IPL 2022 | CSK vs PBKS | Match 38 Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

The struggling Chennai Super Kings will look to turn things around and work on multiple fronts when they take on Punjab Kings in the 38th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at Wankhede Stadium on Monday (April 25). 

With six points, Punjab Kings are in the eighth spot on the points table. In their seven games thus far, the Mayank Agarwal-led unit has won three and lost four games. 

The Kings were outplayed by Delhi Capitals by 9-wicket in their most recent encounter. None of their batters could cross the 30-run mark except Jitesh Sharma as PBKS posted a below-par total of 115 on the scoreboard, which DC chased down in 10.3 overs itself.  

Punjab have got a strong team, but they need to perform as a unit to dominate the opposition, which they have failed to do in the last couple of games. The batting form of captain Agarwal is a concern, with Jonny Bairstow also looking entirely out of touch. Shahrukh Khan is another player who is out of runs and hasn't lived up to the expectations as a finisher. 

Their bowling, however, fared well with Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep leading the pace attack and Rahul Chahar handling the spin chores. PBKS will be eager to bounce back, and Mayank Agarwal will have to lead from the front. 

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have won two of their first seven matches and are currently placed at the second-last spot on the points table. Considering 8 wins as a safe passage to playoffs, they will have to win a minimum of 6 games out of their remaining 7, making them a side that cannot be ruled out yet. 

One loss from here will make CSK rely on other teams' results and improve their NRR considerably. And the bowling has been a headache for the defending champions this season. 

With Deepak Chahar and Adam Milne being injured, they are highly banking on South African pace bowling all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, young Mukesh Choudhary, and the wily Dwayne Bravo to deliver with the ball. 

While the West Indian is doing his usual best, Mukesh's inexperience has sometimes been a bit of concern for them; however, he had a great outing against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, where he dismantled the top order of the five-time champions. 

Pretorius has quite been the find of the season for them as he has got a knack for picking wickets and looked handy with the bat and displayed in the last match. 

With the bat, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja are having an off-season. While Jadeja has not been the finisher as expected, Ruturaj might be having a second season blues. 

Veteran Robin Uthappa is carrying on the responsibility of top-order batter, averaging 32.42 at a healthy strike rate of 147.40. On the other hand, Shivam Dube has looked like a completely different player in CSK and is finally playing up to his true expectations, carrying on the middle order while averaging around 40. And the finishing job, as usual, is being carried by MS Dhoni, and he still has it in him to take his side past the finish line. 

With Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan dropped in the last match due to poor form, it will be interesting to see if the Super Kings will continue with Mitchell Santner and Dwaine Pretorius in their upcoming games. 

With other teams finding their groove just at the right time, the road ahead for CSK to qualify won't be as simple.

Match Details

Match: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 38

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Date & Time: 25th April at 7:30 PM IST and Local Time

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar  

Pitch Report 

The Wankhede Stadium has been a tricky one. While the fast bowlers have enjoyed bowling here, batters have found it tough to pile up runs in the first innings. The captain who wins the toss will be looking to bowl first, considering the dew factor that might affect the game later innings.  

Pitch Stats [Last 5 Matches] 

Matches Played: 5

Matches Won Batting First: 3

Matches Won Bowling First: 2

Average 1st Inning Score: 176

Average 2nd Inning Score: 171   

Key Matchups (in IPL)

Shivam vs Rabada: 23/2 at 121 SR

Jadeja vs Rabada: 19/1 at 190 SR

Uthappa vs Rabada: 43/1 at 123 SR

Dhoni vs Rabada: 8/1 at 53 SR 

Dhoni vs R Chahar: 17/2 at 57 SR

Dhawan vs Bravo: 112/3 at 153 SR

Gaikwad vs Arshdeep: 4/2 at 50 SR

CSK vs PBKS Head-To-Head

Matches Played: 27

CSK Won: 16

PBKS Won: 11

Injury Update/Players' Availability 

Both the teams are expected to play with an unchanged playing eleven. 

Squads 

Punjab Kings 

Mayank Agarwal (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Shahrukh Khan, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Porel, Liam Livingstone, Odeon Smith, Sandeep Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Prerak Mankad, Vaibhav Arora, Writtick Chatterjee, Baltej Dhanda, Ansh Patel, Nathan Ellis, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Benny Howell

Chennai Super Kings 

Ravindra Jadeja (captain), MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Dwaine Pretorious, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana, Chris Jordan, Mahesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, KM Asif, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, Bhagath Varma, Hari Nishanth, Subranshu Senapati

Probable Playing XI 

Chennai Super Kings 

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Mukesh Choudhary, Mahesh Theekshana, Dwaine Pretorious

Punjab Kings 

Mayank Agarwal, Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora

CREX XI Suggestion 

Wicket-Keeper: Jitesh Sharma

Batters: Robin Uthappa, Shivam Dube, Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal

All-Rounders: Liam Livingstone, Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Mahesh Theekshana, Dwayne Bravo

Captain: Liam Livingstone

Vice-Captain: Robin Uthappa