The 53rd match of the IPL 2021 will see Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dubai. While CSK has qualified for the playoffs and has sealed a top-two spot unofficially as well, PBKS have a lot to do as they not only need to win here but need some other results to go their way for them to qualify for playoffs.
CSK had defeated PBKS in their previous meeting in IPL 2021 in Mumbai after Deepak Chahar’s 4/13 restricted the Punjab side to just 106/8 in 20 overs. CSK chased down the total with 7 wickets in hand and almost 4 overs to spare.
Keeping this in mind, here is the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the CSK v PBKS match in Dubai.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
CSK was the first team to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2021, in a contrast to their IPL 2020 performance when they were the first team eliminated from the playoffs race. However, the MS Dhoni-led team changed their fortunes on the back of some amazing performances from openers Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
IPL 2021: CSK name Dominic Drakes of Barbados as a replacement for Sam Curran
Along with them, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, and Dwayne Bravo have done well with the bat, while Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Josh Hazlewood have been outstanding with the ball. Jadeja, Ali, and Bravo have been in the thick of things with both the bat and the ball, providing the misfiring Dhoni and Raina the comfort.
With this being an inconsequential match for the yellow army who have sealed a top-two spot, expect Josh Hazlewood to be rested and Lungi Ngidi getting his day in the sun, and also Imran Tahir could be picked to give a breather to Bravo.
PUNJAB KINGS
Punjab Kings are at the 6th spot with 10 points from 13 matches and are more or less out of the playoffs race. Even if they win this match and Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians lose theirs, PBKS net run rate wouldn’t allow them to surpass them on 12 points.
But PBKS can play for pride here as their openers have been terrific with KL Rahul holding the Orange Cap for most runs and Mayank Agarwal also amongst runs. But their middle-order has not been clicking as it should be with the likes of Deepak Chahar, Nicholas Pooran, and others failing to be consistent with runs.
T20 World Cup 2021: Warm-up matches schedule released; India to play Australia and England
On the bowling side, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Harpreet Brar have been very good but have not received support from the batters. Also, the need for PBKS management to consistently chopping and changing their playing XI has led to anxiety amongst players about their spot in the team.
CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi
PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:
KL Rahul (C&WK), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
