IPL 2021 has started with a bang as teams have put up strong performances. On April 16 (Friday), MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chennai have lost their opening encounter against Delhi Capitals and will be desperate to bounce back while Punjab will be high on confidence after a nail-biting win against Rajasthan Royals.

Meanwhile, Punjab camp would hope for more of plain sailing when they take on Chennai Super Kings in their second fixture in the furnace of Wankhede. They would be hoping for their Australian recruits – Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith – to improve on their below par show in the opening game. Even though the conditions favoured the batsmen at the Wankhede, Richardson and Meredith were guilty of bowling quite a few of their deliveries in the slot. The batting comprising KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle looked good and will hope to keep up the good job.

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings’ form of late hasn’t exactly been great. The franchise also began IPL 2021 on a shaky note, losing to Delhi Capitals. More importantly, on a typical Wankhede surface, offering even bounce, CSK seemed to be lacking a pace-enforcer. Despite Suresh Raina returning to the CSK set-up with an aggressive hand, the Chennai camp would be a tad concerned about their top-order woes as well.

IPl 2021: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from 7:30 PM IST

Match Prediction – Who will win the match?

Although Chennai Super Kings find them on the wrong foot, the three-time IPL champions have had a better record against Punjab Kings. They have won 14 games in 23 encounters with six of those coming from last eight matches.

It will be interesting to see if MS Dhoni & Co manages to keep up the tempo against Punjab. However, the KL Rahul-side will start as the favorites to make it two out of two in IPL 2021.