It’s a doubleheader on Thursday, and first we have match no. 53 between the Chennai Super Kings against the Punjab Kings.
Both these teams are on the opposite ends of the points table. After RCB’s loss against SRH yesterday, it certainly means a top-two position for CSK in the points table. On the other hand, PBKS has almost gone out of the race for the top four. But CSK has been finding it difficult to win a match in their last two games and is going through a short rough patch. They will want to win their final league match to find their lost winning momentum as they step into the playoffs. Whereas KL Rahul and his team would like to give a tough fight and win their last league match to end the tournament on a positive note. Let’s look at what is on our hands as it’s a thrilling contest between these two heavyweight sides at the Dubai International Stadium.
Head-to-head
These two sides are dependent on their batting more than their bowling units. It is well known that whenever these two teams have faced off, the score has usually been on the higher side since they have always had an elite batting unit. PBKS and CSK have met 24 times in IPL. CSK has had the upper hand with 15 wins to that of 9 wins for PBKS. They both have a high score of above 230 against each other and have displayed a brilliant batting effort almost every time. But the story was way different when these two sides met the last time at Wankhede Stadium on the 16th of April. CSK bowled first and restricted PBKS for just 106 runs because of a tremendous bowling display by Deepak Chahar, who knocked off four wickets. CSK successfully chased down the target in 15.4 overs. In the last five encounters, CSK has won four out of five. PBKS would want to end this dominance of CSK over them and would like to grab a consolation win in their last league game.
Probable Match Winners
Opening pair of KL and Mayank
It has been another disappointing campaign for the Punjab Kings as they are out of contention for the top four spots in the league. Overall, both their batting and bowling units failed to impress at different stages of the tournament. Even though their middle order has been in poor form, as usual, their only positives were their opening pair. The boys from Karnataka, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal have proved their potential on numerous occasions. They both have taken the burden of their whole team, and they still have been able to perform incredibly well. They have scored 556 runs together at the run rate of 7.38, that too at an impressive average of 55.60. They have always provided a quick and steady start which, unfortunately, the middle order batters have not been able to capitalize on. It has been a tough race for PBKS, and they would want to win this match to bring some positivity to this franchise for the coming year.
Fierce pace bowling duo of Bravo and Thakur
CSK has been known for its opening pair of Gaikwad and Faf in this year’s IPL. To add to that, their bowlers have bowled brilliantly, which has helped them move up into the second position of the points table. Their bowling unit, which includes Hazlewood, Jadeja, Chahar has bowled as a team and has bowled their oppositions out. Shardul and Bravo have been CSK’s prime bowlers as they both bowled at the difficult stages of the match and have always provided crucial breakthroughs for the team. Dhoni has been highly reliable on Bravo this year, and the veteran has proved his skills and has looked like his vintage self. Thakur has improved on the next level and has been consistent throughout the tournament. He is the highest wicket-taker for CSK with 15 wickets and has been their best bowler in the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE. The CSK pacers need to continue their form to help their team win their fourth IPL title.
What to expect – Probable XI
PBKS: The Punjab Kings have had a disheartening season as their players haven’t fired to their potential. Pooran has had plenty of opportunities to prove his ability, but the hard-hitting West-Indian batsman has failed miserably. Chris Jordan should probably get a chance and should replace him. KL Rahul and his team will be eager to end the tournament on a high note.
CSK: MSD doesn’t believe in changing the playing XI too often, and we expect the same in this match against PBKS. Uthappa played a little cameo in the last match and should retain his place in the playing XI. We hope CSK will win the match with the same playing XI and find winning momentum before the playoffs.