What's at stake for the teams in the CSK vs PBKS IPL 2025 match?

Going into the match at Chepauk, Punjab Kings have the whole IPL 2025 open to them. The home team, meanwhile, have been largely reduced to playing for their reputation in the campaign now. The five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, are finding it significantly hard to leave the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. While none of the teams have been officially eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race, it’s similar to shooting for the stars in a literal sense for CSK from here. As they host Punjab Kings at Chepauk, the ground that has rarely played home for them this season, Chennai Super Kings would hope to overturn the string of disappointments. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have a mid-table tussle to break out from and re-enter the Top 4 as the contest for top finish intensifies.

CSK vs PBKS IPL 2025 match: The last chance for Chennai Super Kings to stay alive in the contest

When the side, led by MS Dhoni, beat LSG to finally claim their second win of the season, CSK still had a chance of revival. However, they have lost two more since then. A redeemed Mumbai Indians avenged their loss in the campaign opener as CSK arrived at Wankhede in the 'El Clasico' rematch. Following that, it was a bottom-of-the-table clash in the CSK vs SRH IPL 2025 match. In a similar slump, SRH picked the win at Chepauk to stay alive in the tournament. It has been a matter of survival for CSK for quite some time now. However, the tussle seizes at Chepauk in the CSK vs PBKS match.

A loss, yet another at home, once again to Punjab Kings in the season would officially eliminate Chennai Super Kings from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. However, if the team manages to overturn the likely scenario, CSK would still be counted in. No matter what wonder it takes after that, the five-time champions could carry on the hope for a heroic comeback. The scenario for CSK from here is to win all the remaining 5 matches and win them with margins big enough to redeem the NRR, which is currently -1.39. Even if it happens, CSK would need to rely on other teams to gain an entry into the IPL 2025 playoffs.

What's in it for Punjab Kings at Chepauk?

Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have a more practical approach to look forward to. The team, led by Shreyas Iyer, have managed to hold one of the seats in the upper half of the IPL 2025 points table right from the inception of the season. However, now that Mumbai Indians have staged a comeback and Royal Challengers Bengaluru boast an unmatched form, the contest has grown even tougher. To aim at a finish in the Top 2, the work starts right here. With 11 points in 9 matches, PBKS are currently placed at the 5th spot on the IPL 2025 points table.

Punjab Kings have experienced beating Chennai Super Kings already in the season. Despite CSK taking control early in the match at Mullanpur, a fiery century from the young opener, Priyansh Arya, set the record straight. The CSK batting order, limping right from the start, failed to chase the par 200-run score. While an impressive fight, CSK fumbled the match by 18 runs, one of the five matches that the team lost consecutively. Now, IPL 2025 brings Punjab Kings to Chepauk. However, the venue has not served as a home to CSK this season.

Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk so far and CSK vs PBKS head-to-head in IPL

In the initial phase of the season, RCB beat CSK at Chepauk for the first time since the inaugural season in 2008. In turn, Delhi Capitals arrived in Chennai, only to beat the home side at their home for the first time in 15 years. Most recently, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first-ever win against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Punjab Kings, however, defeated the team at home last year. The side would hope to repeat the same in the CSK vs PBKS IPL 2025 match.

Overall, PBKS and CSK have played 31 matches in the league against each other. CSK have come out on top in 16 clashes while Punjab have 15 wins to their name. In the upcoming clash against an already struggling side, PBKS have the chance to level the score in IPL history. Meanwhile, CSK, at multiple events in the ongoing season, have expressed their unfamiliarity with the Chepauk conditions despite it being their home.

On a surface that has clearly not played fair for batters and bowlers similarly, it would be an interesting face-off. But the CSK vs SRH match saw dew playing a deciding factor, with the chase experiencing heavy moistness in the outfield. If the last match is taken as a reference to decide the path further, toss would play a crucial role in the CSK vs PBKS challenge.