Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be facing each other in the 41st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams have played 8 games so far this season. CSK have won 5 of their 8 games so far, and are placed at third place on the points table with 10 points to their tally and a net run rate of +0.376.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings have won 4 of their 8 matches in IPL 2023, and are placed sixth on the points table with 8 points to their tally and a net run rate of -0.51. Chennai Super Kings is coming on the back of a loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their last game by a big margin of 32 runs.
ALSO READ: Match 41 (CSK vs PBKS) – Playing XI And Fantasy XI Predictions
While the Punjabi Kings are also coming on the back of a loss against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). These two teams have played a total of 28 matches against each other in IPL so far, where Chennai Super Kings won 16 matches while Punjab Kings won 12 matches. Another exciting game is anticipated here between these two teams on Sunday.
Here we look at the anticipated player battles.
#1 Shikhar Dhawan vs Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana is among the rare breed of spinners who loves troubling the batters in powerplay overs. He would be up against Shikhar Dhawan in the upcoming clash. Dhawan has not really been troubled by spin in the powerplay, as he was dismissed just 18 times in 116 IPL innings. In IPL, the southpaw has managed 15 runs off 11 balls versus Theekshana without being dismissed.
#2 Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Kagiso Rabada
Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kagiso Rabada open the proceedings in their respective teams. They are hence bound to face each other in the powerplay overs. Rabada has dismissed Gaikwad twice in just four IPL meetings though he has conceded 33 runs off 21 balls in this battle. Gaikwad is striking the ball at a brisk rate of 153.28 in the powerplay. Rabada owns three wickets in this phase in IPL 2023 (ER: 9.83).
#3 Ajinkya Rahane vs Rahul Chahar
Ajinkya Rahane’s resurgence as a T20 dasher has troubled many bowlers. He is maintaining a strike rate of 189.83 is the highest for any batter with at least 220 runs this season. He would tackle the leg spin of Rahul Chahar in the middle overs. The leggie has dismissed Rahane once in two IPL meetings. Overall, Rahane has been dismissed by leg-spinners 22 times in 61 IPL innings.
