CSK are ready to take the big jump battling against Punjab. A win over Punjab will ascertain them of a spot in the top 2. Punjab have been lying low after a heartbreaking defeat against Bangalore. They will want to end their campaign on a bang with a win over CSK, lets analyse more about CSK vs PK match.
CSK vs PK: Form preview
Will CSK finish in the top-2?
The Chennai Super Kings have rolled back the years this season with a spectacular campaign. They were runaway table toppers for the major part of IPL 2021. But CSK have been halted with 2 back to back defeats in their last couple of games. A spirited Rajasthan team smashed CSK while a determined Delhi outfit scraped past CSK. The men in yellow have everything to play for when they meet Punjab in Dubai.
Can Punjab hit hard one final time?
Punjab have no one else but themselves to blame for what has been a shoddy campaign. They look imperious one game and paltry the next. Punjab have lost 2 games from a position of great strength in the UAE leg itself. They have to play out of their skins to not just win the game but win it with a handsome margin. Even a win might not guarantee them a spot as they need other results to go their way. But how dearly Punjab will like to have a win under their belt.
CSK vs PK: Favourites?
CSK will be eyeing a top-2 finish with a win in their last game. But they run into Punjab, a side whose second name is unpredictability. They will want to make a contest out of this.
Which players will be match-winners in this game?
Ruturaj Gaikwad missed out in the last game. He will be keen to get back to scoring runs.
KL Rahul is Punjab’s biggest match-winner.
X-factor player:
Devdutt Padikkal has had a quiet couple of games in the UAE. He will be keen to get back amongst the runs.
Mayank Agarwal’s opening blitz is crucial for PK. His partnership with Rahul may well define the outcome of the match.
Probable Playing XI:
Chennai Super Kings predicted XI:
Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina/Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Dwayne Bravo/Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazelwood
Punjab Kings predicted XI:
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran/Mandeep Singh, Aiden Markram, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Chris Jordan, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
What do stats say about CSK vs PK?
CSK and PK have played 24 IPL games against each other.
CSK has won 15 games. PK has won 9 matches.
CSK’s highest score against PK is 240. PK’s highest score against CSK is 231.
CSK’s lowest score against PK is 120. PK’s lowest score against CSK is 92.
Pitch:
The Dubai pitch does offer a bit for everyone. The batsmen can trust the true bounce. There will be swing early on. But if the openers are able to ride the early challenge then they might be in for a big knock.
Weather Report:
A high of 37 degrees and a low of 28 degrees is expected. There are no chances of rain. Dew might not play a big factor in Dubai.
Ground stats:
A total of 67 matches has been played at this venue. Teams batting first have won 35 games while chasing teams have won 31. The average scoring batting first at this venue is 144. On the other hand, the average 2nd innings score is a paltry 122. Anything above 160 will be a par score batting first.
StumpsandBails verdict:
PK walk into this game the more hungrier side out of the two.
