IPL 2024, Match 49: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Match Preview

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to lock horns in match 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Men in Yellow returned to winning ways after suffering back-to-back losses as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by a convincing 78 runs at their fortress. Chennai have won five games and lost four so far in their IPL 2024 campaign and find themselves placed at No. 3 on the points table.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was handed captaincy ahead of the season by the iconic MS Dhoni, has led the side from the front. He is second on the list of highest run-getters, having scored 447 runs from nine innings at an average of 63.86 and a strike rate of 149.50. The right-handed batter has slammed three fifties and a solitary century thus far. In the last game, he smashed a 54-ball 98 and orchestrated the resounding victory. Another player who has been the epitome of consistency for the defending champions is Shivam Dube. The 30-year-old has aggregated 350 runs from nine innings at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 172.41.

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The bowling department has been headlined by Mustafizur Rahman, who has bagged 14 wickets from eight matches at 21.14. He is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. However, the Bangladesh pacer has played eight games compared to Bumrah and Harshal's nine. Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan prodigy, has also been in scintillating form. In six matches, he has bagged 13 wickets at an average of 13.

Daryl Mitchell scored a half-century in the last game and that would give the Kiwi batter a lot of confidence after getting off to a slow start in the league. Meanwhile, Dhoni has played some brilliant cameos down the order for the five-time champions.

Punjab, meanwhile, are coming off a record-shattering win against Kolkata Knight Riders in their last game at Eden Gardens. They registered the highest successful run-chase in men's T20 cricket, as they tracked down a target of 262, with eight wickets and as many balls to spare. This win was all the more special as it helped them snap a four-match losing streak. The Punjab-based franchise is positioned at no. 8 on the points table, with three wins and six losses from nine games.

Jonny Bairstow had a disappointing start to the season and also lost his spot. However, he returned in the last game and played a stunning knock of 108 not out off 48 balls, belting eight fours and nine sixes. Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have played some incredible knocks and a lot of hopes will rest on their performances. Stand-in captain Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma have not done justice to their potential as yet. If they start firing, Punjab could have a great run in the business end of the tournament.

Harshal has bagged 14 wickets at an average of 23.29. However, he has conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.19 and that is an area of concern. Arshdeep Singh and Curran have bagged 12 wickets apiece from nine games at averages of 25.17 and 22.58 respectively.

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MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report

MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has hosted five matches so far in IPL 2024. Unlike previous editions, the iconic venue has provided some phenomenal batting tracks, with the average first innings score being 188. Three games have been won by chasing teams, while two have been won by teams batting first. Another high-scoring encounter is expected to be on the cards on Wednesday. The captain who wins the toss would want to bowl first.

Also Check: CSK vs PBKS Live Score, Match 49

Probable Playing XI

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

Chennai are likely to retain their playing XI from the last game, barring any last-minute injury concerns. Mustafizur will be playing his last game of the season before leaving for Bangladesh to take some rest ahead of the T20I series against Zimbabwe and the T20 World Cup 2024. The Bangladesh pacer will look to finish his campaign on a high with a solid performance against the Kings.

Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana

Impact Player: Shardul Thakur

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Punjab would not want to tinker with the playing XI that helped them return to winning ways at the Eden Gardens. Shikhar Dhawan is still recovering from his injury and there is very little chance of him featuring in this high-octane clash.

Predicted XI: Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada

Impact Player: Arshdeep Singh

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CSK vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record