IPL 2021, Match 21: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (PBKS vs KKR) – KKR Predicted Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will now play against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad) this Monday (26th April) night during the 21st match of the IPL 2021.

KKR started this IPL 2021 with a win against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). But then, they have already lost four straight games against Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

IPL 2021, Match 21: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (PBKS vs KKR) ??? KKR Predicted Playing XI

Nitish Rana

Opener Nitish Rana scored two fifties in the first two matches of the IPL 2021 (80 and 57 runs) but then his scores were 18, 9 and 22 runs respectively. He has to provide strong starts for KKR which can help the middle-order batting line-up to come out in their proper shape.

Tim Seifert

While the opener Shubman Gill has struggled in the early moment of the IPL 2021, we can see some changes in the playing XI for short time. New Zealand cricketer Tim Seifert can be another opening option for the KKR. However, his recent form wasn’t strong enough.

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi started this IPL 2021 with the knock of 53 runs. Then his scores were 5, 25, 8 and 36 runs respectively. He has got some good starts in recent times but he now has to convert his starts into the big scores.

Eoin Morgan (C)

Captain Eoin Morgan is hugely struggling with the bat nowadays. Apart from scoring 29 runs in his third match of the IPL 2021, his other scores in this tournament are 2, 7, 7, and a diamond duck in the last game. Skipper Morgan must have to perform well to inspire the KKR in this tough period. Also, he is now underpressure as a captain due to team’s continuous struggle.

Dinesh Karthik (wk)

Former KKR captain Dinesh Karthik started this IPL 2021 with the knock of 22 not out off just 9 balls. He also scored 40 runs off 24 balls in the very crucial moment against CSK, when their top-order batsmen were dismissed very early. In the last game, Karthik scored another crucial 25 runs before losing his important wicket.

Andre Russell

Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell picked a fifer in his second match of the IPL 2021 against the defending champions Mumbai Indians. Against CSK, when the entire KKR batting was shaken, Russell smashed 54 off just 22 balls before he misjudged Sam Curran’s delivery and get bowled. Before that match, Russell also scored 31 off 20 balls against RCB. He is good touch with the bat which can be a luck-changer for KKR if other players provide solid support to him.

Pat Cummins

Australian cricketer Pat Cummins hasn’t much impressed with the ball in this IPL 2021 yet as he has taken 4 wickets in five games. However, during the match against CSK, he stunned everyone with his powerful fighting knock of 66 not out off just 34 balls as his batting could secure the unbelievable win for the team if the other lower-order batters managed to provide proper support to him. KKR are now hoping for his better bowling form in the new venue of this tournament at Ahmedabad.

Varun Chakravarthy

The leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is now slowly returning to his own shape as he has got 6 wickets in five matches of this IPL 2021. He is now playing the main spinner role for the KKR and he is ready to carry this responsibility on his shoulder.

Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna was in good form with the ball during the recent home ODI series against England. The right-arm pacer has taken 5 wickets in five games of this IPL 2021. Surely, he can do better for the KKR in this IPL.

Shivam Mavi

In their last game, Shivam Mavi played his first match of the IPL 2021 where he had bowling figures of 4-0-19-1. Earlier, in domestic cricket, Mavi wasn’t consistent enough with the ball, but he was doing much better in the latter tournament, Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is now facing a very tough time as he is even not getting regular matches. He hasn’t played a match in this IPL 2021 yet. However, KKR now can give him a fresh chance to him which Kuldeep has to grab as a big opportunity.