PBKS faces a struggling CSK as teams aim to return to winning ways

Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings face off in IPL match, with CSK struggling and PBKS looking strong.

Tuesday’s IPL fixture at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium will be between two wounded teams: Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings.

The depth of their wounds, though, is as different as it comes.

Host PBKS’ 50-run loss to Rajasthan Royals would just feel like a small cut compared to CSK’s struggles — coming off three crippling defeats (against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RR and Delhi Capitals).

While the PBKS batters showed fight in their 206-run chase despite losing early wickets, Super Kings’ efforts with the bat have been tame.

CSK’s scores after the first 10 overs in these games were as follows: 65 for four vs RCB, 74 for three vs RR, and 69 for four vs DC.

By the time Vijay Shankar (69 n.o., 54b, 5x4, 1x6) and M.S. Dhoni (30 n.o., 26b, 1x4, 1x6) got going against DC, the match had gone out of CSK’s reach.

Changing the personnel, too, has not helped the five-time champion. A major course correction is necessary to beat Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS, which showed its might with two wins in its first two outings.