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Punjab Kings clash with CSK in a must win encounter
IPL 2022: Clash of the Kings as Punjab Kings take on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Staidum, tonight.
A must win encounter for both, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings, if they are to qualify for the playoffs. PBKS in 8th spot with 6 points, CSK with 4 in 9th.
Punjab Kings had have time to recover from an embarrassing outing against Delhi Capitals. They were outplayed in every department by the Capitals. They could manage a meagre 115 runs, which DC chased down in the 11th over, with 9 wickets in hand. Both PBKS and their run rate took a proper beating that day.
Also read: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/ipl-2022-dc-beat-pbks-by-9-wickets-with-57-balls-to-spare/
On the other hand, Chennai were rescued again by MS Dhoni, as he smashed 16 runs in the last 4 balls to help the, over the line vs MI.
Get the match highlights here: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/ipl-2022-losses-pile-on-for-mi-as-csk-beat-them-by-3-wkts/
Previous meeting between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings
These two first met at the Braboune Stadium, where Punjab Kings dominated the proceedings.
Having been asked to bat first, PBKS put up 180 on the board, thanks to an explosive innings from Liam Livnigstone. In the chase, PBKS got rid of the CSK top order inside the powerplay. As a result, CSK could only manage 126 runs, before being all out. A dominant display by PBKS as they won by 54 runs.
Pitch Report
The pitch is a paradise for batsman, as it has an even bounce, little or no seam movement off the deck. Combine this with short boundaries, a high scoring game is in the offing. The captain who wins the toss will mostly elect to field first, given dew might play a role towards the end of the match.
Average 1st Innings score at this venue = 164.
Injury Updates
Will update, when we get news regarding an injury.
Probable Playing XI
Punjab Kings face a dilemma of whether to stick with Bairstow or leave him out for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who was in great nick at the start of the season.
Punjab KIngs: Mayank Agarwal(C), Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Shahrukh Khan, Benny Howell, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Santner, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja(C), MS Dhoni(wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Dwayne Bravo, Mukesh Choudhary, Maheesh Theekshana.
Key Players
Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan – Runs have dried up for the explosive Shikhar Dhawan in the Tata IPL 2022. He has not managed to score double figures in his last 2 innings. Dhawan has scored 8 against SRH and 9 against DC respectively. If PBKS are to qualify for the playoffs, it will be crucial for them that Dhawan gets back into form. He has scored 214 runs in 7 matches, with an average of 30.57. He is on the cusp of joining Virat Kohli to an elite list.
Shikhar Dhawan is 3 runs away from becoming only the 2nd batsman to achieve this feat after Virat Kohli. Achieving this milestone will give a much needed boost to Dhawan, and help him regain his touch.
Liam Livingstone – The last time these 2 teams met, Livingstone announced his arrival in the IPL. He smashed CSK bowlers all over the park, scoring 60 off just 32 deliveries. He smashed 5 4’s and 5 6’s in that innings.
Livingstone is also the highest run scorer for Punjab Kings this IPL, scoring 226 runs in7 innings, at a strike rate of 182.26!
Picture credits – NDTV Sports/ Google.
Rahul Chahar – Chahar has been the pick of the bowlers for Punjab Kings. He has picked up 10 wickets in 7 matches, at an economy rate of 7.32(best among PBKS bowlers). Last time around, he picked up 3/25 runs against CSK in their win. A similar performance would be expected by Chahar from Punjab Kings fans.
Chennai Super Kings
Robin Uthappa – The Indian batsman has had some decent starts in the recent matches. He has scored 228 runs at an average of 32.43, having a strike rate of 147.40.
The onus will be on Uthappa to get CSK off to a flying start.
MS Dhoni – The retired former Indian Captain has a great record against Punjab Kings. Dhoni averages 52.50 vs Punjab. He has scored 630 runs in 23 innings vs PBKS, at a hefty strike rate of 148.24! Having finished off the game against MI in the previous match, Dhoni will hope to continue his rich form vs Punjab.
Picture credits – zee news/ google.
Mukesh Choudhary – Last time these 2 teams met, Mukesh Choudhary was taken to the cleaners by Liam Livingstone and co. He was smashed for 52 runs in his 4 overs, but picked up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal.
Though against MI, Choudhary bowled a dream spell, picking up 3/ 17 in his 3 overs. This included 2 wickets in the very first over. But for a dropped catch at slip by Bravo, Mukesh could’ve had 4 wickets in the powerplay itself. CSK will hope Mukesh Choudhary can restrict PBKS openers from getting off to a fast start.
Head to Head
Chennai Super Kings have the upper hand on Punjab Kings, having won 16 off the 27 times they’ve faced each other.
Expect a nail biting contest, when the two teams clash at the Wankhede Stadium, tonight.
