Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings: The 2025 IPL season is well underway, and yet, two of the tournament’s most unpredictable teams—Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings—are still trying to find their rhythm. As they lock horns on Tuesday, April 8 at Mullanpur, both sides are desperate not just for points, but for momentum, balance, and a return to winning ways.
Mullanpur Maze: PBKS’ Home Woes Continue
Punjab Kings might boast one of the most balanced squads in IPL 2025, but their performances at home tell a different story. PBKS have now lost five consecutive games at their new home ground in Chandigarh—dating back to last season. In their last match at the venue, the team was tactically off-beat against Rajasthan Royals, under-utilizing their spin arsenal and conceding the first 200-plus total at Mullanpur.
Despite the loss, there were glimmers of promise. Nehal Wadhera displayed fine control and aggression against spin, while Glenn Maxwell’s strokeplay offered a glimpse of what could come if the Aussie gets going. Skipper Shreyas Iyer, calm in defeat, acknowledged the mistakes and emphasized the importance of learning early in the campaign.
CSK’s Campaign in Crisis Mode
Three losses on the trot have left the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, staring at a mini-crisis. With their bowling leaking over 180 runs in three games while fielding first, and the batting looking equally disjointed, the team is visibly struggling for cohesion. What’s more concerning is that the famed CSK adaptability, often their biggest strength, seems missing.
CSK have already fielded 17 players and all seven overseas options in just four matches—clear signs of confusion over the best playing XI. While Ruturaj Gaikwad returned from a brief injury scare, his demotion in the batting order hasn’t worked. With an opening average of 44 compared to just 23.5 in the middle, it’s likely CSK will push him back to his original slot in a bid to stabilize the innings from the top.
Key Battles and Tactical Decisions
One of the key contests could be between Shivam Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal. Dube’s left-handed muscle could target the leg-spinner, who has struggled against southpaws in recent IPL seasons, conceding at over 10.9 runs per over since 2024. For PBKS, spin coach Sunil Joshi has already indicated the need for better utilization of Harpreet Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal—especially considering CSK’s poor powerplay scoring rate (7.50) and boundary percentage (17.24%).
If the Kings choose to strengthen their spin department, Harpreet Brar might come in for Suryansh Shedge, adding balance to their attack. On the other hand, CSK could drop Mukesh Choudhary after a costly last outing and opt for Anshul Kamboj, keeping the overseas combination intact.
Head-to-Head: Recent Edge with PBKS
Historically, CSK lead the head-to-head 16-14. But recent trends favor Punjab Kings, who have won four of their last five encounters since 2022. That, combined with CSK’s lack of form, gives PBKS a slight psychological edge—if only they can overcome their home ground hoodoo.
Pitch and Conditions: Time to Bat First?
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium has seen contrasting performances, but the trend might be shifting. Rajasthan Royals’ blueprint in the previous game—build steady, preserve wickets, and explode late—worked perfectly. Dew hasn’t played a major role so far, which could influence the toss decisions in favor of batting first.
CSK VS PBKS Head-to-Head: Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings have faced each other 30 times in the IPL. CSK have won 16 matches, while PBKS have emerged victorious in 14. However, since 2022, PBKS have dominated, winning 4 out of the last 5 encounters.
CSK VS PBKS Playing XI
CSK Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj
PBKS Playing XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Stats That Matter:
- CSK have the lowest average and scoring rate in the powerplay this season.
- MS Dhoni has not hit a single boundary in a successful run chase since 2023.
- Shivam Dube has been dismissed six times by spin in just eight recent innings.
- PBKS have a win percentage of only 13.3% at home since 2023—lowest among all teams.
What to Expect:
Two struggling sides with contrasting problems—PBKS need to crack the Mullanpur code, while CSK must fix their balance and rediscover their batting mojo. With both teams hungry for a turnaround, expect a high-stakes encounter that could define their trajectory in IPL 2025.
In a league that punishes inconsistency and rewards tactical clarity, Tuesday’s clash isn’t just about points—it’s about identity, redemption, and reclaiming lost ground. And in Mullanpur, under the lights, we might just witness one of the season’s turning points.
