File Image: Shreyas Iyer and MS Dhoni (Image Credit: IPL) CHENNAI: There was a time when taking on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was a daunting task for visiting IPL teams. Over the past year, the fortress has slowly begun to lose its fangs.The five-time champions, who managed just one win in six matches in Chepauk last season, will be hoping to get out of the blocks and exorcise those demons when they face a confident Punjab Kings in the first home game on Friday. Their last memory at this venue is a four-goal defeat against the same opponent. After finishing with the wooden spoon last year, CSK – with plenty of youth in their ranks – will look to recreate some of the old Chepauk magic. Earlier this week, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK were trounced by Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati by eight wickets in their season opener.Problems of the highest order CSKWith MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes will now be on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In the wicketkeeper-palta, CSK have a proven performer who can stead the ship. But in the opener against RR, Samson and Ruturaj, who opened together, did not go – both managed just six runs.It wasn’t just the two who faltered. A batting line-up built around six batsmen fell apart against Rajasthan, with Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube failing to fire. With little experience to draw upon, CSK’s batting line-up looked like fish out of water. Lower-order all-rounder Jamie Overton was the only bright spot as CSK limped to 127.However, Ruturaj came out strongly in favor of the youngsters. “It’s a new, young group, they’re going to learn slowly. The more games they have, the better they’ll get,” Ruturaj said.He will probably playMeanwhile, Punjab Kings have an air of positive energy around them after starting their campaign with a three-wicket win against Gujarat Titans. But there was a bit of concern over skipper Shreyas Iyer’s fitness after he was hit on the wrist. However, assistant coach Brad Haddin said Iyer is ready to play. “No break. So that’s a good thing. Now it’s just about getting the swelling down and getting the movement back in the hand,” Haddin said.7 – Punjab Kings have won seven of their last eight matches against CSK. Their tally includes five in a row from 7 October 2021 to 1 May 2024. CSK’s only win during this period was by 28 runs in Dharamshala on 5 May 2024.
—Statistics: Rajesh Kumar
