CSK vs PBKS IPL 2024: Punjab Kings head into this game against Chennai Super Kings under immense pressure. They know they have to win this match to keep their top-four hopes alive, or otherwise, they are better off planning for the next season if the result go South.
After CSK announced their playing 11, with some key players missing, Punjab Kings have a golden opportunity to beat the reigning champions in their own backyard.
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Why Matheesha Pathirana Is Not Playing Today’s IPL Match?
PBKS captain Sam Curran won the toss and elected to bat first in this crucial match. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad announced at the toss that star bowler Matheesha Pathirana was omitted from Chennai’s Playing XI due to a niggle. This comes as a significant setback for the reigning champions, given that Pathirana is the second-highest wicket-taker for CSK in IPL 2024.
Adding to CSK’s woes, key bowler Tushar Deshpande is also absent from the game against PBKS due to a health-related issue. The 28-year-old was unable to participate in the match.
These changes forced CSK to alter their winning combination, with Richard Gleeson being included in the playing 11 as a replacement. But who exactly is Gleeson, and what is his T20 record like? Read here and check out all the info about Richard Gleeson.
CSK vs PBKS IPL 2024 Updated playing XI
CSK Updated Playing 11:
Ajinkya Rahane
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
Daryl Mitchell
Moeen Ali
Shivam Dube
Ravindra Jadeja
MS Dhoni (WK)
Deepak Chahar
Shardul Thakur
Richard Gleeson
Mustafizur Rahman
PBKS Updated Playing 11:
Sam Curran (C)
Jonny Bairstow
Rilee Rossouw
Shashank Singh
Jitesh Sharma (WK)
Ashutosh Sharma
Harpreet Brar
Rahul Chahar
Harshal Patel
Kagiso Rabada
Arshdeep Singh
CSK IPL 2024 Top-Four Scenario
With 5 wins and four defeats, CSK are on 10 points and sit 4th on the points table. But they are not immune to danger. Gujarat Titans are 7th, and are only two points behind them, while 5th placed Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals at 6th are level on points with the reigning champions. With so much little between these teams, a lot can happen still, and the teams currently sitting inside the top-four can drop out from the playoff positions.
But CSK have their destiny in their own hands. Three wins in the remaining five games should be enough for them to seal a top-four spot.
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PBKS IPL 2024 Top-Four Scenario
There’s only one scenario for Punjab Kings and that is to win all their remaining games. One more defeat and they are out of the playoff contention, such is the little margin for error for Shikhar Dhawan and co. At the moment, Punjab Kings are third from bottom after winning just three times in nine league matches.
