CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2026: Probable XI for Match 7, MA Chidambaram Stadium T20 Stats and Records

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The stage is set for a high-octane Friday night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium as the Chennai Super Kings host the Punjab Kings in Match 7 of IPL 2026. While the history books show a dead-even rivalry, the present finds these two teams in very different gears. CSK look to solidify their fortress, while PBKS aims to prove their 2025 table-topping run was no fluke.

Ruturaj Gaikwad leads a side forced into an early-season tactical pivot. With MS Dhoni sidelined, the legendary finisher and tactical sounding board is missing from the field. This places immense pressure on Sanju Samson, who not only takes the gloves but must now anchor the middle order and provide that aggressive edge against spin. The game plan remains spin-centric; expect Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar to be the primary aggressors on this gripping Chepauk surface. Without Dhoni’s death-overs cushion, the onus shifts heavily to Shivam Dube to provide the late-innings acceleration.

Under Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have shed its reputation for inconsistency and looks like a composed, clinical unit. Their bowling attack is perfectly tailored to exploit any uncertainty in a Dhoni-less CSK lineup. Yuzvendra Chahal returning to Chepauk is a nightmare prospect for batters, while Arshdeep Singh’s world-class ability to nail yorkers will test CSK’s revised finishing order. If Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh can successfully counter the CSK spin twins in the middle overs, Punjab has the firepower and the depth to finally breach the yellow fortress.

Matches played: 32 | CSK won: 16 | PBKS won: 16 | No result/Tied: 0

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry.

Impact Player options: Rahul Chahar / Mukesh Choudhary

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett.

Impact Player options: Mitchell Owen / Vishwa Nishad

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