CSK fans go berserk as hosts bat first [Source: Screengrab- Star Sports]CSK and Punjab Kings franchises are crossing paths in match number seven of the IPL 2026 season to mark their second respective outings of the tournament. Prior to the match, Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first. The decision sparked a thunderous reception at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai as fans jubilantly welcomed the decision of CSK batting upfront, with the atmosphere reaching fever pitch despite MS Dhoni’s continued absence from the playing XI due to injury. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ian Bishop struggle to communicate at toss Iyer’s decision sparked a thunderous response from the Chepauk crowd, with the noise levels swelling to such an extent that home skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and commentator Ian Bishop found it difficult to clearly hear and communicate with each other during the toss proceedings. Also Read- CSK’s Home Pride On The Line As Punjab Kings Chase 4-In-A-Row In ChennaiBishop even jokingly apologized to the CSK captain for being inaudible, as he walked towards him to communicate clearly amid booming crowd noise.Star Sports @StarSportsIndia Shreyas Iyer has won the toss & PBKS will bowl first! 🙌🔥 Chepauk is set to roar as Super Kings take on Punjab Kings ⚡💛 Which team will start strong tonight? 👀 #TATAIPL 2026 | #CSKvPBKS | LIVE NOW 👉 Apr 3, 2026, 7:21 PM MS Dhoni still nursing injury, misses PBKS matchFormer CSK captain MS Dhoni, who missed his team’s opening match of the IPL 2026 season against the Rajasthan Royals, is also ruled out of their first home game of the tournament against Punjab Kings on April 3. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter is still recovering from his calf strain. Last week, the CSK franchise confirmed that Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to be unavailable for at least four matches spanning the first couple of weeks of IPL 2026. Ruturaj Gaikwad makes 2 changes vs PBKS Starting off the IPL 2026 season with a crushing defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals earlier this week, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has decided to make a couple of changes in the playing XI for the match against Punjab Kings. The skipper opened the innings with Sanju Samson, with the likes of Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan forming the team’s middle-order. It is worth noting that Sarfaraz Khan and Prashant Veer are replacing Matthew Short and Jamie Overton respectively. The match also marks the IPL debut of Prashant.Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube both retained their place in the side. Here is a look at CSK’s entire playing XI against Punjab Kings in Chennai. CSK playing XI against Punjab Kings Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed. CSK jolted early with the wicket of Sanju Samson Fresh from an eight-wicket larruping at the hands of Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30 earlier this week, the CSK franchise got off to yet another torrid start, this time against the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings side in Chennai. Star opener Sanju Samson was dismissed for just a run-a-ball seven by Xavier Bartlett in the second over of the match. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad counterattacked with a couple of confident boundaries to start off his innings, as CSK aim to make amends for their opening disaster. Also Read- Fact Check: Is Ajinkya Rahane Speaking The Truth About His Strike-Rate Since IPL 2023?
