IPL 2021: Match 14 - Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI Against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) opened their campaign in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) with a victory. But thereafter, KL Rahul and Co have looked out of sorts, to say the least. In their previous match, they lost to the Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets after failing to defend 195.

Their net run rate, which is currently at -0.967, also took a dip and they need to work on the same going forward. Their next match is against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday, April 21 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

It’s also PBKS’s first game at the Chepauk and it remains to be seen how they adjust to the conditions. The Punjab team’s bowling has taken a pounding thus far. But against SRH, who are yet to open their account in the tournament, PBKS would be fancying their chances.

Here’s PBKS’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2021 Match 14:

Openers (Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (C and WK))

PBKS would be relieved that one of their premier batters, Mayank Agarwal, found his rhythm back in the last game. The right-hander got scores of zero and 14 to start his campaign in the tournament. But against the Capitals, he smashed 69 runs off 36 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes.

His partner, KL Rahul, has 157 runs to his name at an average and strike rate of 52.33 and 145.37. Though in the last game, he scored 61, the right-hander couldn’t quite press the accelerator as he couldn’t go beyond a strike rate of 119.60. Punjab will look up to Rahul and Agarwal for a brisk start

Middle-order (Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan)

Chris Gayle started his tournament with a score of 40 against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), but since then, he has succumbed to a couple of failures. His strike rate of 129.78 suggests that he hasn’t quite been at his brutal best. His Caribbean partner, Nicholas Pooran, hasn’t contributed much either.

Deepak Hooda notched 64 runs in the first game, and he has looked fairly good. He has also rolled his arms overs, though he hasn’t picked up a wicket. Shahrukh Khan played a knock of substance against the Capitals. He scored 68 runs and showed the amount of damage he can cause on his day.

All-rounder (Fabian Allen)

Fabian Allen might make the cut as the all-rounder in place of all-rounder Jalaj Saxena. He was a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2020, but he didn’t get to play a game. On a slow and low track at the Chepauk, he might get a chance. In 35 T20s, the 25-year-old has 482 runs and 19 wickets.

Bowlers (Ravi Bishnoi, Jhye Richardson, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami)

The Kings might give a chance to Ravi Bishnoi, who was one of the key performers last season. The youngster is likely to come in place of Riley Meredith, who has bowled at an economy rate of 10.50 thus far in the T20 league. Murugan Ashwin might not be preferred since has an economy of 10.71.

Jhye Richardson has three wickets to his name at an economy rate of 10.63. He’s likely to retain his spot and get another opportunity. Arshdeep Singh has been the standout bowler for his team with five wickets. Mohammed Shami had a poor outing last time and he would want to make amends.