The second match of the double-header on April 21, 2021, will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match will be played at 7.30 PM IST.
This will be the first match for Eoin Morgan’s side at the Wankhede Stadium, and they have won just one match out of three played in Chennai and the change of venue might help them. On the other hand, Chennai has won 2 out of three matches played so far and is on the second spot on the points table.
Taking this into consideration, TEAM COC presents to you the Predicted Playing XIs for the KKR v CSK match at Mumbai.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS (KKR)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn’t have a great time at Chennai, having lost two out of three matches played there and even captain Eoin Morgan admitted that he had failed to read the Chepauk pitch properly.
Their batting has been of not much problem, but finishing the game has been a huge issue. Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, and Rahul Tripathi have given them good starts and Eoin Morgan has been able to continue the momentum.
But Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell have not been at the peak of the form, especially Russell, whose graph has been on a downward spiral in IPL. He also doesn’t look 100% fit, given his movement in the field and running. The energy and positivity in the team is low and it's showing in their performances.
This being in Mumbai might see KKR going for Sunil Narine over Shakib Al Hasan, given he brings his batting to the table as well. Also possibly sitting out maybe Harbhajan Singh, as KKR may not play three spinners in Wankhede.
This means either Shivam Mavi, Sandeep Warrier, or Kamlesh Nagarkoti might come in as the third seamer, especially with Russell struggling in his movements.
Varun Chakravarthy has been their best bowler by far and the Wankhede pitch will also suit Prasidh Krishna’s natural length and pace.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings have found a settled playing XI which sees them sitting on the second spot in the IPL 2021 points table with 2 wins in 3 matches.
Though Ruturaj Gaikwad has not had the best of the outings, coach Stephen Fleming has said that he will be backed fully this season. Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, and Ambati Rayudu have done amazingly well in the batting department, so much that MS Dhoni’s failures with the bat have been overlooked.
Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran have done great with both the bat and the ball in all three matches. Their only shortcoming has been all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, whose bowling has not been upto the mark, while he shined with the bat in the last match as well.
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Though Shardul Thakur has been expensive, he has done well to pick up wickets, and given great support to Deepak Chahar who had picked wickets at the start.
They have just two matches left in Mumbai before they move to Delhi and might want to win both matches here.
KKR COC Predicted Playing XI:
Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy
CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar
