PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK- IPL 2026, Match 7. Credits - AP
Punjab Kings won their opening match of the IPL 2026 against the Gujarat Titans, thanks to a Cooper Connolly special. Now, the caravan moves to the south of India to be at loggerheads with the Chennai Super Kings on Friday at Chepauk.
Bowling first, Punjab's new ball pair had a poor day, especially Arshdeep Singh equalling an unwanted record, but Vyshak Vijaykumar and Marco Jansen brought them back, alongside a mastery from Yuzvendra Chahal.
Later in a subdued chase of 163 runs, Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Colony shared a 76-run partnership for the second wicket before PBKS faced an unreal collapse. However, Connolly, on his IPL debut, kept his calm and played the knock of his life, taking the team home.
Heading further the Kings need batter performances from their mainstay batters and the frontline seamers. Nevertheless, let us look at what can the PBKS Predicted Playing XI.
Also Read: Cooper Connolly Excluded From Contract Day After Punjab Kings IPL Heroics
PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK- IPL 2026
Top Order: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly
Prabhsimran Singh was the only positive in Punjab's batting, apart from Cooper Connolly. The attacking attack smashed four biggies and a boundary during his 37-run blitz. He did what was expected from him, but he would have to score bigger runs after playing as many as 24 balls.
The young Priyansh Arya smacked a marvellous six off Mohammad Siraj, before falling cheaply on 7 runs. He will look to redeem himself after the failure.
As Cooper Connolly scored an unbeaten 77, Punjab Kings loyalists started comparing the southpaw to Shaun Marsh, who is a legend for the franchise. Although it would be too early to put Connolly on a pedestal already, the all-rounder surely has answered why he is rated so highly.
Middle Order & All Rounders: Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen
Shreyas Iyer, Sarpanch Sahab, as they say, got a start in the last game, but he threw his wicket against Prasidh Krishna. He selects himself as the captain of the team, and is the biggest name in the PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK.
As Punjab collapsed, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis failed big time. However, all three of them are quality players and won’t fail every time.
Marco Jansen, the batter, may have failed in the previous game, but he was exceptional with the ball in hand. The left-arm pacer returned with 1 for 20. Interestingly, he gave away just a solitary boundary in his four overs, making him a key cricketer in the PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK.
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Arshdeep Singh
Vyshak Vijaykumar was the best bowler for the Kings in their opener, scalping three wickets in his overs. Shreyas Iyer used him majorly in the death overs, and the right-arm quick bowled beautifully while getting the ball to reverse swing. After that spell, no fan can think of leaving Vijaykumar out of the PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK.
Both Xavier Bartlett and Arshdeep Singh were poor in Punjab's first game of the season. Considering Nandre Burger, a left-arm quick, rattled CSK in their previous game, Punjab will look to operate with Arshdeep and Marco Jansen with the new ball.
Yuzvendra Chahal is PBKS' prime wicket-taking option, and he has a tremendous record in Chennai, which is why he will be lethal in the PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK.
The team management may drop Xavier Barlett to bring in Harpreet Brar if Chepauk offers a dry pitch, which has been rare in recent times. So, Brar could be the Impact Player in the PBKS Predicted Playing XI vs CSK.
PBKS Playing XI vs CSK
Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Players: Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Suryansh Shedge, Musheer Khan, Ben Dwarshuis
Also Read: RCB Key Player Issued Notice Amid IPL 2026
