IPL 2021: PBKS vs MI Match 17 Predicted Playing 11 and Players
IPL 2021 PBKS vs MI: Mumbai Indians to take on Punjab Kings in match 17 as we look at the predicted playing 11 and top fantasy players picks.
We are in the second phase of the tournament, and already we are witnessing the usual performance from the teams that usually don’t do well. Punjab Kings are strangling in the bottom half of the points table with 1 win from 4 games, and Mumbai Indians are in the top 4 after 2 wins from 4 games.
Punjab Kings are still struggling to find the right combination for their playing 11. The team is still heavily dependant on their openers, and the middle-order and lower-order have given performance only in bits and pieces so far. Bowling too has been below-par, and their overseas pacers have been the biggest disappointment.
Mumbai Indians would be happy to be winning 2 games so far. They have played 4 games, and all 4 games have been a close affair with two results going their way, and two not going their way. However, their batting has been the biggest disappointment. Barring Suryakumar Yadav, none of their batsmen has reached a 50+ score.
Nevertheless, both the teams are coming off a loss, and would want to get back to winning ways. With Chennai being the pitch, expect another low-scoring encounter. So, looking at the current form of players, player availability, and playing conditions, what could be the ideal predicted playing 11 and top fantasy picks for PBKS vs MI Match 17 of IPL 2021?
IPL 2021 PBKS vs MI: Predicted Playing XI for Punjab Kings:
Nicholas Pooran’s form would be the first debatable point in PBKS’s team selection against MI. The Southpaw has managed to secure three ducks in four innings so far with scores reading 0(1), 0(2), and 0(0). With Pooran giving such poor returns, and PBKS struggling to find solidity in the middle-order, it is only wise for them to play Dawid Malan at 4.
The world number 1, David Malan would bring in the much-needed solidity in the middle-order, which is PBKS’ priority at the moment. This should also give KL Rahul to play with freedom, and be more dangerous. PBKS can also think of giving Nicholas Pooran another chance, and bring in Dawid Malan in place of Chris Gayle at 3, which is his original batting position.
Barring him, the team should definitely play two spinners at Chennai. It was quite surprising to see PBKS going in with 3 Pacers at the Chennai pitch. Ravi Bishnoi, who did well in his debut season in 2020, should be brought in for Moises Henriques, who doesn’t seem to add much value to the squad. Hence, PBKS might play only 3 overseas players in the squad.
IPL 2021 PBKS vs MI: Predicted Playing 11 for Punjab Kings:
KL Rahul (C&WK), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Fabien Allen, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami & Arshdeep Singh.
IPL 2021 PBKS vs MI: Predicted Playing XI for Mumbai Indians:
Mumbai Indians may have lost the match against Delhi Capitals, but the team rarely does change their team unless the pitch demands so. Also, Quinton de Kock’s form may concern Mumbai Indians a bit, but Mumbai Indians would not drop their best batter in the last two years because of a few bad innings in the Chennai pitch. So, Mumbai Indians should go unchanged again.
IPL 2021 PBKS vs MI: Predicted Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah & Trent Boult.
Top Fantasy Players to Pick for PBKS vs MI:
The pitch at Chennai has mostly favoured the batting in the first 8-10 overs before slowing down considerably. This match should not be any different. Also, spinners are the way to go at Chennai unless you have a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, who is pitch agnostic. Hence, the following combination of players should do good in your dream team selection.
Batsmen: KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, and Dawid Malan / Chris Gayle with priority to Malan.
All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Fabien Allen
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi (if he plays), and Murugan Ashwin
Captain and Vice-Captain Choice: Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul
Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for Match 17 PBKS vs MI of IPL 2021? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Ranking and Rating the Middle-order Batsmen of each Team
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.