The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 moves to the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium this Friday as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) host the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 7 of the tournament. While early schedules occasionally varied, this fixture marks the first home game for the five-time champions, who are looking to rebound after a heavy opening-day defeat. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, arrive in Chennai with high morale following a clinical victory over Gujarat Titans.Ā You can followĀ KKR vsĀ SRH IPL 2026 live scorecard here.

Predicted Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings:Ā Ruturaj Gaikwad (c),Ā Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan, Jamie Overton, Urvil Patel, Matt Henry, Anshul Kambhoj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed

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

Fantasy Picks and Hot Selections

For fantasy managers, Ruturaj Gaikwad remains a high-value pick given his historical consistency at this venue. Jamie Overton also emerges as a vital all-round option for CSK, having provided late-innings resistance in Match 1.

From the Punjab camp, Cooper Connolly is a must-have following his recent form, while Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to be a primary wicket-taking threat on a surface that traditionally assists leg-spin. Prabhsimran Singh is another aggressive option for the wicket-keeper slot, offering potential for rapid powerplay points.

Pitch Report and Weather Forecast

The Chepauk surface is expected to be typical for early April: firm with an initial layer of moisture that may assist seamers before the spinners take command. However, recent renovations at the stadium have occasionally produced higher-scoring games than the venueā€™s historical average of 164.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2026 06:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).