The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to face off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, April 30.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Preview
Once a stronghold for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Chepauk has already been breached by four teams in IPL 2025. If that pattern continues and Punjab Kings (PBKS) triumph on Wednesday night, CSK’s playoff hopes will officially come to an end.
CSK’s batting woes are even more alarming, and after a string of defeats, head coach Stephen Fleming has pointed to November’s mega auction as the root of their struggles.
The Super Kings have already fielded as many as 21 players this season. With their slim playoff hopes quickly fading, the remaining fixtures may serve as a platform to test fresh faces and begin laying the foundation for the next auction. They’ve already begun looking ahead by gradually integrating youngsters like Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis into the side, while also putting prospects such as Vansh Bedi and Ramakrishna Ghosh through match-simulation drills at their High Performance Academy located on the outskirts of Chennai.
To their credit, CSK have made noticeable efforts to evolve beyond their rigid, tried-and-tested formula. They’ve used 21 players across nine matches this season, and in their most recent outing, fielded their youngest team since 2009 — featuring the second-youngest opening combination in IPL history and the youngest ever for CSK. Still, despite the infusion of youth and a shift in mindset, a lot more is needed to reignite their campaign and start turning performances into points.
For CSK, Khaleel Ahmed has been their standout performer in the powerplay, claiming eight wickets in nine innings at an economy of 8.70 — the most wickets by any bowler in that phase this IPL season.
However, CSK’s batting in the powerplay has been far from explosive. They’ve cleared the ropes only five times in the first six overs all season, with new signing Ayush Mhatre accounting for two of those sixes.
Meanwhile, CSK find themselves in unfamiliar territory at home, having suffered four consecutive defeats at Chepauk — only the second such streak in their history, the first coming between 2008 and 2010. Adding to their woes, they stand on the brink of an unwanted record — the team has never lost more than four matches at home in a single IPL season.
PBKS, on the other hand, could do with an additional batter in their lineup. Their middle order has remained largely untested so far, and with just one point collected from their last two matches, they’ve slipped back into the mid-table logjam — a position they’ll be eager to escape as they look to make a strong push for a top-four finish.
Much will once again hinge on the openers. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya bring aggressive intent and firepower at the top, but the batting lineup becomes shaky further down. Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis have yet to deliver meaningful performances this season, a key factor behind PBKS’ middle order recording the second-lowest strike rate (130.75) and third-lowest average (24.17) among all ten teams.
In an attempt to address the issue, PBKS promoted Marco Jansen to No. 5 against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but the experiment failed as the allrounder managed just 3 runs off 7 deliveries. While Inglis has shown his skill against spin, the team might consider recalling Marcus Stoinis — who smashed a memorable century at Chepauk in IPL 2024 — to inject much-needed experience and firepower.
Despite smashing a 39-ball century — his maiden IPL ton — something still felt incomplete for Priyansh Arya. “I wanted to talk to Dhoni sir, but he had left the ground by that time,” the 24-year-old revealed during a media roundtable, just days after his match-winning knock helped Punjab Kings defeat Chennai Super Kings by 18 runs in Mullanpur.
Luckily for Arya, he now gets another chance. PBKS are in Chennai for the reverse fixture — a city where Dhoni is almost impossible to miss. Within just two days of arrival, Yuzvendra Chahal had already met the CSK legend and even secured one of his bats — a moment featured in a PBKS video where Arya can be heard joking that another Haryana cricketer might soon be laying claim to it.
While Arya hasn’t had his moment with Dhoni just yet, he’ll be hoping to steal a few minutes with the icon after the game. But he isn’t sure if it’ll be the right moment — not if CSK lose again. A defeat would not only confirm their exit from the playoffs race, but also mark the first time they’ve missed the knockouts in two consecutive seasons.
PBKS’ Glenn Maxwell has struggled with the bat this season, managing just 48 runs in six innings at a strike rate below 100. However, his offspin could prove valuable against CSK’s left-handers. Notably, he has a solid IPL record against Shivam Dube, having conceded only 26 runs off 27 balls while dismissing him once.
