IPL 2021: Match 17, PBKS v MI – COC Predicted Playing XIs

Punjab has lost three matches on a trot, while MI lost their last match to DC.

The 17^th match of the IPL 2021 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) taking on Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 23, 2021. The match will start at 7.30 PM IST.

PBKS have lost all three matches after their win in their first match, while MI has won two matches and lost two matches out of four played so far. Therefore this match becomes extremely important for both teams as the teams enter the middle of the IPL 2021 tournament.

Keeping in mind everything, TEAM COC presents Predicted Playing XIs for the PBKS v MI match in Chennai.

PUNJAB KINGS (PBKS)

Punjab Kings have been in utter turmoil after winning their first match against Rajasthan Royals, which was also a narrow win by just 4 runs. Since then, they have lost three consecutive matches to Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The major problem for them has been the failure of the top order to take advantage of the powerplay and major players like Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran being out of form. Pooran has scored three ducks in the tournament this far.

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PBKS might also go for Dawid Malan in place of either Pooran or Gayle given their inability to score runs.

Mayank Agarwal has been in decent form, while KL Rahul has scored the most runs for them, but his strike rate has been criminally low, putting pressure on the middle order to score. And only Shahrukh Khan has been able to garner some runs for them in tight situations.

Bowling-wise, they have been dependent on one spinner only in M Ashwin, who despite being economical, hasn’t been amongst the wickets. Their foreign fast bowlers went for runs and they had to resort to Indian fast bowlers in Mohammad Shami and Arshdeep Singh.

The inclusion of Moises Henriques and Fabian Allen was a welcome one and a longer run to both players in the XI will benefit the team.

MUMBAI INDIANS (MI)

Mumbai Indians have been the most settled team in the tournament and they have adapted well while moving to Chennai for their next set of matches. Their batting has been decent with the exception of Quinton de Kock being the anomaly of not scoring runs.  

Rohit, Suryakumar, Ishan, and Pollard have been amongst the runs, while Hardik Pandya must look to contribute with the bat more till the time he bowls as well. Krunal Pandya has been good in both departments.

Jayant Yadav shined with the ball and the bat in his first match of the tournament and is a welcome addition to the team especially on the turning pitch of Chepauk. Him partnering with Rahul Chahar has added potency to their bowling attack.

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Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have been the best fast bowlers in the tournament by far and have bowled well with both the new ball and at death.

They will be looking forward to the PBKS challenge and again get back on the winning ways.

PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:

KL Rahul (C&WK), Mayank Agarwal, Dawid Malan, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Shahrukh Khan, Fabian Allen, M Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh

MI COC Predicted Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult