Punjab Kings (PBKS) will look to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 playoffs alive. The 2014 runner-ups are currently sixth in the table with eight points to their name in 11 games.

Since coming to the UAE, they have lost two of the three games they have played. Punjab began the second half of the season with a heartbreaking defeat to Rajasthan Royals but got back to winning ways with a narrow victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, PBKS failed to build on the momentum lost to Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. 

KL Rahul’s side will hope to start that Mayank Agarwal returns to the lineup after missing the Mumbai Indians’ game due to an injury. Agarwal has been one of the league’s most consistent batters in the last two years and his unavailability will be a major blow to their hopes.

If he is fit, he should come back into the side for Mandeep Singh. However, if he is not fit, Punjab might think of opening with either Chris Gayle or Aiden Makaram and play an Indian allrounder like Shahrukh Khan in the lower order.  

Nicolas Pooran, who has just 70 runs from 10 games at an appalling average of 7.77 could find his place under the scanner. While, there is no doubting his talent and ability which the world saw last season, his performances this year have severely let them down and put pressure on the middle order. 

Fabian Allen could take Pooran’s place in the side if the team management decides a change is needed. The possibility of an Indian batsman coming into the side without the overseas quota going to Adil Rashid or Chris Jordan cannot be ruled out. Sarfaraz Khan will fancy his chances to play if this is the route Punjab decide to take. 

Punjab Kings predicted 11- KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Nicolas Pooran, Harpreet Brat, Deepak Hooda, Nathan Elis, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi