Chennai Super Kings will return to Chepauk Stadium on Sunday (April 30) after playing their last two IPL 2023 matches at an away venue. The MS Dhoni-led side will face the Punjab Kings in Match No. 41 and would like to return to winning ways after suffering a 32-run defeat against the Rajasthan Royals in the last fixture.
Updated Apr 30, 2023 | 08:56 AM IST
Chennai Super Kings will face Punjab Kings in Match No. 41 of IPL 2023 on Sunday (April 30). Picture Credit: ANI and Twitter/@ChennaiIPL
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Chennai Super Kings will face Punjab Kings in IPL 2023 Match No. 41 on Sunday (April 30).
- The match will take place at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
- Chennai suffered a defeat by 32 runs in their last match against the Rajasthan Royals.
For the Super Kings, their top-order batters have been among the runs, and they would like to continue the same form on Sunday again. With 322 runs to his name from eight matches played so far, Kiwi opener Devon Conway is the leading run-getter for the side, and his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad has also provided good support to him by making 317 runs in eight matches. In the Orange Cap race, Conway is in fourth place, and Gaikwad is at No. 5.
Former Indian Test vice captain Ajinkya Rahane (224) and all-rounder Shivam Dube (236) have also impressed with their performances so far. The 29-year-old Dube has scored three back-to-back fifties in the build-up to his game. But the batting form of Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali remains a cause for concern. And there’s a possibility that Rayudu might get dropped from the side, whereas Moeen could make way for Mitchell Santner.
Dhoni and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja haven’t had many chances to play many balls, but in whatever they have had so far, they have impressed.
In the bowling department, Tushar Deshpande is leading the chart with 14 wickets to his name from eight matches, whereas Jadeja has accounted for the dismissals of 11 batters. On the Chepauk track, the role of Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana will also become crucial, along with Moeen or Santner, whoever gets the chance.
Stokes and Chahar have been out of action for six matches now due to injury-related issues, and there has been an official update from the franchise about their availability for the upcoming matches.
CSK’s likely playing XI for the IPL 2023 match against PBKS: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali/Mitchell Santner, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Singh
