(PC- IPL/BCCI)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are taking on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today, 30 April 2025, in the 49th match of this year’s IPL. PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, one of the biggest updates from the toss is the absence of one of PBKS’s key players, Glenn Maxwell, who is missing this match due to a fractured finger. The team has not yet named a replacement, which could suggest that he is likely to miss the remainder of the IPL. If that proves to be the case, it would be a significant setback for PBKS, who rely heavily on Maxwell in the middle order. His part-time off-spin and outstanding fielding are also valuable assets.
Iyer said at the toss: “Unfortunate that he’s got a fractured finger (Maxwell). Haven’t decided on a replacement so far.”
PBKS bought Maxwell for INR 4.2 crore at the auction, and fans had high hopes for him. However, the Australian has failed to deliver with the bat, scoring only 48 runs in seven matches at a poor average of 8.00 and a strike rate of 97.96. His highest score this season is 30, with just five fours and one six across all games. With the ball, however, he has taken four wickets in seven matches, with an economy rate of 8.46.
PBKS currently find themselves in a tricky position on the IPL points table—they are fifth, with 11 points from nine matches and five games remaining. Sixteen points have historically been the magic number for playoff qualification in the IPL, meaning PBKS must win at least three more matches to secure a spot in the playoffs.