IPL 2021: Match 53, CSK vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win today’s IPL match?

Preview

Chennai Super Kings are set to lock horns with Punjab Kings in Match No.53 of the 2021 Indian Premier League on Thursday, October 7 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. The Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, have already made their way through to the playoffs in the T20 tournament.

However, they are yet to cement their berth in the top two as the Royal Challengers Bangalore can still topple them to second. Dhoni’s men have lost two games in a row and are in a bit of strife going into their last league game. In their previous game, the Delhi Capitals beat them by six wickets.

The Kings, led by KL Rahul, on the other hand, are gasping for breath in the bottom of the table. A loss in their next game would see them crash out of the T20 league. They not only need a win, but a victory by a massive margin in their last group game to have any hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

Match Details

Match – Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings – 53rd match

Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Time – 3:30 PM IST, 10:00 AM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network, Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch in Dubai has been an excellent one for batting. But in the last two games, the bowlers have also had their say. The performances of the spinners will hold some importance if not a whole lot. Batting second should be the way forward for both teams.

Avg first innings score: 150 (8 matches in the IPL 2021 at Dubai)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 6, Lost – 2, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs:

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina/Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Dwayne Bravo, Josh Hazlewood

Bench: Robin Uthappa/Suresh Raina, KM Asif, Jason Behrendorff, Bhagath Verma, Krishnappa Gowtham, Narayan Jagadeesan, Lungi Ngidi, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, R Sai Kishore, Karn Sharma, Sam Curran, Imran Tahir

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul (C & WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

Bench: Chris Jordan, Jalaj Saxena, Mandeep Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Prabhsimran Singh, Saurabh Kumar, Murugan Ashwin, Adil Rashid, Ishan Porel, Fabian Allen, Deepak Hooda

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 25 | Chennai Super Kings – 16 | Punjab Kings – 9 | N/R – 0

In the UAE

Played – 3 | Chennai Super Kings – 2 | Punjab Kings – 1 | N/R – 0

Probable best batter of the match

KL Rahul— Punjab Kings

KL Rahul has been outstanding for the Kings in the tournament. In 12 matches, the right-hander has notched 528 runs at an average of 52.80 and a strike rate of 129.09. Having smashed five half-centuries, he has looked in ominous touch. In the previous game against RCB, he score 39 runs, though his efforts came in a losing cause. He will look to do well in the crunch game.

Probable best bowler of the match

Dwayne Bravo– Chennai Super Kings

Dwayne Bravo has been brilliant for the Super Kings in the ongoing edition of the IPL. The West Indies all-rounder has picked up 12 wickets from eight games at an incredible economy rate of 6.93. In CSK’s previous game against DC, he came to bowl in the 18th over and kept his team in hunt for a win. The veteran will look to deliver and cement CSK’s position in the top two.

Today’s match prediction: Punjab Kings to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.