IPL 2021: PBKS vs CSK Dream11 Fantasy Prediction, Team News, and Captain Pick

Punjab Kings will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings in the eighth match of the IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. The two teams had a contrasting start to their IPL 2021 campaign.

Match Details: PBKS vs CSK

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Date: 16th April 2021
Time: 07:30 PM

Preview: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings

Punjab Kings got off to a flying start to their IPL campaign. They registered a four-run victory in their previous game over the IPL 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals in the last ball thriller. The Kings will be hoping to pick up a win from this game and strengthen their position in the standings. The KL Rahul-led side will be hoping to make it to the summit clash and lift their maiden IPL trophy this time around.

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, had a dismal start to their IPL 2021 campaign. They fell to a seven-wicket defeat in their previous game against the IPL 2020 runners-up Delhi Capitals. MS Dhoni & co will be desperately looking to win this game and open their account in the IPL 2021. The three-time champions will be determined enough to make it to the playoffs after an early exit in the last season.

Weather Report:

The skies will stay clear with zero chances of rain interruptions for the entire duration of the game. The temperature will hover around 30 degrees Celsius.

Pitch Report:

The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium is a batting-friendly one with an average 1st innings score of 204 runs. The batsmen will be able to play shots on the upside on this ground with relatively shorter boundaries. Wankhede Stadium’s proximity to the Arabian Sea guarantees plenty of swing on offer for the bowlers. With the dew likely to play a part in the latter half of the game, the captain winning the toss should look to bowl first.

Probable Playing XI:

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul (C & WK), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.

Head to Head Records:

Top Picks:

KL Rahul: After a sensational performance in the last game, the Kings’ skipper will be one of the most chalky captaincy choices. Rahul scored a brilliant century (91) off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 182.00. He can also contribute some crucial points from behind the stumps.

Suresh Raina: The Chinna Thala, who was back in the CSK camp after missing the last year’s IPL, put up a great show in the CSK’s season opener. Raina was unlucky enough to get runout after mustering a half-century (54) off 36 balls.

Differential Picks:

Riley Meredith: The Aussie pacer is a genuine wicket-taker who managed to scalp a wicket on his IPL debut. Meredith is expected to bowl his full quota of overs and pick atleast one wicket in this game.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Gaikwad is a quality batsman who has scored 209 runs in 7 matches at an excellent average of 41.8. But after getting out cheaply in the last game, Gaikwad will be ignored by most of the fantasy players. He will open the innings for Chennai Super Kings.

Captaincy Options:

KL Rahul
Faf Du Plessis
Chris Gayle

Dream11 Team:

TEAM 1 (IF PBKS BATS FIRST)

TEAM 2 (IF CSK BATS FIRST)

Probable Winners:

Punjab Kings are expected to win this game.

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