IPL 2024, CSK vs PBKS: Decoding the key player battles
Chennai Super Kings will be up against Punjab Kings in Match 49 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK are currently third in the team standings with five wins in nine outings. Though PBKS have just three wins in nine outings, they have played some quality cricket. Moreover, PBKS have won their last four matches against CSK. Let's decode the key player battles.
Jonny Bairstow vs Mustafizur Rahman
Fresh from a match-winning ton from the last against KKR, Jonny Bairstow would be high on confidence. CSK would not want to see his wrath as Mustafizur Rahman would be required to strike with the new ball. As per ESPNcricinfo, Bairstow has fallen to left-arm pacers thrice across 13 T20 innings since 2022 (SR: 146.96). Meanwhile, Mustafizur has scalped four powerplay wickets this season.
Shashank Singh vs Matheesha Pathirana
Shashank Singh's late striking in end overs has made him a household name. His face-off with Matheesha Pathirana will be interesting as the latter has been lethal in death overs (17-20). The CSK pacer has scalped four wickets in this phase in IPL 2024 at an economy of 8.55. Shashank's strike rate in the last four over reads 245.65.
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Kagiso Rabada
Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kagiso Rabada open the proceedings in their respective departments. They are hence bound to tackle each other. Rabada has dismissed Gaikwad twice in just five IPL meetings though he has conceded 33 runs off 22 balls in this battle. Gaikwad's strike rate in powerplay this season reads 149.63. Rabada owns four wickets in this phase in IPL 2024 (ER: 9.12).
Shivam Dube vs Harpreet Brar
Shivam Dube has been a nightmare for bowlers this year and his numbers state the same. His ability to go big against spinners in the middle overs has given headache to many opposition captains. His battle with Harpreet Brar would be enticing as the latter boasts an economy of 7.62 in IPL 2024. Dube's strike rate against left-arm spinners in IPL 2024 reads 192.85.
Key details about the match
Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium will host this duel on May 1 (7:30pm IST). Spinners will enjoy bowling here and the pacers will look to provide variations to gain maximum impetus. Meanwhile, the average run rate of teams batting first in Chennai since IPL 2023 reads 8.81. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on JioCinema.
