PBKS vs CSK LIVE Score, IPL 2021: MS Dhoni takes on KL Rahul - Dream11 fantasy predicted XI, H2H record, key players, where to watch today's IPL match?

Welcome to Sportstar's LIVE coverage of IPL 2021, Match 8 between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings. This is Santadeep Dey bringing you all the action as it unfurls at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

[PBKS vs CSK, IPL 2021, MATCH 8 LIVE SCORECARD]

LIVE COMMENTARY

Stay tuned! The toss is scheduled to take place at 7 pm IST.

MATCH PREVIEW

Having earned a win in a last-ball thriller, something that K.L. Rahul’s outfit failed to do consistently in the latter half of IPL 2020, Punjab Kings will return to Wankhede Stadium as a much more confident unit against Chennai Super Kings on Friday.

The Super Kings will be keen on getting their act together to open the account. The side needs to get the combination right to attain the desired results. But Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men will be far from fielding the ideal combination, with pace duo of Lungi Ngidi and Jason Behrendorff missing out due to mandatory quarantine period after travel.

READ | IPL 2021: Taking Dhoni's wicket was a dream come true for me- Avesh

It will be interesting to see if the Super Kings accommodate Imran Tahir, the veteran leggie, to bolster the bowling department. The lack of wicket-taking options, especially with the dew at the Wankhede Stadium making life difficult for finger spinners, was one of the vital aspects of CSK’s inability to defend a total of 188 in its opener against Delhi Capitals.

Punjab Kings, despite starting the tournament with a narrow win against Rajasthan Royals, will be hoping that its new signings - Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith - will adapt to bowling with a wet ball after conceding 104 runs off their eight overs combined.

- Amol Karhadkar

PREDICTED XI

PBKS: KL Rahul (c/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

The two teams have played against each 24 times in the IPL. While CSK has won 15 games, PBKS has emerged victorious on nine occasions.

CSK has won four of the last five matches played between the two teams in the league.

TOP PERFORMERS IN THIS FIXTURE

STARS FROM LAST SEASON

PBKS vs CSK DREAM11 FANTASY TEAM PICKS

Sportstar's fantasy cricket predictions and tips for today's IPL match - PBKS vs CSK

Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul (10.5 credits), Nicholas Pooran (9 credits)

Batsmen: Chris Gayle (9.5 credits), Faf du Plessis (9.5 credits), Ambati Rayudu (9 credits)

All-rounders: Moeen Ali (C) (8.5 credits), Sam Curran (VC) (9 credits), Ravindra Jadeja (9 credits)

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami (9 credits), Shardul Thakur (8.5 credits), Arshdeep Singh (8.5 credits)

STAT ATTACK - IPL 2021

• MOST RUNS (Orange Cap) - Nitish Rana (KKR)
• MOST WICKETS (Purple Cap) - Harshal Patel (RCB)
• MOST FOURS - Nitish Rana (KKR)
• MOST SIXES - Sanju Samson (RR)
• MOST MAIDENS - Mohammed Siraj (RCB)
• MOST DOT BALLS - Mohammed Siraj (RCB)
• MOST FIFTIES - Nitish Rana (KKR)
• MOST CENTURIES - Sanju Samson (RR)
• BEST BOWLING AVERAGE - Jaydev Unadkat (RR)
• BEST ECONOMY - Jaydev Unadkat (RR)

SQUADS

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Sam Curran, R Sai Kishore, Moeen Ali, K Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishaanth

Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Prabsimran Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Porel, Darshan Nalkande, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Shahrukh Khan, Riley Meredith, Moises Henriques, Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar

AT WHAT TIME DOES TODAY'S IPL 2021 MATCH - PBKS vs CSK START?

The IPL 2021 Match 8 between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings begins at 7:30 PM IST.

WHERE TO WATCH TODAY'S IPL MATCH - PBKS vs CSK LIVE?

IPL 2021 will be aired live on Star Sports channels - Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 3 and Star Sports 3 HD. It will also be streamed live on Disney+Hotstar. You can also follow the live commentary and latest updates from IPL 2021 on Sportstar.