PBKS vs CSK is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown as two struggling giants lock horns in IPL 2025. Both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in desperate need of a win to revive their campaigns. The match will be played on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 PM IST at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
PBKS vs CSK: Tale of Two Tense Teams
So far, the IPL 2025 season has seen its fair share of surprises. Delhi Capitals remain unbeaten both home and away, while big names like CSK and PBKS are yet to find consistency. PBKS are coming off a tough loss at home, their fifth successive defeat at the new Chandigarh venue, while CSK are reeling from three back-to-back losses.
Both teams know the importance of this clash. It’s not just another game—it could be the turning point of their season.
Punjab Kings: Time to Fix the Home Woes
PBKS might look like one of the more balanced teams on paper, but their performance at home tells a different story. With just one win in their last eight home games, something clearly isn’t clicking.
In their last match against Rajasthan Royals, PBKS misjudged pitch conditions and didn’t use their spinners enough. Their coach, Sunil Joshi, admitted this was a tactical error. But there were bright spots: Nehal Wadhera’s solid spin-hitting and a promising knock from Glenn Maxwell.
PBKS Probable XII:
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Marcus Stoinis
- Nehal Wadhera
- Glenn Maxwell
- Shashank Singh
- Harpreet Brar
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yuzvendra Chahal
With Harpreet Brar likely coming into the XI, expect PBKS to go spin-heavy this time.
Chennai Super Kings: Searching for the Right Combination
CSK are usually known for their stability and calmness under pressure. But this season, they seem to be all over the place. They’ve used 17 players in just four matches and are still looking for the right mix. Their bowling has leaked runs, and their batting has been underwhelming, especially in run chases.
Their powerplay performance is the worst in the league, with the lowest run rate, average, and boundary percentage.
One change that could help? Ruturaj Gaikwad going back to open the innings. He averages 44 as an opener compared to just 23.55 in the middle order.
CSK Probable XII:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Devon Conway
- Rachin Ravindra
- Vijay Shankar
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Mukesh Choudhary / Anshul Kamboj
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Matheesha Pathirana
With MS Dhoni still playing the finisher’s role and their spin trio in action, CSK will look to turn things around fast.
What to Expect in PBKS vs CSK?
The pitch at Mullanpur has proven to be batting-friendly, with the first 200+ score of the season already recorded here. But dew hasn’t had much of an effect, so the team winning the toss might prefer to bat first.
RR’s approach in the last match could be a blueprint: build steadily, preserve wickets, and accelerate at the back end.
PBKS vs CSK Head-to-Head: The Stats Game
- Overall: CSK lead with 16 wins to PBKS’ 14
- Recent Form: PBKS have won 4 out of the last 5 against CSK since 2022
- At Mullanpur: PBKS have a win rate of just 13.3%—lowest among all teams since 2023
- Spin Watch: Chahal has struggled against left-handers, which could help Dube
Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?
It’s a battle of desperation and determination. PBKS have home advantage but need to crack the Mullanpur code. CSK, on the other hand, must solve their team combination puzzle quickly. This PBKS vs CSK battle is more than just two points—it’s about momentum, belief, and pride.
With both teams needing a win badly, expect fireworks on Tuesday night.
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