IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra picks his ideal playing XIs for RR vs PBKS match

The Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals will face each other in the 32nd match of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on 21st September 2021. And, ahead of this contest, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his predicted playing XIs for the match.

According to Chopra, skipper KL Rahul should open the batting for the Punjab Kings, alongside West Indies legend Chris Gayle. Chopra slotted Mayank Agarwal at No.3, and left-handed batsman Nicholas Pooran at No.4. While Deepak Hooda will come in at No.5, all-rounders Shahrukh Khan and Moises Henriques will walk in at No.6 and No.7.

The four bowlers whom Aakash Chopra picked for Punjab’s battle against Rajasthan are Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, and Nathan Ellis.

Aakash Chopra picks his ideal RR XI for the match against PBKS

Aakash Chopra feels that youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal should open the batting for the Rajasthan side along with Evin Lewis. Skipper Sanju Samson will come in at No.3, while overseas recruits Liam Livingstone and David Miller will occupy the No.4 and No.5 spots in the side.

While Riyan Parag will walk in at No.6, all-rounders Rahul Tewatia, Shreyas Gopal, and Chris Morris will occupy the next three slots in the playing XI. While Chopra feels that left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat is a sure-shot pick, the final spot in the XI will be a toss-up between youngsters Kartik Tyagi and Chetan Sakariya.

While the Rajasthan Royals are currently placed at the 6th place in the points table and have won 3 out of their 7 matches so far, the Punjab Kings are occupying the 7th spot, having emerged victorious thrice in 8 matches.

Aakash Chopra’s predicted PBKS Playing XI: KL Rahul (c and wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis

Aakash Chopra’s predicted RR Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Evin Lewis, Sanju Samson (c and wk), Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Shreyas Gopal, Chris Morris, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya/ Kartik Tyagi