Indian Premier League 2024, Match 49- Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: Preview

The Indian Premier League is in its concluding stage with each team having played at least nine matches in the tournament so far. With high-profile teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangaluru almost out of the tournament teams like Punjab Kings have still got a chance of making it to the playoffs. In this respect, Punjab’s next match against the in-form Chennai Super Kings is of utmost importance for the team’s chances.

Chennai Super Kings

The Ruturaj Gikwad-led side has had a shaky start to the tournament with the men in yellow losing four of the nine games they have played so far. Placed fourth in the points table CSK needs to win three of their next five games to entertain the team’s chances of making it to the playoffs.

Strengths

CSK’s biggest strength has been their batting. The likes of Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and MS Dhoni have been contributing consistently with the bat which has helped the team post totals of over 200 regularly.

If we talk about individual batters that have done the bulk of the scoring for CSK one name that stands out is that of Shivam Dube. The left-hander has been in magnificent form for the team since the start of the tournament and has played a major role in nullifying the threat of spinners with his big-hitting abilities in the middle overs.

Dube has been well supported by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad who after a slow start has started scoring runs at a good strike rate and is among the leading run-scorer of the tournament which includes his century in a losing cause against Lucknow Super Giants.

Also Read: Important players who can score run in SRH vs RR in IPL 2024

Concerns

One of the things that CSK would be concerned about in the match against Punjab Kings will be the effect of dew which played a major role in the team’s loss against LSG as the KL Rahul-led side chased down a target of over 200 runs in the last over. In this respect, the toss will play a major role, and if CSK manages to win the toss and decides to bowl first then their spinners and medium pacers will come into play with their cutters and slower balls.

Another major concern for the team in Yellow would be the form of Ajinkya Rahane. The right-hander has been short of runs since the beginning of the season and hasn’t been able to convert the start that he has got into a significant score.

Punjab Kings

The Shikhar Dhawan-led side is coming after registering the highest successful run chase in the history of T20 Cricket as they chased down more than 260 runs against KKR at the Eden Gardens. The chase was led by English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow who scored an unbeaten century and was well supported by Prabh Simran Singh and Shashank Singh both of whom scored an attacking half-century to help the team stay alive in the tournament.

Also Read: Bowlers to look out for in CSK vs PBKS in IPL 2024

Positives

One of the major positives for Punjab Kings before the match against CSK is the form of opener Jony Bairstow. With Shikhar Dhawa’s availability still under doubt, the onus will again be on Bairstow to give the team a good start along with Prabhsimran who will also look to continue his rich vain of form.

 Punjab would also hope that the team’s lower middle order consisting of players like Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh continue their form against a potent bowling lineup.

Concerns

The only thing that the Kings would be wary of is the team’s bowling in the middle and death overs. The likes of Rabada, Arshdeep Harshal, and Sam Curran have failed to deliver in the tournament so far and hope to get back their form against CSK. Along with that, the team management would also hope that their spinners bowl well on a helpful wicket in Chennai.