IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI Against Chennai Super Kings

Punjab Kings are in a bit of strife in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. With 10 points from 12 matches, KL Rahul and Co are currently placed at sixth in the table. Moreover, their net run rate of -0.241 isn’t the best by any means.

In their final match against the Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, PBKS need to put their A-game forward in order to stay alive in the T20 competition. The Kings will be going into the match on the back of a six-run loss at the hands of the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The Punjab-based team was in the game for quite a while, but the RCB bowlers didn’t allow them to go over the line. For the time being, it remains to be seen whether or not PBKS make any changes for their must-win encounter.

Here’s the PBKS Predicted XI for the CSK vs PBKS match

Openers- KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, as usual, have been the standout performers for PBKS in the ongoing IPL. The right-handed Rahul is their leading run-scorer, having notched 528 runs at an average of 52.80 and a strike rate of 129.09. In the previous game, he scored 39, but couldn’t take his side home.

Agarwal, on the other hand, has been equally good if not better than Rahul. He has notched 429 runs at an average of 42.90 and a strike rate of 142.05. With four half-centuries and a top score of an unbeaten 99, he hasn’t looked out of sorts. Rahul and Mayank can’t afford to drop their guard by any means.

Middle-order- Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan

Aiden Markram has lent solidity to the PBKS middle order to a large extent, especially after Chris Gayle left the franchise’s bio-secure bubble. In five games, he has scored 133 runs at a decent average of 33.25. However, it’s his strike rate of 119.81 that he would dearly want to work upon.

Nicholas Pooran has continued to strain, although he has the potential to make a strong comeback. Sarfaraz Khan couldn’t open his account last time around and bagged a golden duck. PBKS may want to bring back Deepak Hooda. Shahrukh Khan has looked impressive, having played a strike rate of 139.42.

All-rounder- Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar

Moises Henriques hadn’t done much in IPL 2021 prior to the game against the Challengers. But in the previous match, he put his best foot forward with the ball in hand. He picked up three crucial wickets of Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and Dan Christian to rock RCB’s middle order.

With the bat, he scored 12 with a six, but would have wanted to take his team over the line. Harpreet Brar has stayed a tad quiet since his all-round show against RCB in the first half of the IPL. He will be looking to make an impact against the Super Kings along with Henriques.

Bowlers- Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

Mohammed Shami is the leading wicket-taker for the Punjab-based franchise. The fast bowler has 18 wickets to his name at an economy rate of 7.66. In the previous game against RCB, he picked up three wickets in his last over. PBKS will again be looking up to the veteran to deliver in the crunch game.

Arshdeep Singh isn’t far behind Shami as he has accounted for 16 scalps at an economy rate of 8.22. The left-armer has impressed in the tournament, having bowled both in the powerplay and at the death. Ravi Bishnoi hasn’t flattered to deceive either, having picked up 11 wickets at a rate of 6.40.