Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the first time in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Sunday in Chennai.
Last season, PBKS won both their games against CSK. In the most recent meeting between the two, the Kings beat the Super Kings by 11 runs, with batsman Shikhar Dhawan stealing the show with his knock of 88*(59).
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Both teams will be looking to bounce off a defeat when they face one another this season. PBKS will be looking to get closer to the qualifying spots, while CSK will be looking to win and join Gujarat Titans (GT) at the top.
Here is a comprehensive guide on the key batsmen, key bowlers, predicted lineups and key battles ahead of CSK versus PBKS.
CSK vs PBKS Predicted lineups
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Moeel Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk/c), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.
PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, Sikandar Raza, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.
Best Batsmen from CSK vs PBKS
Devon Conway (CSK): The CSK top-order batsman is currently the top run-scorer of his team with 322 runs to his name in 8 innings. CSK will be dependent on the New Zealand batter to post a formidable total on the board.
Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS): PBKS' experienced skipper was in fine form before his shoulder injury with 234 runs in five innings. Although his return did not go as planned, the Indian batsman will be crucial for his team.
Shivam Dube (CSK): Dube has been in excellent form this IPL season, having scored 236 runs in seven innings. The 29-year-old has scored three consecutive fifties in his last three outings.
Best Bowlers from CSK vs PBKS
Tushar Deshpande (CSK): The medium seam bowler will be crucial for CSK as he has been throughout the season. With 14 scalps to his name, he is CSK's leading wicket-taker this year.
Arshdeep Singh (PBKS): Like Deshpande, Arshdeep is his side's leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps so far this season, which is even more impressive since he often bowls overs which may be considered difficult for bowlers.
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK): Excellent in both batting and bowling, the latter aspect of Jadeja's has shone through more this year, with the spinner taking 8 wickets so far this season.
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Key Battles from CSK vs PBKS
Shikhar Dhawan vs Tushar Deshpande: CSK will look to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan early in the innings if they want to restrict the visitors to a decent total and they will depend on their lead wicket-taker to achieve the same.
Devon Conway vs Arshdeep Singh: The battle between CSK's star batter Devon Conway and PBKS' ace bowler Arshdeep Singh will be a treat to watch. The visitors will hope that Singh manages to get Conway's wicket as early as possible in the innings.
