IPL 2021, CSK vs PBKS Preview: Can Chennai Super Kings end Punjab Kings' playoffs hopes for good?

The battle for the top and fourth spot is still on in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, as former champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) collides against Punjab Kings in Match 53 at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday. With both teams playing for their respective ambition, we present the preview of this exciting encounter.

Current form
CSK is placed second in the points table, winning nine matches from 13, collecting 18 points. On the other hand, PBKS is ranked sixth with five wins from 13, accumulating 16 points. A win for CSK would end PBKS's run for playoffs, while a victory for the latter would end the former's bid for a top-spot finish.

LIVE SCORECARD: IPL 2021 - CSK vs PBKS

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Team composition
Considering the sides, RCB is slightly stout on its bowling, with tolerable star power. However, its batting has been unstable, relying heavily on skipper Virat Kohli, along with AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

In contrast, CSK is power-packed in its bowling. For its batting, it has been impressive. Although it has lost a couple of games in a row, it would refrain from panicking. At the same time, the focus would come back on top players like Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, and skipper MS Dhoni, while CSK would play the game with all intensity.

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Injury concerns: No side has any injury concerns ahead of this clash.

Head-to-head
The two sides have clashed on 25 instances, with CSK leading 16-9, while in 24 IPL clashes, CSK leads 15-9. Of the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) matches, CSK has a lead of 2-1, while the only game in Dubai saw CSK emerge victorious.

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Weather and pitch report
The Dubai weather would be warm and bright, with an expected temperature of 37 degrees and 45% humidity. The pitch could likely play slow, while the side winning the toss could chase, considering the dew factor.

Probable XI
CSK: MS Dhoni (c), Faf Du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa/N Jagdeeshan (wk), Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar and Josh Hazlewood.
PBKS: KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh.

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Fantasy XI
Batters: Du Plessis, Agarwal, Shahrukh, Gaikwad (vc)- Du Plessis, Agarwal and Gaikwad would dominate the top-order as usual, while Shahrukh could consolidate in the middle. Gaikwad's reliability makes him the deputy captain.
Wicketkeeper: Rahul (c)- He is the only man in form and can give an explosive start, making him the skipper.
All-rounders: Jadeja, Moeen, Allen- Jadeja and Moeen have been delivering with the bat, while Allen has contributed somewhat across departments.
Bowlers: Shami, Arshdeep, Ellis- An all-out pace attack, as the trio has been deadly of late and is sure to deliver.

Match details
Date and day: October 7, 2021 (Thursday)
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
Time: 3.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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