CSK vs PBKS IPL 2026 preview: Check match time, venue, live streaming details, predicted playing XIs, pitch report, head-to-head record, and latest team news from Chepauk.
Chennai Super Kings' (Photo: IANS)
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will look to bounce back when they face last season’s finalists Punjab Kings in Match 7 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, in what promises to be a crucial early-season clash for both sides.
CSK endured a disappointing 2025 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table, and their struggles seem to have carried into the new season after a heavy defeat against Rajasthan Royals in their opener. In contrast, PBKS come into the contest with momentum, having secured a hard-fought win over Gujarat Titans.
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The fixture also carries added intrigue with CSK dealing with injury concerns, including doubts over veteran MS Dhoni, while PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit after a minor scare. With the head-to-head record perfectly balanced, both teams will be eager to gain the early upper hand.
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What time will the CSK vs PBKS IPL 2026 match start?
The match between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings will begin at 7:30 PM IST.
What time will the toss take place?
The toss is scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM IST, around 30 minutes before the start of the match.
Where is the CSK vs PBKS match being played?
The match will be held at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai.
Where can you watch the CSK vs PBKS IPL 2026 match live on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
Where can you live stream the CSK vs PBKS match?
Fans can live stream the match on the JioHotstar app and website.
Matches: 32
CSK wins: 16
PBKS wins: 16
Punjab Kings have dominated recent encounters, winning six of the last seven matches, despite the overall record being evenly poised.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short / Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj
Impact Player: Sarfaraz Khan
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Player: Vijaykumar Vyshak / Harpreet Brar
The Chepauk surface is expected to be slow and spin-friendly, traditionally assisting bowlers as the game progresses. Spinners like Noor Ahmad and Yuzvendra Chahal could play a decisive role, making the middle overs crucial.
Team News & Injuries
CSK:
MS Dhoni is unlikely to feature due to a calf injury.
Dewald Brevis remains a doubtful starter with a side strain.
PBKS:
Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit after a wrist injury scare.
Cooper Connolly is one to watch after his impressive debut knock.
CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, are desperate to register their first win after a poor start, while PBKS will aim to build on their winning momentum. With both teams evenly matched historically and contrasting starts to the season, this clash could set the tone for their campaigns going forward.
Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod (wicketkeeper), Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad
Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (w), Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Sarfaraz Khan, MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Aman Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Zakary Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer
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