In the 8th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be locking horns with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. PBKS registered a close win over the Rajasthan Royals in their first game owing to some brilliant knock from KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda. However, their bowlers like Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith were a touch wayward in their lines and lengths. But, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh can guide them to their second win in IPL 2021.

However, Punjab will come across a wounded CSK that lost its first IPL 2021 game to the Delhi Capitals (DC) last week. CSK has immense depth in their batting unit, and given how Suresh Raina has gone about things so far, they are a force to be reckoned with in this format. But their bowling attack lacks a genuine wicket-taker in the middle overs. The onus will be on Shardul Thakur to lead the pack, with the likes of Deepak Chahar and Ravindra Jadeja also be expected to play a crucial role. 

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The Super Kings will have fond memories of playing the Punjab Kings. They beat them twice in the previous season, one of which cost KL Rahul and his men a place in the playoffs. Punjab Kings will ideally look to exact revenge upon the Super Kings, although it won’t be easy. With two valuable points up for grabs, one can expect a cracking IPL 2021 fixture in Mumbai.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

In the upcoming game against CSK, Arshdeep Singh will play a crucial for his team while bowling to Sam Curran and Ravi Jadeja – lower down the order. It would be interesting to see the angle that he uses against the batting duo. On the batting front, KL Rahul will have to tackle eth threat of Deepak Chahar upfront. Punjab look set to continue with the winning combination. Even though the team management could be tempted to bring in Chris Jordan for one out of Meredith or Richardson.

Probable XI: KL Rahul (c/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Jason Behrendorff and Lungi Ngidi are still unavailable for selection. Even though Chahar doesn’t have the added advantage of possessing the left-arm angle, he would look to generate a bit of movement upfront at the Wankhede. There be a lot of expectations from Faf du Plessis as well, however, he has often been frustrated by Mohammed Shami. Another interesting point to note is Dwayne Bravo has dislodged Chris Gayle seven times in T20s.

Probable XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad/Robin Uthappa, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.

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Fantasy Suggestion #1:

Nicholas Pooran, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle (c), Faf du Plessis (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Mohammed Shami, Jhye Richardson, Dwayne Bravo, and Shardul Thakur

Fantasy Suggestion #2:

Nicholas Pooran (vc), Ambati Rayudu, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis (c), Mayank Agarwal, Moeen Ali, Deepak Hooda, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, Dwayne Bravo, and Shardul Thakur