IPL 2023 | Predicted Playing XI for Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings

Liam Livingstone walks off after getting out against LSG (AP Photo)

The 41st match of the 2023 IPL edition is all expected to unfold at Chepauk Stadium, Chennai where the hosts Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) . The game is expected to commence on April 30 at 3:30 PM local time.

CSK have overall looked very composed in the tournament and have bagged 5 wins under their belt. They would be a touch disappointed after crashing out against Royals in their last encounter at Jaipur. On the other hand, Punjab Kings have won 4 out of 8 fixtures so far in the season and would be eyeing for a remarkable comeback after being thoroughly decimated by the LSG in their last fixture. 

Chennai Super Kings

Openers

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

The duo has so far fared well in this year's tournament and has amassed some vital runs at the top of the order. Gaikwad currently averages 45.29 this season and played an impressive knock of 47 (29) the other day against RR in a losing cause.  Conway has looked on song and is currently the highest run scorer for his side this season averaging around 46. They are the leading run scorers for CSK this season and the opening combination is unlikely to change. 

Middle Order

Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni

CSK's middle order is packed with hard hitting all-rounders and have the luxury of the great finisher MSD, who is known to finish the games in style. They can play the anchoring innings and also shift gears whenever the situation calls for it. 

Rahane has roared back to form after scoring a scintillating 71 (29) against KKR which powered his side to an emphatic win. Dube has been knocking it at an astronomical strike rate of 157 with three 50 plus scores already this season. Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja have made decent contributions with the bat and the ball this season, sharing 18 wickets between them whilst averaging over 20 with the bat.

Bowlers

Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Akash Singh

Tushar Deshpande has been the pick of the bowlers for CSK this season. Although he has been a touch on the higher side, the 27-year-old bloke has been consistently firing with the ball and has so far picked up 14 wickets at an impressive average of 22.85.  Maheesh Theekshana has been tidy with the ball and has contained the flow of runs during the middle overs with his subtle variations. 

Matheesha Pathirana has looked quite impressive in his 4 games so far and has the ability to nail toe lightening yorkers. He will come good with more games under his belt. Akash Singh has been deployed as an impact player option on a few occasions and has delivered for his side in match defining moments. 

Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings:

Devon Conway,  Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja,  MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Singh

Impact Players

Ambati Rayudu

Dwaine Pretorius

Shaik Rasheed

Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Deepak Chahar

Punjab Kings

Openers

Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan

Prabhsimran Singh has looked rock solid at the top of the order and has been scoring at a fairly astounding strike rate of 148. He achieved his best IPL score of the season against RR scoring a match winning 60 (34) that featured 7 fours and 3 sixes. The PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan has accumulated 234 runs at a jaw dropping average of 78 this season. 

Middle Order

Jitesh Sharma, Atharva Taide, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran

Jitesh Sharma has played some blistering cameos which includes his match winning knock of 25 (7) which got them comfortably over the line against MI. Atharva Taide has made sizeable contributions with the bat this season which includes his best score of 66 (36) against LSG in their last encounter.  

Sikandar Raza provides a great deal of stability to the middle order and comes in very handy with the bat and the ball. he played a very vital innings of 57 (41) to guide his side to a two-wicket win against LSG in a last-over thriller. Shahrukh Khan has a threatening strike rate of over 158 and can use the long handle to good effect. Liam Livingstone has not got off to an electrifying start this season but with a strong reputation for playing big shots, he has the potential to come good at the latter stages of the tournament. Curran proved his worth as a true all-rounder which features his best bowling figures of 3/31 and a match winning knock of 55 (29) against MI. 

Bowlers

Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar

Arshdeep Singh received a terrible thrashing at the hands of LSG in their previous fixture going at over 13 per over. But with staggering average of around 18.43 with the ball, Arshdeep has been a go-to bowler for PBKS this season and hence it is likely that the Punjab think tank will persist with him. Nathan Ellis might be brought back on as he has been impressive with the ball this season claiming 10 wickets at an extraordinary average of 21. Harpreet Brar has been very economical with the ball going at just under 7.5 RPO with 4 wickets to his name. 

Predicted Playing XI of Punjab Kings:

Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Atharva Taide, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar

Impact Players

Rahul Chahar

Gurnoor Brar

Matthew Short

Rishi Dhawan

Mohit Rathee