The 49th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 features a high-stakes encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 30. CSK, with a strong home record, will look to consolidate their position in the playoffs, while PBKS aims to keep their playoff hopes alive with a crucial win.

Pitch and Weather Report

  • Pitch: The Chepauk pitch has traditionally favored spinners, but recent matches have seen high scores, indicating a balanced surface. Batsmen can expect value for their shots, while spinners will come into play as the match progresses.?

  • Weather: The weather in Chennai is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures around 33°C. No rain is forecasted, ensuring a full match.

Head-to-Head

  • Total Matches: 28

  • CSK Wins: 15

  • PBKS Wins: 13?

In their last five encounters, PBKS has dominated with four wins, including a memorable chase of 262 runs earlier this season.

Team News and Probable Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)

  • Ajinkya Rahane

  • Shivam Dube

  • Daryl Mitchell

  • Moeen Ali

  • Ravindra Jadeja

  • MS Dhoni (wk)

  • Deepak Chahar

  • Tushar Deshpande

  • Mustafizur Rahman

  • Matheesha Pathirana

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

  • Jonny Bairstow

  • Shikhar Dhawan

  • Sam Curran (c)

  • Sikandar Raza

  • Jitesh Sharma (wk)

  • Shashank Singh

  • Harpreet Brar

  • Harshal Patel

  • Kagiso Rabada

  • Rahul Chahar

  • Arshdeep Singh

Key Players to Watch

Chennai Super Kings:

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad: The CSK captain has been in sublime form, scoring consistently at the top.

  • Matheesha Pathirana: The Sri Lankan pacer has been a revelation, picking up crucial wickets in the death overs.

  • Ravindra Jadeja: A reliable all-rounder, Jadeja's contributions with both bat and ball are invaluable.?

Punjab Kings:

  • Jonny Bairstow: After a brief slump, Bairstow returned to form with a scintillating century against KKR.

  • Sam Curran: Leading from the front, Curran's all-round abilities make him a key asset.

  • Shashank Singh: A consistent performer in the middle order, providing stability to the PBKS lineup.?

Dream11 Fantasy Tips

Top Picks:

  • Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad

  • Vice-Captain: Sam Curran

  • Wicketkeeper: Jonny Bairstow

  • All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali

  • Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Harshal Patel, Mustafizur Rahman

Suggested Dream11 Team:

  1. Jonny Bairstow (WK)

  2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)

  3. Shivam Dube

  4. Daryl Mitchell

  5. Shashank Singh

  6. Sam Curran (VC)

  7. Ravindra Jadeja

  8. Moeen Ali

  9. Matheesha Pathirana

  10. Harshal Patel

  11. Mustafizur Rahman

Final Thoughts

With both teams eyeing a crucial win, expect a thrilling contest at Chepauk. CSK's strong home record gives them a slight edge, but PBKS's explosive batting lineup can turn the tables. Fantasy players should focus on in-form players and consider the pitch conditions while selecting their teams.