Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lock horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) as MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Chepauk Stadium on Sunday (April 30).
“We would have loved to bat first. It is a day game and a dry wicket. There won't be any dew. A new and a new beginning. We keep on learning from past games. Try to get better. Keep the fighting spirit on. Last match, I tried something but clearly it didn't work. The core is intact. Will go with positive mindset. Harpreet is the only change,” PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan said after the toss.
“We will bat first. Looks like a decent wicket. When you play a day game, the heat is a factor. The fast bowlers can get some rest. In the day game, few players are too early. It is important to be intelligent. Not to be exposed a lot under the sun. IPL is a longish tournament. There will be games which won't go your way. You have to accept the learnings. It is the same team,” CSK captain MS Dhoni said after winning the toss.
Head-to-Head
CSK and PBKS have played a total of 28 matches in the IPL. CSK have emerged as winners, with the majority of them having 16 wins to their name. The Punjab Kings have managed 12 victories.
Pitch report
“Sun is beaming down at us. There is a bit of a breeze that might provide some respite. 68 meters across to my right, 63 meters to the left. Straight down the ground is 78 meters. This is a very dry wicket. Very little live grass on it. Will get slower and lower. CSK spinners have taken 26 wickets this season, PBKS only 10. Top order batters need to be aware about taking the powerplay on. Have to take risks. Will get harder and harder later on. 180 will be a very good score in a day game here,” Samuel Badree and Aaron Finch analysed the pitch.
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Atharva Taide, Shikhar Dhawan(c), Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
Punjab Kings Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Rishi Dhawan, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.
Chennai Super Kings Subs: Akash Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, RS Hangargekar
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
WFI protest: 'Why did they sit at home for three months waiting to file complaint?' — Olympic medal-winning wrestler's dig at protesting grapplers
IPL 2023: Mark Boucher refutes Sunil Gavaskar's take on Rohit Sharma for WTC final — ‘If he is available for IPL, he will play’