Punjab Kings’ Yuzvendra Chahal has had the upper hand against key CSK batters in the IPL. He has restricted Ravindra Jadeja to just 31 runs off 30 deliveries while dismissing him twice. Against CSK skipper MS Dhoni, Chahal has been equally effective, conceding 102 runs off 80 balls and removing him on three occasions.
In contrast to CSK’s powerplay struggles, PBKS have smashed 27 sixes in the first six overs this season — highlighting a stark difference in intent and firepower up top.
Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas has been remarkably consistent on the road this season, scoring 50 or more in four of his five away innings, with his only failure coming against RCB in Bengaluru.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Recent Form
Chennai Super Kings: LLWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Punjab Kings: LWWLW
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Head-to-Head
CSK lead 16-15 against PBKS. However, PBKS have emerged victorious in six of the last seven encounters, including victories at Chepauk in both 2023 and 2024.
- Matches Played: 32
- Won by Chennai Super Kings: 17
- Won by Punjab Kings: 14
- Tied: 01
- No Result: 00
- First-ever Fixture: April 19, 2008
- Most-recent Fixture: April 8, 2025
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The conditions at Chepauk remain unpredictable, even for the home team. MS Dhoni has admitted that CSK have struggled to adapt to the pitch since it was relaid in 2010. “The groundstaff are doing their best, but we are never certain about the wicket’s behavior,” Dhoni shared on Friday. Dew played a significant role in CSK’s last match, and it was already present on Tuesday evening. As a result, the team winning the toss will likely opt to chase again.
The pitch is made of black soil and is located at the center of the square, with boundaries of around 75 and 72 meters on either side. The weather forecast predicts a slightly overcast day, reducing the likelihood of dew forming.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chennai Super Kings – Team News
There are no reported injuries in the Chennai Super Kings squad. CSK could consider giving uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Vansh Bedi a chance, possibly replacing Deepak Hooda. R. Ashwin may also make a return if the Chepauk surface offers assistance to spinners. Ashwin has rejoined the CSK squad after receiving his Padma Shri award in Delhi on Monday.
Dewald Brevis has been in exceptional form this year in T20s, averaging just under 48 and striking at over 181. PBKS’ bowlers, especially the spinners, will face a tough challenge against the young talent, with his duel against Yuzvendra Chahal being a key matchup to watch.
Chennai Super Kings – Predicted Lineup
- Ayush Mhatre
- Shaik Rasheed
- Sam Curran
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Vansh Bedi/Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar
- MS Dhoni (capt & wk)
- Anshul Kamboj/R Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Matheesha Pathirana
Punjab Kings – Team News
There are no reported injuries in the Punjab Kings squad. PBKS will need to decide between Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis for a place in the lineup, as well as choose between Azmatullah Omarzai and Xavier Bartlett for the bowling attack.
Glenn Maxwell’s struggles against spin have been noticeable since the start of IPL 2024. In ten innings facing spin, the Australian all-rounder has been dismissed by it in all but one. While his offspin could prove useful on the slow, spinning surface at Chepauk, his batting form will need a significant improvement if PBKS hopes to secure two points at this venue.
Punjab Kings – Predicted XI
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Josh Inglis/Marcus Stoinis
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marco Jansen
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Harpreet Brar
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Arshdeep Singh
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Players To Watch Out For
For the first time in IPL history, four uncapped Indian players will open the batting in a match.
Chennai Super Kings
Ayush Mhatre and Shaik Rasheed have brought a refreshing change to CSK’s previously stagnant batting approach. Mhatre, in particular, has showcased aggressive intent, frequently clearing the boundary during the powerplay.
Just two days after his India Under-19 opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi made an impression, Mhatre will look to shine at Chepauk.
Punjab Kings
Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have been in excellent form, scoring at a rate of 10.69 this season, just behind Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s 10.89 among opening pairs.
The last time PBKS faced CSK, Arya made a memorable debut with a 39-ball century. Will it be Prabhsimran’s turn to step up and deliver a big performance?
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Punjab Kings Total: 160-170
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 40-50
- Chennai Super Kings Total: 150-160
- Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match
When and Where To Watch Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Riders LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday, April 30, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
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