Following two consecutive losses in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Chennai Super Kings returned to winning ways with a convincing 76-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match. This victory propelled CSK to the third position in the standings, putting them within reach of a playoff spot.
Their next challenge comes against the Punjab Kings, a team that has shown resurgence, particularly with their remarkable run-chase against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.
Despite enduring four losses in the last five matches, the Punjab Kings displayed remarkable resilience in their stunning run chase against KKR. Although they currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table, they will be eager to confront CSK, a team they have defeated four times in their last five encounters.
Indeed, CSK has been unable to overcome the Punjab Kings in their most recent four meetings, with their last victory against PBKS dating back to IPL 2021, three seasons ago. In their last encounter in 2023 in Chennai, PBKS successfully chased down a target of 201 runs. As they meet again in 2024, CSK stands as the frontrunners for Playoff qualification, while PBKS currently faces a significant gap from securing a spot in the Playoffs.
Both teams have formidable batting line-ups, with CSK demonstrating greater consistency at the crease compared to PBKS, whose batters have experienced fluctuations in form. Additionally, both sides have struggled with their bowling, often conceding runs excessively.
In the last game, Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his impressive form while Daryl Mitchell finally found his rhythm. Notably, the hosts’ bowlers made breakthroughs in the Powerplay, thanks to Tushar Deshpande, addressing an area of concern for the side this season.
However, the form of Ajinkya Rahane remains a cause for concern. Rahane’s recent performances as an opener yielded scores of 5, 36, 1, 9, which do not reflect his experience or skill level. There is an argument for giving someone like Sameer Rizvi an opportunity in the playing XI, but considering CSK’s history of backing their players, Rahane is unlikely to be dropped. Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling performance will also be under scrutiny as he has struggled to take wickets this season.
PBKS could benefit greatly if the top-order batters show consistency with the bat. It would ease the burden on key players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, who have been carrying much of the batting load. Should Shikhar Dhawan make a comeback, pending a final decision on his availability on match day, it would greatly enhance Punjab’s chances.
Despite the presence of seasoned campaigners like Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran in their bowling lineup, PBKS’ bowling department appears somewhat unstable.
CSK’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has been the primary contributor with the bat in the last two matches and will be a key wicket for PBKS to secure. Given his current form, if Gaikwad settles in, he is likely to produce another big innings. However, his past record against Arshdeep Singh in the IPL has not been favourable. In their previous encounters, Arshdeep has bowled 34 deliveries to Gaikwad, conceding 37 runs at a strike rate of 108.8, and dismissing him twice. Gaikwad has struggled against left-arm pacers, and Arshdeep’s early threat with the new ball poses a significant challenge for him, making it intriguing to observe how he approaches this matchup.
It’s not just Arshdeep Singh that CSK’s opener need to be cautious of; Kagiso Rabada poses a significant threat as well. Their head-to-head statistics show 56 runs scored off 48 balls with three dismissals, indicating Rabada’s effectiveness against the in-form CSK batter. Moreover, Rabada has also troubled the big-hitting Shivam Dube, dismissing him twice in 27 balls while conceding only 33 runs.
With only three victories under their belt, this match is a must-win for the visiting team, as a defeat could extinguish their already slim chances of advancing to the Playoffs. On the other hand, Chennai is well-positioned to secure a Playoff spot. While they displayed dominance against SRH in their previous outing, they won’t underestimate PBKS. Consequently, this match promises to deliver an exciting contest in all aspects.