IPL 2021, Match 53: CSK vs PBKS, Stats Preview: Player records and approaching milestones

Stakes will be high when Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings will cross swords in their respective last league-stage game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Having already qualified for the playoffs, Chennai Super Kings would seal a top-two finish with a win in this game. If that happens, MS Dhoni’s men will have an additional chance of securing a place in the playoffs.

On the other hand, Punjab Kings’ chances of finishing among the top four are all but over. After all, they lost eight of their first 13 games. However, if they beat the Men in Yellow in Dubai, they’ll still have an outside chance of going through. With some much to play for, both teams must leave no stones unturned to emerge victorious.

Although CSK are way ahead of PBKS in the points table, the three-time champions have some issues to resolve after two consecutive defeats. While CSK bowlers endured a hard time against Rajasthan Royals, the Super Kings suffered a batting failure against Delhi Capitals.

On the other hand, the inability to sustain pressure has been the major reason behind PBKS’ undoing. Nevertheless, they still have some potent T20 stars in the ranks. Hence, it would be interesting to see how this game pans out.

Meanwhile, let’s look at important stats and numbers ahead of the 52nd game of the Indian Premier League 2021:

Head to head: CSK are ahead of PBKS in terms of head-to-head record in IPL. In 24 clashes, Chennai have won 15 games while the Punjab-based outfit emerged winners 9 times.

1 – Dwayne Bravo needs just one wicket to become the first bowler to scalp 550 wickets in T20 cricket.

2 –Bravo also needs 2 more wickets to overtake Amit Mishra and become the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. While Bravo has 165 scalps, Mishra has 166 wickets. Lasith Malinga (170) tops this list.

1 – Ambati Rayudu is just one big hit away from completing 200 sixes in T20 cricket.

1 – One strike over the fence will also see Rayudu completing 150 sixes in the Indian Premier League.

8 – Moeen Ali needs eight sixes to complete 200 sixes in T20 cricket.

120 – Robin Uthappa (6880) is 120 runs short of completing 7000 runs in T20 cricket. Among Indians, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have achieved this milestone so far.

95 – CSK skipper MS Dhoni can also complete 7000 T20 runs. He’s 95 runs away from the landmark.

89 – Ambati Rayudu needs 89 runs to become the 9th Indian and 12th overall to slam 4000 runs in IPL.

1 – Shardul Thakur is one scalp away from completing 50 wickets for Chennai Super Kings. He would become the seventh bowler to do so.

28 – KL Rahul is 28 runs shy of becoming the highest run-scorer for the Punjab-based team. Shaun Marsh currently holds the record with 2477 runs.

15 – Rahul also needs just 15 runs to become the first player to complete 1000 IPL runs on UAE soil.

100 – Mayank Agarwal is set to make his 100th appearance in the Indian Premier League.

3 – Punjab Kings all-rounder Moises Henriques is 3 runs away from completing 1000 runs in IPL.