The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) caravan now moves to Chennai, where CSK will take on Punjab Kings in match 7 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 3.

The hosts, CSK, hold a brilliant record on their home turf, and now it’s time for them to show something similar, especially after the kind of disappointing start they have had this season.

CSK vs PBKS match preview

Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and in the absence of their master architect, MS Dhoni, the side looked completely clueless in the opening game against the Rajasthan Royals. Despite having some really good names in the squad, their batting just didn’t click. None of the batters got going, and the whole thing collapsed under pressure.

Now that Dewald Brevis is also unavailable, CSK might have to rethink things a bit. Maybe a different batting order or a fresh approach. Players like Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad need to step up now, no other way around it.

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have a completely different story. They started their campaign with a win against Gujarat Titans and looked quite confident while doing it. Cooper Connolly was the star in that game and all eyes will be on him again.

Led by Shreyas Iyer, the team has been doing well not just now but even last season. They have carried that same momentum forward, which is a big positive. Their bowling also looks sorted with names like Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen. Overall, the Punjab Kings look like a properly balanced side going into this match.

CSK vs PBKS head-to-head record in IPL

• Total Matches: 32
• CSK Wins: 16
• PBKS Wins: 16

CSK vs PBKS pitch report

The MA Chidambaram Stadium has traditionally not been a high-scoring venue. It usually helps that the spinners and batsmen need to work hard to score runs quickly here.

But things have slightly changed after the renovation before the T20 World Cup. Runs are coming a bit more freely, and the pitch didn’t behave exactly like the old Chepauk surface. It will be interesting to see how it plays in this first IPL game here this season, because it might not be as slow as people expect.

CSK vs PBKS key players

Sanju Samson (CSK) – Samson departed for just 6 runs in the opening game, and he looked clueless against the pace attack. After that kind of player of the tournament performance in the World Cup just a few weeks back, CSK will expect a lot more from him this time.

Cooper Connolly (PBKS) – Connolly played a sensational knock in the previous match. His unbeaten 72 made sure Punjab Kings got over the line comfortably. He looks confident right now, and CSK bowlers will have to be careful with him.

Shivam Dube (CSK) – Dube brings that raw power in the middle order. He has done it for CSK over the last couple of seasons, and when he gets going, things change very quickly. CSK will need him to step up again.

Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – The experienced leg spinner has always been a treat to watch. With 223 wickets in the IPL and an economy under 8, he knows how to control the game. On a surface like this, he becomes even more dangerous.

Predicted playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

CSK vs PBKS match prediction

CSK have always been a very strong side at home. They understand these conditions well and usually know exactly how to play here.

But Punjab Kings right now look like a more complete team. Their batting looks settled, bowling has variety, and they have proper all-round options as well. Everything just seems to be clicking for them now.

Prediction: Punjab Kings to win this match