IPL 2026 Match 7: CSK vs PBKS Prediction – Chepauk Winner Forecast

The “Yellow Army” returns to the Chepauk fortress! Match 7 of IPL 2026 sees Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS). This is a high-stakes battle as CSK looks to bounce back from their opening loss, while PBKS aims to continue their historical dominance over the five-time champions

Match 7 CSK vs PBKS Quick Summary

• Match: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS)
• Date & Time: Friday, April 3, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
• Win Probability: CSK (52%) | PBKS (48%)
• The Big Story: Sanju Samson’s first home game in yellow; Shreyas Iyer leading a red-hot PBKS squad.
• Jersey Watch: CSK’s new “Bold Yellow” with vertical army stripes vs PBKS’s “Lion to Diamond” gradient red.

Match Details: CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2026

Pitch Report: The Chepauk Red Soil

The surface at Chepauk for Match 7 is expected to be a red soil pitch, which typically offers more bounce but turns into a spinner’s playground as the game progresses.

• Batting: Powerplay is the best time to score. Once the ball gets soft, stroke-making becomes difficult.
• Bowling: Finger spinners will find immense grip. The “stop-and-turn” nature of the pitch favors bowlers who can bowl into the surface.
• Dew Factor: Moderate dew is expected. While it helps the chasing team, the pitch often slows down so much that chasing becomes a massive tactical challenge.
• Average 1st Innings Score: 172–178.

Head-to-Head Record: A Dead Heat

This is one of the most balanced rivalries in IPL history.

• Total Matches: 32
• CSK Won: 16 | PBKS Won: 16
• The PBKS Edge: Punjab has won 6 of the last 8 meetings against CSK, showing they know how to dismantle the Chennai machine.

Updated Probable Playing XIs (IPL 2026)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) XI:

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
2. Ayush Mhatre
3. Sanju Samson (WK) — Traded from RR
4. Dewald Brevis ✈️
5. Shivam Dube
6. Matthew Short ✈️
7. MS Dhoni
8. Noor Ahmad ✈️
9. Khaleel Ahmed
10. Matt Henry ✈️
11. Anshul Kamboj

• Impact Player: Mukesh Choudhary / Shreyas Gopal

Punjab Kings (PBKS) XI:

1. Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
2. Priyansh Arya
3. Shreyas Iyer (C)
4. Marcus Stoinis ✈️
5. Shashank Singh
6. Nehal Wadhera
7. Marco Jansen ✈️
8. Azmatullah Omarzai ✈️
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Yuzvendra Chahal
11. Xavier Bartlett ✈️

• Impact Player: Harpreet Brar / Musheer Khan

Pitch & Toss Strategy

The Chepauk Factor: The pitch is expected to be a red soil surface. It offers good bounce initially but slows down significantly after the 10th over.

• Toss Tip: Bat First. Despite potential dew, the pitch at Chepauk often becomes a “spinner’s graveyard” for the team chasing.
• Key Matchup: Noor Ahmad vs Shreyas Iyer. Noor’s wrist-spin against Iyer’s ability to anchor the middle order will be the deciding factor.
• Impact Player: Ashutosh Sharma

Toss Tips & Prediction Strategy

Toss Decision: Bat First.

Despite the dew factor, Chepauk is a “score on the board” venue. In 2025, 65% of matches here were won by the team batting first. Putting 180+ runs on the board allows Jadeja and Noor Ahmad to squeeze the opposition under pressure.

Who Wins Today?

While PBKS has the recent psychological edge, CSK’s spin depth (Jadeja, Moeen, and the addition of Noor Ahmad) is perfectly built for this specific Chennai track. If Gaikwad and Samson provide a solid start, CSK should defend their home turf.

Final Prediction: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to win Match 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is special about the 2026 CSK Jersey?

It features five stars above the logo and replaces shoulder camouflage with bold vertical stripes across the front.

Q2: Who is the PBKS captain for 2026?

Shreyas Iyer leads PBKS after a stellar 2025 season.

Q3: Is MS Dhoni playing in IPL 2026?

Yes, Dhoni is playing as a designated wicketkeeper-batter and finisher for CSK.

Q4: What is the “Lion to Diamond” jersey?

It is the PBKS 2026 kit design, symbolizing raw talent (Lion) being polished into match-winners (Diamonds).

Q5: How did Sanju Samson join CSK?

He was traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2026 season in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Q6: What is the average score at Chepauk?

Around 170–175. Anything above 185 is considered a match-winning total.

Q7: Which bowler has the most wickets in this rivalry?

Dwayne Bravo and Ravichandran Ashwin lead with 18 wickets each.

Q8: Will there be dew in Chennai today?

Yes, humidity levels are expected to be high, leading to moderate dew after 9:00 PM.

Q9: Who is the Impact Player for CSK?

Tushar Deshpande is usually used when CSK bowls second to bolster the pace attack.

Q10: Where can I watch Match 7?

Live on Star Sports (TV) and JioHotstar (Mobile/Web).

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