The IPL 2025 season is entering its crucial phase, and the 49th match will see Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 PM IST. With both teams eyeing contrasting goals, this clash promises high stakes and intense action.
Team Overviews
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
It’s been a forgettable season for the five-time champions. The Super Kings have only managed two wins so far and are placed at the bottom of the points table. At home, they’ve lost four of their last five games—an unusual stat for a side once considered near-invincible at Chepauk. With five games remaining, CSK’s chances of making it to the top four look grim. However, MS Dhoni’s men will look to play their brand of spirited cricket to finish the season on a high.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
On the other hand, PBKS have performed decently, winning five out of their nine matches so far and sitting in fifth place with 11 points. Their previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out due to heavy rain. The Shreyas Iyer-led side needs consistency in the remaining matches to solidify their place in the playoffs. With stiff competition around the top four, every win now becomes critical.
Match Details
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Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, Match 49, IPL 2025
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Date & Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 7:30 PM (IST)
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Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
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Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website)
Pitch Report – MA Chidambaram Stadium
The Chepauk surface is known for its slow, spin-friendly nature. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to assist spinners even more. Dew in the second innings may slightly ease batting conditions, making bowling first a preferred choice. Of the five games played here this season, the chasing side has won three—indicating the advantage of bowling first.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 32
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CSK Wins: 17
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PBKS Wins: 14
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Tied: 1
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First Match: April 19, 2008
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Last Match: April 8, 2025 (PBKS won by 18 runs)
Punjab Kings hold a recent edge, having defeated CSK in their last meeting earlier this season.
Probable Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
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Shaik Rasheed
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Ayush Mhatre
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Deepak Hooda
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Sam Curran
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Dewald Brevis
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Shivam Dube
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MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
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Noor Ahmad
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Khaleel Ahmed
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Matheesha Pathirana
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Impact Player: Ravichandran Ashwin
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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Priyansh Arya
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Prabhsimran Singh
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Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
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Josh Inglis (Wicketkeeper)
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Nehal Wadhera
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Shashank Singh
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Glenn Maxwell
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Azmatullah Omarzai
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Marco Jansen
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Arshdeep Singh
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Impact Player: Harpreet Brar
Key Players to Watch
Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
With 292 runs in nine matches, the explosive opener is in red-hot form. He recently smashed 83 against KKR and is the second-highest scorer for PBKS this season. On a tricky surface like Chepauk, a good start from him could prove vital.
Noor Ahmad (CSK)
The Afghan spinner has been exceptional this season, taking 14 wickets in nine games. On a pitch that favors spin, Noor could be CSK’s trump card to dismantle PBKS’ batting lineup.
Match Prediction & Scenarios
Prediction: The team bowling first holds an advantage on this surface.
Scenario 1
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CSK wins the toss and bowls first
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PBKS Powerplay: 50-60
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PBKS Total: 160-170
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Winner: CSK
Scenario 2
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PBKS wins the toss and bowls first
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CSK Powerplay: 40-50
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CSK Total: 150-160
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Winner: PBKS
Final Verdict
Given the spin-friendly conditions and recent trends, the team bowling first has a higher chance of winning. While Punjab Kings have the momentum and better form, CSK will bank on home support and spin depth. Expect a closely fought battle, but if PBKS bowl first, they may just walk away with two crucial points.
Prediction: Punjab Kings to win if they bowl first. Otherwise, CSK might pull off a surprise.