IPL 2021: Match 8, PBKS v CSK – COC Predicted Playing XIs

CSK lost their first match to DC, while PBKS beat RR in their first encounter.

As the caravan of IPL 2021 continues to warm up with all the teams having atleast one match under their belts, match 8 of the tournament will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) face off against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 16, 2021, in a night match which begins at 7.30 PM IST. The match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Both the teams have played one game at the venue and CSK was decimated by Delhi Capitals (DC) despite scoring 188 runs batting first. On the other hand, KL Rahul’s Punjab Kings almost lost their match against Rajasthan Royals, as their new captain Sanju Samson slammed 119 and nearly chased down the 222-run target, falling short by just 4 runs.

This will be a must-win match for Chennai Super Kings to gain some confidence, while PBKS will look to continue with their winning ways in the tournament and Team COC presents the Predicted Playing XIs for the PBKS v CSK match.

PUNJAB KINGS (PBKS)

The Punjab Kings looked solid in their first match of the IPL 2021 against the Rajasthan Royals and their batting clicked big time. KL Rahul and Chris Gayle showed amazing hitting prowess as the Mumbai pitch provided the assistance to just hit through the line of the ball.

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Deepak Hooda grabbed the opportunity to bat at no.4 with both hands and obliterated RR bowlers in a whirlwind knock of 64 in 28 balls. KL Rahul showed why he is a dangerous customer as he anchored one end when Gayle and Hooda were demolishing the bowlers and when they got out, he took over and took the PBKS team score to dizzying heights.

Bowling-wise, it was a good performance from all the bowlers, despite the figures showing that they went for runs. It was a run-fest and bowlers did well for themselves, especially the two Australian debutants in Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. Meredith in particular was good, bowling at some serious pace.

The PBKS team management might make no changes to the winning combination, though they might be enticed to bring in Ravi Bishnoi for M Ashwin, as Ashwin looks kind of out of sorts on that pitch, but may get another chance to come good.  

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK)

Chennai Super Kings did nothing much wrong in their opening match against the Delhi Capitals (DC), but their bowling came up a cropper as DC openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw took them to the cleaners with ease.

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Their top order failed to produce runs, but Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, and Sam Curran along with Rayudu and Jadeja took CSK to a competitive total. However, they need to get runs from the top order, especially openers, if they wish to either put a big total on the board or chase a big total, which is a norm when it comes to the Wankhede Stadium.

MS Dhoni himself has a couple of conundrums to ponder upon, especially with his bowling department, as Dwayne Bravo’s powers have dwindled a lot, while Shardul Thakur is an expensive bowler to have in the team, despite his abilities to take wickets.

CSK might still not have the services of Lungi Ngidi, and this means Dhoni might have to continue with the same playing XI as in the opening match.

PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:

KL Rahul (C&WK), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, M Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Riley Meredith, Arshdeep Singh

CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar