Jonny Bairstow returns to Punjab Kings’ XI after completing his quarantine on arrival from the Caribbean
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For the first time in their history, Chennai Super Kings have lost their first two matches of an IPL campaign, and Ravindra Jadeja’s team will be eager to reach the goal against Punjab Kings on Sunday.
While the presence of Kagiso Rabada will be a boost and Rahul Chahar has kept his batters quiet, the Kings expect more from players like Arshdeep Singh and Harpreet Brar.
On paper, both teams have a solid batting lineup, each with over 200 scores this season. Expect another run-fest on Sunday.
In the news
Jonny Bairstow is set to return to the Kings’ XI after completing his quarantine upon arrival from the Caribbean. The aggressive English batter will largely replace West Indian all-rounder Odean Smith. Raj Bawa could make way for pacesetter Sandeep Sharma.
Adam Milne missed the Super Kings’ second game due to injury, but head coach Stephen Fleming says he’s “not too far off” from returning. If fit, the New Zealander will soon replace one of Choudhary or Deshpande.
probable XIs
Chennai Super Kings : 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2 Robin Uthappa, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Shivam Dube, 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 Ravindra Jadeja (capt), 7 MS Dhoni (wk), 8 Dwayne Bravo, 9 Dwaine Pretorious, 10 Adam Milne, 11 Tushar Deshpande /Mukesh Choudhary
Punjab Kings: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Mayank Agarwal (capt), 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 M Shahrukh Khan, 7 Harpreet Brar, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Sandeep Sharma, 11 Arshdeep Singh
Strategy point
Rahul Chahar has been exceptional against left-handers so he will be trusted against Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube and Jadeja. Among the spinners bowling left-handers in India since 2019, he has taken 11 wickets, the second most after Rashid Khan and has the best strike rate.
Statistics that matter
Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub editor with ESPNcricinfo