IPL 2025: PBKS win toss, elects to bat first against CSK

ANI April 8, 2025 242 views

Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings clash in an intriguing IPL match at Mullanpur with both teams looking to improve their standings. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to leverage their batting strength. CSK, currently struggling at ninth position, are eager to bounce back and turn their campaign around. The match promises exciting cricket with both teams featuring strong lineups and experienced players.

"We need to back our strengths and make the best use of our batting lineup" - Shreyas Iyer, PBKS Captain
Mullanpur, April 8: Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first during his side's Indian Premier League (IPL) match against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Mullanpur on Tuesday.

Key Points

1

PBKS aims to capitalize on home advantage against struggling CSK

2

Shreyas Iyer confident in team's batting strategy

3

Both teams unchanged from previous matches

4

Mullanpur pitch expected to favor batsmen

After two thumping away wins, PBKS's home season started on a poor note with a loss to Rajasthan Royals. Their next challenge at home will be five-time champions CSK, who are currently struggling and are at ninth spot with a win and three losses. PBKS is currently at fourth spot with two wins and a loss.

Speaking during the toss, PBKS skipper Shreyas said, "We are going to have a bat first, it's simply because we had a discussion how our batting lineup is and we need to make the best use of it. In the last game, the dew was not that much but that is not in our control but we need to back out strengths. We are going in with the same team. We have got really good spin bowlers in our team but it is important how we use them on a given occasion. The last game the ball was not turning very much, got to give credit to the Rajasthan batsmen as well, they batted really well. We hope we can execute whatever we have planned today."

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad also said, "We were looking to bat first as well, pretty dry wicket, new conditions for us and we need to adapt as soon as possible. We have been bowling pretty well but we have conceded more than 15 runs an over twice in an innings, hopefully we can improve on that. We also need to improve our fielding. Same team for us. Me batting at 3 gives a bit more balance to our squad, it was decided during the auction time and hoping our openers will come good today. We have always been behind the game in the powerplay, it is just about going there and enjoying yourselves."

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Bold decision by Shreyas to bat first! PBKS batting lineup looks solid today. Hope they can put up 180+ to put pressure on CSK. #WhistlePodu ๐ŸŽ‰
P
Priya M.
CSK's bowling has been so inconsistent this season ๐Ÿ˜• Really missing Deepak Chahar's powerplay spells. Hope they can turn things around today!
A
Amit S.
Interesting to see Maxwell at 7! PBKS has so much firepower in their middle order. Stoinis and Maxwell could be game changers in the death overs.
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Sanjay R.
Respectfully disagree with PBKS's decision to bat first. The pitch looks dry and might slow down later - perfect for CSK's spinners Jadeja and Ashwin. Could backfire!
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Neha T.
So excited to see MSD back on the field! Even if CSK is struggling, watching him keep wickets is always a treat ๐Ÿงก #ThalaForever
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Vikram J.
PBKS's bowling attack looks balanced with Chahal and Ferguson. If they can get early wickets, CSK's fragile middle order will be under pressure.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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