Defending Champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 42nd match of the IPL 2021 which will be played in Abu Dhabi. MI currently has 8 points from 10 matches, while PBKS are also on the same points from 10 matches, albeit with a better net run rate.
Punjab Kings had defeated Mumbai Indians in their previous encounter in Chennai and neither of the teams can afford any more losses going forward in the tournament.
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Both MI and PBKS need to win all of their remaining matches to stay in contention for playoffs and the team losing this match may find their road to playoffs qualification become harder.
Keeping this in mind, Team COC presents the predicted playing XIs for the MI v PBKS match in Abu Dhabi.
MUMBAI INDIANS
Mumbai Indians have only 8 points from 10 matches and have seen their fortunes dwindle in the second half of the IPL 2021 in UAE. The main reason for this is the non-performance from the core of the MI batting unit, their middle order.
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan were their powerhouses when MI won their fifth IPL title in UAE last season, but this time around, they have completely lost form. Especially Kishan whose strike rate of 86 is the lowest for a player who has made a minimum of 50 runs this season. As for Yadav, he has managed just single-digit scores in the last four matches.
Hardik Pandya, not bowling has meant that MI’s team balance has not been perfect, while his brother Krunal Pandya’s bowling form has been dismal, while his batting is nothing to write about.
MI might bring in Jayant Yadav for him, given the presence of left-handers in the PBKS lineup. One more change that MI might make is bringing in Nathan Coulter-Nile for Adam Milne, who has been expensive in the last couple of matches.
The Rohit Sharma-led team cannot afford any more losses going forward.
PUNJAB KINGS
The KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings cannot stop making needless changes to their playing XI in almost every match they have played thus far in the UAE-leg of the IPL 2021. They had dropped Chris Gayle from the first couple of matches and despite having two very good leggies in Ravi Bishnoi and M Ashwin, signed Adil Rashid of England, playing him for a single match.
The batting hinges heavily on Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, the bowling on Arshdeep Singh and Mohammad Shami. They have found a working and match-winning combination finally with both Bishnoi and Gayle finding places in the XI, alongside Aiden Markram, while Nathan Ellis made an impressive debut as well.
KL Rahul and co. needs to stick with this winning combination and good things will happen to them.
If PBKS wins this encounter against MI, they might make a huge dent in the defending champions' chances of making it into the playoffs.
MI COC Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:
KL Rahul (C&WK), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nathan Ellis, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
