IPL 2021: PBKS v MI Match Preview & Probable XIs

PBKS V MI – HEAD TO HEAD : 26 MATCHES

PBKS WON : 12, MI WON : 14

Punjab Kings will take on Mumbai Indians on Friday, 23^rd April in Chennai. Punjab Kings have lost their last 3 games and are desperately looking for a win. Mumbai Indians have blown hot and cold, having won 2 of their 4 games.

PBKS are yet to find their ideal playing XI. They have made several changes and still aren’t sure of their perfect combination. They looked out of sorts and couldn’t adapt to the conditions at Chepauk in their previous match against SRH as they were handed a heavy defeat. They were bundled out for just 120 runs and their bowlers also looked clueless. There is work to do for Punjab in both the departments and it will be a challenge for KL Rahul to field the perfect playing XI in these conditions.

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have provided some good starts but the middle order hasn’t been able to capitalize on it. Chris Gayle has looked in good touch but the big scores are still missing. Nicholas Pooran is going through a nightmare. He has registered 3 ducks in 4 innings, with the highest score of just 9. In two of the games, he had to slog from the ball one and got run-out in the other. It might not be a good idea to judge his form looking at these scores. He is expected to get a longer run. Their new recruit Shahrukh Khan has been good. He has powered Punjab to respectable totals with his quick fire knocks down the order.

Mumbai Indians’ middle order was their biggest strength in the previous season. It hasn’t been the case this time around. Pandya brothers and Keiron Pollard have struggled on the dry and sluggish Chennai surface and it has affected MI’s chances. MI would want their power hitters to deliver and capitalize on the starts provided by their top order.

Mumbai’s bowling has been spot on. They are probably the best bowling attack this season. Trent Boult has been fantastic both at the start and death. Jasprit Bumrah is doing what is expected of him. Rahul Chahar has been delivering with crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs which is making the life of other teams difficult. Jayant Yadav looked good in the previous game. MI will pitch him against Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran and this can prove out to be an exciting battle in today’s encounter.

Expect another low scoring encounter. MI have a fair idea of conditions at Chepauk and would like to finish their Chennai leg on a winning note. PBKS need to adapt to these conditions as quickly as possible to stand a chance against the defending champions.

Mumbai Indians would like to stick with the same combination. Punjab could bring in their previous season’s find Ravi Bishnoi in place of Murugan Ashwin. It is quite surprising that he hasn’t got a game till now.

PBKS v MI Probable XIs :

PBKS :  KL Rahul (C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Shahrukh Khan, Fabian Allen, M Ashwin/Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

MI : Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult