IPL 2022: Match 38 – Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs Chennai Super Kings

After getting pummeled by Delhi Capitals in their previous match in IPL, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their next group stage encounter to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on April 25 (Monday).

It is to be noted that PBKS is placed in the eighth spot in the points table with three wins in seven matches. The Kings have lost their matches against Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, they have also beaten the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and CSK.

PBKS after losing their previous match against DC might want to replace English batter Jonny Bairstow with Sri Lanka hard-hitting batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Skipper Mayank Agarwal will also want to contribute with the bat as well.

Here’s a Look at the Punjab Kings Predicted XI against CSK:

Openers: Mayank Agarwal (c) and Shikhar Dhawan

The opening combination comprising of skipper Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most experienced opening duos in the IPL. However, both the Indian batters have not shown their true colors in IPL 2022 so far and they will like to change that in their upcoming fixture against CSK.

Talking about their numbers in IPL, Mayank has contributed only 118 runs in six matches. On the other hand, Dhawan has amassed 214 runs in seven innings with his highest score of 70 coming against MI. However, the left-handed batter could only manage nine runs in his previous outing.

Middle-order: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan

English batter Jonny Bairstow has failed to get going in the past few matches and the batter can make way for Sri Lankan aggressive batter Bhunuka Rajapaksa in the playing XI. Batter Shahrukh has failed to impress in this edition so far and has only 98 runs in seven innings. The 26-year-old will want to give a much better performance in the upcoming match against the defending champions.

The youngster Jitesh Sharma has impressed in his debut season so far. The right-handed batter has scored scoring 122 runs in five innings and has scored them at an impressive strike rate. Sharma also played an excellent knock of 32 against DC and will want to continue his good form.

All-rounder: Liam Livingstone

Even though he failed to contribute in the previous match, Liam Livingstone has been one of the star performers for PBKS. The England batter has scored his runs at an excellent pace and will want to replicate his performance in the upcoming match against CSK.

The right-handed batter has scored 226 runs in seven innings at a strike rate near 180 and has justified his price tag. Livingstone scored an excellent knock of 60 runs against the Orange Army recently and helped his side to post a competitive total of 151 runs in the allotted 20 overs.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh

The youngster Vaibhav Arora has bowled well but has been quite expensive in the last few fixtures. The right-arm pacer gave away 31 runs in just two overs against DC in the previous match. Similarly, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has not been at his best. He has only two wickets in seven appearances of this edition.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada and Rahul Chahar have been most impressive for the Kings so far. Talking about their wickets, Rabada has scalped seven wickets so far and Chahar has ten wickets in seven matches. Australian pacer Nathan Ellis who was quite economical in the previous match, giving away only 15 runs in his two overs, is also expected to retain his position in the playing XI.

PBKS’ Predicted Playing XI for the CSK Clash:

Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh.