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PBKS have suffered three comprehensive defeats following the narrow win in their tournament opener. Meanwhile, MI have won two out of their four games and are coming off a loss to the Delhi Capitals (DC) in which the defending champions' middle-order came unstuck against the trickery and guile of leg-spinner Amit Mishra.
PBKS' bowlers have had an ordinary outing, but it's their inconsistent performances with the bat that have compounded their woes. While captain KL Rahul is expected to be aggressive and anchor the innings, at the same time, the fact remains that his dismissals tend to leave the team exposed.
Considering their propensity to chop and change, it won't be a surprise if Dawid Malan makes the playing XI for this game, as his presence could allow Rahul to play with a bit more freedom at the top. While PBKS will look to adapt to the conditions at the Chepauk better, they'll also look to exploit MI middle order's struggles at this venue.
Interestingly, both teams have batted first in all four games they have played this season, so it'll be interesting to see how either team fares in a chase. While MI undoubtedly enter the game as the favourites, PBKS are more than capable of springing a surprise.
It should be a warm and clear evening in Chennai, with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Dew should play a role in the second innings
PBKS could consider bringing in the top-ranked T20I batsman Dawid Malan into their XI.
He could shore up their top order and allow Rahul to tee off in the powerplay. The impressive Ravi Bishnoi could come in as well. Jhye Richardson, with his vast repertoire of cutters and variations, has a case to return to the XI, although Moises Henriques is likely to get another opportunity.
MI should stick with the same playing XI for this game and execute their plans better against PBKS. Jayant Yadav put in a solid shift against DC and will look to get the better of the likes of Gayle in this match.