IPL 2018: CSK vs Kings XI Preview: Playing 11s, Timings, Live Streaming & More

Mohali, April 14: A confident Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will aim to extend their winning momentum when they face Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the PCA stadium here on Sunday (April 15).

CSK roared in their previous two encounters and once again proved why they are one of the serious contenders for the title.

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In their campaign opener against three-time champion Mumbai Indians, Dwayne Bravo and Kedar Jadhav pulled off a thrilling last over win for CSK.

Chasing 166 against Mumbai, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side was once reeling at 75/5 and a victory seemed a distant dream. However, Bravo's scintillating 30-ball 68 put them on the brink of the win and later in the last over Kedar Jadhav snatched a win from the jaws of defeat.

In the second match, CSK was handed a challenging 203-run target by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first home game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Sweating hard in the gym🤟#goals #trainnigmodeon pic.twitter.com/ht2qfmEfax

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) April 14, 2018

Winning the toss, Dhoni opted to bowl first and opined his side love to chase, a statement which was hence proved right by his boys.

CSK was off to a flying start with Shane Watson (42) and Ambati Rayudu (39) adding 75 runs for the opening wicket. With just everything going CSK's way, KKR's spinners- Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine struck to bring back their side in the contest.

With Suresh Raina (14) and Dhoni (25) felling cheaply, CSK's foriegn buy- Sam Billings took command and smashed 56 off 23 to keep the hosts on hunt.

Finally, Ravindra Jadeja's six off the final delivery set up an another nail-biting win for CSK.

However, Raina will miss Sunday's clash after being ruled out of the side's next two matches because of a calf injury, which could be a thing of worry for the CSK management.

The Kings stationed at the City Beautiful! #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/38yIr4Tstm

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 14, 2018

On the other hand, coming on the back of a disappointing batting performance, hosts Punjab will be looking reverse the performance in this match.

For a win at home against the in-form Dhoni's side, Punjab's batting department needs to fire. Other than Lokesh Rahul, star batsmen Yuvraj Singh, Mayank Agarwal have struggled to get runs.

The team management will have high expectations from Aaron Finch, who missed the opening match against Delhi Daredevils and failed with the bat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Punjab's spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman has surprised the batsmen with his deliveries and will once again try to exploit the home conditions. The hosts have a bowling depth with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Mujeeb, Axar Patel and Andrew Tye.

It was not up to mark but keep supporting us v will come back strongly....#backhomemohali@akshar2026 @sranbarinder pic.twitter.com/5VPYejkniE

— Mohit Sharma (@imohitsharma18) April 14, 2018

The Ashwin-led side could bring in Manoj Tiwary to the middle order and Mohit Sharma's expensive performance could axe him from the playing eleven.

Overall, CSK will once again be the favourites over Punjab, after winning the last three encounters the two sides have met.

Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), AJ Tye, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (capt), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, Harbhajan Singh, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Kanishk Seth, Lungi Ngidi, Dhruv Shorey, Murali Vijay, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Kshitiz Sharma, Monu Kumar, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur, N Jagadeesan.

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