IPL 2021: Punjab Kings win toss and opt to field, Mayank Agarwal, Shahrukh Khan return

Match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) win the toss and opt to field first against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

Punjab Kings will be without their West Indian star Chris Gayle for the rest of the tournament while the Knight Riders handed Tim Seifert his cap and replace Lockie Ferguson.

The KL Rahul-led side has made three changes - Fabian Allen is in. Mayank replaces Mandeep and Shahrukh Khan is in. KKR's other change is Shivam Mavi replacing Sandeep Warrier.

Squads:

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan(c), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w), Tim Seifert, Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Tim Southee, Varun Chakaravarthy

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

Toss Update from Dubai @PunjabKingsIPL have elected to bowl against @KKRiders. #VIVOIPL #KKRvPBKS

Follow the match  https://t.co/lUTQhNzjsM pic.twitter.com/gOGUHuZ6AM

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 1, 2021

The KKR side have made a smashing return in the second half of the 2021 edition winning three of their four games and look the best contender for finishing in the fourth spot as the top three almost look settled.

As for Punjab Kings, they, on the other hand, have had an inconsistent run in the second half similar to their first half as they have won one out of their three games and lost two and with just four wins in 11 games, they now not just have to win all their remaining games but also depend on the results of a few games.