IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra picks his Punjab Kings’ starting XI

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will open their 2021 IPL campaign against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side on 12th April 2021. And now, ahead of the 14th edition of the IPL, cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has predicted his ideal playing XI for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) outfit.

Aakash Chopra felt that KL Rahul and West Indian batting legend Chris Gayle should open the batting for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). While Chopra wanted Mayank Agarwal to walk in at No.3, he wants Nicholas Pooran and Deepak Hooda to occupy the No.4 and No.5 slots for Punjab.

Chopra also felt that Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques should find a place in the Punjab side as he will provide the balance that is needed. According to Chopra, the KL Rahul-led side could play one of Shahrukh Khan, Mandeep Singh, or Sarfaraz Khan at No.7. The former Indian cricketer also felt that with such a strong batting lineup, the Punjab side should play with a lot of freedom.

“I will be going with KL Rahul and Gayle as the openers, Mayank Agarwal at No.3, Pooran at No.4, Hooda at No.5, and Moises Henriques at No.6. You should please play Henriques as he will add that balance to your side. At No.7, you can have anyone. You can play Shahrukh, Mandeep or Sarfaraz – whoever you play it won’t make any difference. But if you have this kind of batting, you can play with a lot of freedom, something that they should do this season,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra picks Punjab Kings’ bowling attack

Aakash Chopra also picked the ideal bowling attack that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) should field as well. According to Chopra, the four bowlers that Punjab should play are Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, and Jhye Richardson. Chopra finally concluded by stating that if the Punjab side wants to play an extra pacer, then they can draft Arshdeep Singh into the side.

“Then four bowlers – Ashwin, Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, and Jhye Richardson. This will be my team, if you feel that you need to play one less spinner, you have Arshdeep as an option available,” concluded Chopra.

Aakash Chopra’s Predicted playing XI

KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Shahrukh Khan/Mandeep Singh/Sarfaraz Khan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Jhye Richardson