CHENNAI: There was a time when leaning. Chennai Super Kings It was a tough task for the IPL teams at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Over the past year, the fort has slowly started to lose its teeth.The five-time champions, who managed just one win in six matches in Chepauk last season, will hope to get out of the blocks and exorcise the demons when they take on Punjab Kings in their first home match here on Friday. His last memory at this venue is a four-wicket loss to the same opponent. After finishing with a wooden spoon last year, CSK — with its own ranks of youngsters — will look to rekindle some of the old Chepauk magic. Earlier this week, CSK led the way Rituraj Gaikwadwere beaten by Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in their season opener in Guwahati.
Trouble for CSK’s top orderWith MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes will now be on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In the wicketkeeper-batsman, CSK have a proven performer who can steady the ship. But in the opener against RR, Samson and Rituraj, opening together, couldn’t get going – both managed just six runs.It wasn’t just the two who staggered. A batting line-up built around six hitters collapsed against Rajasthan, with Ayush Mahatre, Matthew Short, Karthik Sharma and Shivam Dubey all failing to fire. With less experience, CSK’s batting line-up looked like a fish out of water. Lower-order all-rounder Jamie Overton was the only bright spot as CSK limped to 127.However, Rituraj came out strongly in favor of the youth. “It’s a new, young group; they’ll learn slowly. The more games they get, the better they’ll be,” Rutoraj said.Iyer is likely to play.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have an air of positive energy around them after opening the campaign with a three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans. But there was some trouble around the captain. Shreyas Iyer’s fitness, following his wrist injury. However, assistant coach Brad Haden said that Iyer is fit to play. “No downtime. So that’s good. Now, it’s about getting the swelling down and getting the motion back in the hand,” Hayden said.
| 7 – Punjab Kings have won seven of their last eight fixtures against CSK. These include five in a row between October 7, 2021 and May 1, 2024. CSK’s only win during this period was on 5 May 2024 in Dharamsala by 28 runs.
– Statistics: Rajesh Kumar |
