CSK vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Ponting may continue to favour Maxwell in spin-friendly Chennai, Dhoni has option for change of pacer

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) chances of making it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs are slim to none. As MS Dhoni-led side prepares for the future, they are still capable of spoiling Punjab Kings' (PBKS) chances of advancing to the next stage. In home conditions, it was Priyansh Arya who took the game away for CSK with his maiden century but the pitch in Chennai is different. 

PBKS' previous game was abandoned due to rain as rain interrupted Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) run chase. Their top-order batters were on fire in the contest contributing the most of their score. The main issue is their middle-order. Head coach Ricky Ponting may look to learn from the previous match and given chances to Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh. 

Ponting is likely to give Glenn Maxwell another chance as he can contributed with spin as well. Maxwell's highest score from six innings is 30. He has just 48 runs to his name in the ongoing season. It will be interesting to see where Maxwell bats against CSK as he has struggled against spin. In the previous match against CSK, he was dismissed for a single by Ravichandran Ashwin. 

Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to make changes to the bowling department. He will have Harpreet Brar in the side alongside their premier leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. In the pace department, Xavier Bartlett may come in place of Azmatullah Omarzai given the conditions.

PBKS Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar

ALSO READ: WATCH: Kuldeep Yadav slaps Rinku Singh twice after Delhi Capitals' 14-run defeat to KKR

CSK have admitted to chopping and changing too much this season as they have managed just two wins from nine games. They will look to continue with young guns Shaikh Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre at the top. It is yet to be seen whether Dewald Brevis gets a promotion up the order instead of Sam Curran. 

ALSO READ: 'Skin peeled off. Whenever I tried batting, it was paining': Axar Patel gives injury update after 14-run defeat to KKR

Also, in the pace-bowling department, CSK have an option to bench Matheesha Pathirana and opt for Nathan Ellis. So far, CSK have been reluctant to try uncapped Indian batters in the middle order. They may wait one more match to test the likes of Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C and Vansh Bedi. Meanwhile, they will be tempted to bring back Ashwin in place of Kamboj. 

CSK Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni(w/c), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis 

CSK vs PBKS Weather and Pitch Report

As expected, the temperatures will rise and the humidity will make it tough for the players. It is expected to be windy in the evening which may help the seamers. In the previous match, seamers had a field day but spinners will still get much purchase from the wicket.