After smashing a record 39-ball century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their previous encounter, Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) rising star Priyansh Arya still felt something missing. The 24-year-old had hoped to speak to his cricketing idol MS Dhoni after the match, but the legendary wicketkeeper had already left the stadium.
As fate would have it, Arya now has a second chance. PBKS are set to face CSK once again — this time at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — on Wednesday, April 30, in Match 49 of IPL 2025. While the fixture carries heavy playoff implications for both sides, for Arya, it may also offer the emotional closure of finally meeting Dhoni — if the timing is right.
A Season-Defining Game for CSK
For Chennai Super Kings, this match could make or break their playoff hopes. A defeat here would eliminate them from contention and mark the first time in their illustrious IPL history that they’d miss the knockouts in back-to-back seasons.
To address their slump, CSK have taken bold steps this season, moving away from their traditionally conservative approach. They’ve already used 21 players in 9 matches — the highest rotation since their inception — and recently fielded their youngest XI since 2009. This included the second-youngest opening pair in IPL history and the youngest ever for CSK.
Yet, results have been hard to come by, especially at home. The team has lost four straight matches at Chepauk — only the second time such a streak has occurred since their 2008-10 run.
Punjab Kings: Searching for Momentum
PBKS, meanwhile, are in mid-table limbo. With just one point from their last two games, they are desperate to claw their way into the top four. While their openers and top order have performed consistently, the middle order remains largely untested — a factor that could prove risky under pressure.
Still, PBKS hold a psychological edge over CSK, having won six of their last seven meetings, including the last two at Chepauk in 2023 and 2024.
Key Battles to Watch
- Dewald Brevis vs Yuzvendra Chahal: The South African youngster has been in blazing form, averaging close to 48 and striking at 181+ in T20s this year. His duel with Chahal, India’s premier leg-spinner, could be a game-changer.
- Glenn Maxwell’s Spin Struggles: Since 2024, Maxwell has faced spin in ten IPL innings and has been dismissed by it in nine. While his offspin might help on Chepauk’s slow surface, PBKS need far more from his bat.
Team News & Probable XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
No injury concerns reported.
Probable XII: Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c/w), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Anshul Kamboj/R Ashwin
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
No injury concerns reported.
Probable XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Azmatullah Omarzai/Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar
Pitch & Conditions
The match will be played on a central black soil pitch at Chepauk with boundary lengths of approximately 75 and 72 meters. A slightly overcast forecast reduces the chances of dew, which might bring spin into play throughout the innings.
Did You Know?
- PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has scored 50+ in four of his five away games this season.
- CSK have lost four straight games at home — a rare occurrence last seen between 2008 and 2010.
- Head-to-head, CSK narrowly lead 16-15, but PBKS have dominated recent clashes.
CKS vs KKR Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
DC vs KKR Live Telecast: Star Sports Network (Select channels with Hindi, English, regional language options)
DC vs KKR Live Streaming: JioCinema (free in India across all languages and devices)
Beyond the playoff stakes and tactical battles, this match carries emotional weight — especially for Priyansh Arya. A century in the last match made headlines, but a moment with Dhoni could make memories. For both CSK and PBKS, however, there’s no room for sentiment — only the ruthless urgency of securing two critical points on the road to the IPL 2025 playoffs.
