IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI Against Kolkata Knight Riders

Punjab Kings have every reason to worry about going into their last three matches of the league stage in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Currently placed at sixth in the points table, KL Rahul and Co. don’t have much room for error. In their previous game against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi, PBKS had every chance of going over the line, but Hardik Pandya’s late blitz robbed them off a victory.

Their next match is against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, October 1 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Going into the encounter, the odds aren’t in favour of PBKS. Out of 28 games against the Knights, the Punjab-based team has won only nine times. For the time being, it remains to be seen if PBKS make any changes to the playing eleven that featured in the game against MI.

Here’s the PBKS Predicted XI for the KKR vs PBKS match

Openers- KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh

KL Rahul has arguably been the standout batter for PBKS in the tournament. In 10 matches, the skipper has notched 422 runs at an average of 52.75 and a strike rate of 132.28 to go four half-centuries. But he didn’t have Mayank Agarwal as his partner in the previous game against MI.

Agarwal had a stiff back and Mandeep Singh replaced him in the playing eleven. If Mayank is fit, then Mandeep will have to make way for him. Agarwal has scored 332 runs at a strike rate of 142.48 with a top score of an unbeaten 99. Punjab’s batting will be strengthened further if Agarwal returns.

Middle-order- Aiden Markram, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda

The middle-order has blown a bit hot and cold in the tournament. Aiden Markram, who replaced Dawid Malan in the Kings, has shown a great amount of consistency with the bat. The right-hander has scored 95 runs from three games at an average of 47.50 with a reasonable strike rate of 117.28.

Chris Gayle has shown sparks of brilliance, but has been far from his best. The southpaw has 193 runs to his name at an average of 21.44. Nicholas Pooran scored 32 against RR, but has kept faltering in the event. Deepak Hooda got 28 runs in the last game and he should be high on confidence.

All-rounder- Harpreet Brar

Harpreet Brar has been reasonable for the Kings in the ongoing IPL. He started his campaign with a match-winning show against Royal Challengers Bangalore where he performed with both and ball. But after that, he has gone a tad out of the radar. Brar needs to find his mojo in the upcoming contest.

Bowlers- Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh

Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh have been the standout performers for the Punjab-based team in the tournament. Shami went for a few in the previous game, but he remains their leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps at an economy rate of 7.64. Arshdeep has lent him the apt support.

The left-armer has picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate similar to Shami’s. Nathan Ellis got his maiden wicket in the previous game and has bowled at an economy of 6.28. Ravi Bishnoi has been a revelation for PBKS. The leg-spinner has already picked up nine wickets at an excellent economy of 6.28.