Dawid Malan to play PBKS vs MI IPL 2021 Match 17? Here's Punjab Kings' 4 likely overseas picks

PBKS vs MI IPL 2021 Match 17: After winning a close game against Rajasthan Royals in their first match of the IPL 2021 season, things have not worked in the right manner for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). The KL Rahul-led team suffered 3 big losses in a row at the hands of Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Punjab Kings will be playing their 5^th match of the season today against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

PBKS vs MI IPL 2021: Dawid Malan or Nicholas Pooran?

Punjab Kings’ swashbuckling batsman Nicholas Pooran is yet to find his mojo in the ongoing edition of the IPL having recorded 3 ducks in his last four outings. Pooran had a fabulous season for Punjab last year in the UAE where he smashed a total of 353 runs at an explosive strike-rate of 169.71 but this season his poor form has become a major worry for the side. Therefore, he is likely to make way for Dawid Malan in the playing XI for today’s game against Mumbai Indians.

The Punjab Kings bought the No.1 T20I batsman, Dawid Malan, at the IPL 2021 auction at the worth of INR 1.5 crores. In 24 T20Is, the English left-hander has scored 1003 runs at an impressive average of 50.15 and a strike-rate of 144.32 that includes 10 fifties. Malan also smashed a wonderful innings of 68 runs off 46 balls against India in the fifth T20I match in Ahmedabad.

Therefore, Punjab Kings are likely to go in with Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Moises Henriques and Fabian Allen as their four overseas picks for today’s match against MI. The Punjab team management would also be inclined to try Ravi Bishnoi on this slow Chepauk wicket as he was their second highest wicket-taker and the most economical bowler in the last season of the IPL.

Punjab Kings Likely Playing 11

KL Rahul (C & wk)
Mayank Agarwal
Chris Gayle
Dawid Malan
Deepak Hooda
Shahrukh Khan
Moises Henriques
Fabian Allen
Mohammed Shami
Murugan Ashwin
Arshdeep Singh