IPL 2022: Beleaguered CSK seek redemption against Punjab Kings

Chennai Super Kings will take on Punjab Kings in the 11th match of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. This is the clash between two sides which are ranked in the bottom half of the IPL points table. PBKS are ranked 7th with a win and a loss, CSK are 8th with two losses in as many matches.

In their last outing, CSK suffered a six-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants. The defending champions’ main concern is their out of form top order which is yet to perform. Apart from MS Dhoni nobody has not yet fired the willow. The bowling attack has also been struggling to find the rhythm.

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Playing under newly appointed captain Ravindra Jadeja, CSK need to make an immediate turnaround to climb up on the points ladder. In their last outings, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube MS Dhoni have done well, but it was their bowlers who could not make an impact. Apart from veteran paceman Dwayne Bravo, no other CSK bowler could make an impact.

Bravo went past Lasith Malinga as the IPL’s highest wicket-taker. Bravo now has 171 wickets in 153 matches, while Malinga had taken 170 wickets in 122 matches.

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Punjab Kings started their IPL 2022 campaign with a comprehensive five-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore, but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in their next match. Their batters let them down and although the bowlers at one stage put them on top soon they were victims of Russell’s blitzkrieg. Captain Mayank Agarwal, opener Shikhar Dhawan and Liam Livingston are yet to fire with the bat. PBKS will also hope for a better show from their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.

As the Sunday’s match is going to be played between two struggling sides, we can expect a thrilling contest.

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Pitch report: The last match saw Lucknow Super Giants chasing down CSK’s 211-run target with six wickets and three balls to spare at this very ground. Dew is going to play a crucial factor, so chasing side, as is the trend in this season, will have the upper hand over the side that bat first.

Head-to-head record: CSK and PBKS (earlier Kings XI Punjab) met each other 26 times. CSK won 16 times, while PBKS emerged victorious in 10 games. In IPL 2021, both sides won a match each in home and away format.

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Probable XI

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja(c), MS Dhoni(w), Shivam Dube, Dwayne Bravo, Dwaine Pretorius, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande

Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(w), Shahrukh Khan, Johnny Bairstow/Odean Smith, Rishi Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar