Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Prediction & Match Preview – IPL 2026, 7th Match

Chennai Super Kings host Punjab Kings in the seventh match of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, known as Chepauk, on Friday, 3 April. The game begins at 7:30 pm local time.

Chennai, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, have MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre in their squad, with Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry and Nathan Ellis among the bowlers. Punjab, captained by Shreyas Iyer, include Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.

The slow pitch means set batters will be valuable, and spinners should have plenty to do in the middle and late overs. Pacers are likely to do best by using cutters and slower balls. A total above 165 is regarded as competitive. Our preview picks Chennai Super Kings to win.

Pitch report

Chepauk is traditionally slow, dry and spin-friendly, one of the hardest venues for batters in India. Batting is easier early on, but stroke play gets harder as the surface grips and turns. New-ball bowlers get some help, though cutters and variations work better than pace. Scores of 150–170 are competitive, and teams tend to bat first.

Weather

Chennai should be hot and humid at 7:30 pm, with temperatures of 29–32 °C and partly cloudy skies. Rain is very unlikely, a light sea breeze will have little effect, and dew is likely to form later, which could help the team batting second.

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