is expected that bhanuka rajapaksa can be included in his place

3. There is a high chance of M Santner can be replaced by M Ali

4. R Gayakwad and R Uthappa Open for CSK While M Agarwal and S Dhawan Open for Punjab

Pitch Report

Wankhede Stadium has always been good for batting. 173 is a average score of this ground in this Year. There is an even bounce on the track, and the shorter boundaries make the job even easier for the batters. There will be a massive dew factor and both teams would want to bowl first after winning the toss. With the super-fast outfield, high-scoring games are always on the cards at Wankhede Stadium.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings

Mayank Agarwal , Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow/Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Santner/Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja , MS Dhoni (wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Dwayne Bravo, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary

Punjab Kings

Liam Livingstone blew CSK away earlier this season with a 32-ball 60 and 2/25. Livingstone is particularly brilliant in the middle overs – he has struck 151 runs at a strike rate of 171.59 in this phase

Shikhar Dhawan’s favourite opponent in terms of runs. His 941 runs is the most he has against any franchise, scored at an average of 40.91 and strike rate of 129.26.
Bravo dismissed Dhawan in the previous meeting, but the left-hander has a good record against him: 112 off 73, three dismissals (avg. 37.3, SR 153.4)

Mayank Agarwal, on the other hand, averages just 16.13 in 15 innings against CSK. He fares better at the Wankhede, with 297 runs in 10 innings on this ground at an average of 29.70 and strike rate of 144.88

Kagiso Rabada has taken six wickets in as many matches vs CSK. He has some good head-to-head records against CSK’s key players. Rabada has dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad once in 14 balls (19 runs), Dube twice 19 balls (23 runs), Rayudu once in 23 balls (21 runs), Jadeja twice in 15 balls (27 runs) and Dhoni once in 21 balls (10 runs).
Also, Rabada has taken 11 wickets in seven matches at the Wankhede at a strike rate of 14.73.

Rahul Chahar, who is PBKS’ leading wicket-taker this season (10), took 3/25 against CSK earlier this season. Overall vs CSK, he concedes just 5.80 runs per over, with nine wickets in as many matches.

Arshdeep Singh has dismissed Gaikwad twice in 19 deliveries in the IPL. This battle will be key given Gaikwad’s struggle against left-arm seam.

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad is averaging just 15 and has one 50+ score in IPL 2022. His struggle against left-arm seam will be in the spotlight today; he has been dismissed eight times in 93 balls by this bowling type in the IPL

Shivam Dube is CSK’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2022 (239) thanks to some key adjustments in his batting. He is averaging 39.83 and is striking at 161.48, which includes a 30-ball 57 vs PBKS earlier in IPL 2022. Against spin, he strikes at 141.17 with just the one dismissal (96 runs)

Ambati Rayudu has struck two 40+ scores in his last two matches. He is one of three players to have 1,000 runs at the Wankhede, although he would want to improve on his average of 20.41 on this ground at 24.69 vs Punjab

MS Dhoni has smashed 560 runs for CSK against PBKS at an average of 50.91 and strike rate of 146.98. However, he strikes at less than 50 vs Rabada and has scored just 17 off 30 vs Chahar (two dismissals). So, how well he can take down the other bowlers will be interesting to see should he get the chance

Dwayne Bravo is CSK’s leading wicket-taker this season (12). Also, he enjoys bowling at the Wankhede, where he has taken 24 wickets in 17 IPL matches at a strike rate of 15
Against PBKS, Bravo has taken 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 22.94 and economy rate of 8.34.

Dwaine Pretorius has been impressive this season (four wickets, 30 runs off 18 balls, one catch). Also, he has some good numbers against Livingstone, with figures of 2/13 in 15 deliveries.

Maheesh Theekshana has taken seven wickets in four matches this season at an economy of 7.68.

Mukesh Choudhary was player of the match last game vs MI after ripping through their top order (3/19).

Other Stats and Facts

Head-to-head: Matches 27, CSK 16, PBKS 11

PBKS (180/8) beat CSK (126) easily in their previous meeting in IPL 2022.

Dhawan and Livingstone smashed a 95-run partnership of 52 balls.

Shikhar Dhawan strikes at 113.1 against offspin in the IPL (avg. 38). Agarwal, on the other hand, strikes at 163.9 with an average of 25.2. So, expect Dhawan to drop anchor early while Agarwal looks to take on Maheesh Theekshana.

Jitesh Sharma has struck 10 fours and seven sixes in 74 deliveries in IPL 2022.

Three of those sixes came in 17 balls vs CSK earlier in IPL 2022.

Ravindra Jadeja has struck just 92 runs this season, which includes a duck against PBKS. Also, he has just the five wickets to date, three of which came in a single game against RCB.

Punjab Kings are the highest-scoring team in the powerplay this season (9.52), but have lost the most wickets in the middle overs (29) and third-most at the death (16). Eyes will be on the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Dwaine Pretorius