Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Ravindra Jadeja
Matheesha Pathirana
Top 5 Must-Pick Players
Ravindra Jadeja
Matheesha Pathirana
Sam Curran
Kagiso Rabada
Arshdeep Singh
Full Player Rankings
| # | Player | Team | Role | Credits | Form | Venue | Pitch | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Ravindra Jadeja | | All-rounder | 9 | 82 | 22.5 | 21 | 102.2 |
| VC | Matheesha Pathirana | | Bowler | 9 | 85 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 93.7 |
| 3 | Sam Curran | | All-rounder | 9 | 76 | 16.5 | 18 | 90.4 |
| 4 | Kagiso Rabada | | Bowler | 9.5 | 82 | 15 | 21 | 89.5 |
| 5 | Arshdeep Singh | | Bowler | 8.5 | 78 | 15 | 19.5 | 86.1 |
| 6 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | | Batter | 9.5 | 78 | 21 | 13.5 | 85.4 |
| 7 | Liam Livingstone | | All-rounder | 9 | 70 | 15 | 13.5 | 81 |
| 8 | MS Dhoni | | WK-Batter | 8.5 | 55 | 22.5 | 15 | 80.8 |
| 9 | Devon Conway | | Batter | 9 | 72 | 18 | 13.5 | 79.8 |
| 10 | Shikhar Dhawan | | Batter | 9 | 62 | 15 | 12 | 71.1 |
Pitch Report — Chepauk
Chepauk is a spin paradise. The red soil pitch offers significant turn from the first ball, and scores above 160 are often match-winning. Pacers who can hit the right lengths also find assistance. It's a ground where 140 can feel like 180.
Batting first is preferred at Chepauk. The pitch deteriorates, making run-chasing extremely difficult in the second innings against spinners.
Head-to-Head Record
Chennai Super Kings have been dominant against Punjab Kings, winning 18 of 28 matches. CSK's tactical superiority under Dhoni has consistently outclassed PBKS, making this one of the most lopsided rivalries in IPL.
CSK vs PBKS — Match Preview
MS Dhoni walks out at Chepauk — his spiritual home — as CSK host Punjab Kings. Chepauk is CSK's fortress and the spin-heavy surface plays perfectly into their strengths with Jadeja and Moeen Ali. PBKS, who historically struggle on turning tracks, must find a way to counter CSK's spin stranglehold. When Dhoni walks to bat at Chepauk, the stadium erupts like nowhere else in cricket.
Why Watch This Match
- MS Dhoni at Chepauk — the most emotional ground in IPL cricket
- CSK's spin dominance vs PBKS's pace-heavy attack
- Chepauk's turning surface makes every ball an event
- Kagiso Rabada vs Ruturaj Gaikwad — pace vs class