IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra picks his ideal playing XIs for CSK vs KKR match

The final of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While the KKR side will be looking to win their third IPL trophy, CSK will be aiming for their fourth title.

And, ahead of this monumental encounter, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal playing XIs of both sides on his YouTube channel. Chopra stated that for both these teams, the ‘cream’ of the batting is at the top of the order.

Chopra also feels that both Chennai and Kolkata have the ‘middle muddle’ and the middle order has not been firing consistently. As far as Chennai is concerned, Chopra feels that Ambati Rayudu has been the only shining grace in the CSK middle order.

Chopra stated that Robin Uthappa will be confident going into the final after his half-century against Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1. Chopra also feels that Shardul Thakur will be the X-Factor of the CSK side in the final.

Aakash Chopra picks his ideal KKR playing XI for their clash against CSK

Aakash Chopra feels that Shakib Al Hasan is a brilliant addition to the KKR side, but the Bangladesh cricketer cannot make an impact if he bats lower down the order. The 44-year-old also feels that Sunil Narine bats well when he gets a chance a little higher up the order.

Chopra also opined that the KKR side has one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament, and lauded the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine for their superb performances with the ball this year. Chopra did not suggest any changes to be made to both the teams ahead of the summit clash.

Aakash Chopra’s Predicted KKR Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Mavi

Aakash Chopra’s Predicted CSK Playing XI: Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood