CSK vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Punjab Kings Choose to Bowl First Against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk
IPL 2026 Live Update: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
🏏 Match Overview: CSK Look for First Win
Chennai Super Kings entered the contest under pressure after a disappointing start to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK are aiming to register their first points of the season after suffering a heavy defeat in their opener.
The team is also dealing with key absences, as MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis are unavailable due to injuries. This has put additional responsibility on the younger players in the squad.
🔥 Punjab Kings Enter With Momentum
In contrast, Punjab Kings come into this match high on confidence after securing a narrow win over Gujarat Titans in their opening game.
Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS successfully defended a competitive total and chased down the target with composure despite a few middle-order hiccups. Players like Cooper Connolly have been in good form, boosting the team’s confidence ahead of this clash.
📊 Recent Form & Head-to-Head Record
- Punjab Kings have dominated recent encounters, winning 6 of the last 7 matches against CSK.
- Overall head-to-head remains balanced: 16 wins each in 32 matches.
- CSK last won the fixture early in IPL history, while PBKS took the latest win in 2025.
⚡ Pitch & Conditions at Chepauk
Returning to Chennai could benefit CSK’s batting lineup, which struggled on a lively pitch in Guwahati. The Chepauk surface is traditionally known to assist spinners, making bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal crucial for PBKS.
Chahal played a key role in the previous match with his variations and control during the middle overs. PBKS may also consider adding another spin option to strengthen their attack.
🧾 Playing XI
Punjab Kings:
Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chennai Super Kings:
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed
