The 22nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is underway between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. As the sun glared down on this midweek thriller, Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first—an aggressive move on a pitch expected to offer consistent bounce and favor stroke-making early on.
Both sides, coming off defeats in their previous outings, are desperate to regain momentum in the tournament. With no changes in either squad, the team management has shown faith in their core line-up to turn things around.
The Toss and Strategy: Iyer’s Call to Bat First
Shreyas Iyer, speaking after the toss, said, “The surface looks good for batting early on. We want to put a solid total and let the bowlers defend it. It’s important to back our strengths.”
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, expressed comfort in chasing. “We’ve done well under lights. The bowlers know what to expect here,” he stated.
Current Form: Redemption on Both Sides
Both franchises had a shaky start to IPL 2025 and suffered defeats in their last games. For Punjab, the batting order failed to fire cohesively, while CSK struggled with a lack of finishers stepping up.
This game presents a chance for PBKS to stabilize their campaign and for CSK to prove they still possess that trademark resilience.
PBKS Playing XI: Youth and Experience Blend
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Openers: Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
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Middle Order: Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera
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All-Round Options: Glenn Maxwell
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Bowlers: Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal
This line-up offers explosive batting depth with the flair of Maxwell and the power of Stoinis, while the bowling department has a lethal mix of pace and spin.
CSK Playing XI: Legendary Core with Fresh Energy
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Top Order: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
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Middle Order: Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk)
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Spin & All-Round Firepower: Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad
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Pace Attack: Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
CSK continues to bank on its seasoned campaigners like Dhoni and Jadeja, with the flair of newcomers like Rachin and Noor offering variety. The Pathirana-Dhoni death-over combo remains a key asset.
Venue Watch: Mullanpur’s New Crown Jewel
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium has quickly developed a reputation for sporting pitches and electric crowds. Tonight’s conditions suggest a good batting surface with dew likely to play a role later on.
Fantasy League Insight: Whom to Watch
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Top Batting Picks: Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Glenn Maxwell
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Key Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Matheesha Pathirana, Arshdeep Singh
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Differential Picks: Noor Ahmad for spin on a flat surface, Marcus Stoinis as a multi-role impact player
What’s at Stake
Both teams sit mid-table with just one win apiece, and a loss here could further derail their playoff ambitions. CSK would want their leadership trio of Dhoni-Jadeja-Gaikwad to step up, while PBKS needs their overseas firepower to click.
