IPL 2024: Can MI return to winning ways against PBKS?
Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians seek a turnaround in their fortunes as they lock horns in Match 33 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). As both sides have just two wins in six games so far, they must bounce back sooner than later. However, both these teams have played some entertaining cricket this year. Here we look at the match preview.
Key details about the match
Chandigarh's Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will host this duel on April 18. PBKS have been a part of several high-scoring games at this venue this season. The batters got great value for their shots, though there has been assistance for pacers early on. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on JioCinema (7:30pm IST).
A look at the head-to-head record
Though MI boast five IPL trophies and PBKS are eyeing their maiden one, the head-to-head cannot separate the two teams much. MI have claimed 16 wins in 31 games against the Kings. The remaining 15 games went in PBKS's favor. The Mohali-based team has clinched four of their last six matches against MI.
A high-scoring contest on the cards
MI boast arguably the most destructive batting line-up in IPL 2024 and most of their batters have even delivered. However, the in-form Jasprit Bumrah has not received the required support from other bowlers. Meanwhile, PBKS have not made the best use of their resources. Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma's late hitting headlined their recent outings.
Here are the probable XIs:
MI (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Shreyas Gopal, Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal. Impact sub: Suryakumar Yadav. PBKS (Probable XI): Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Sam Curran (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada. Impact sub: Rahul Chahar.
A look at the star performers
Ashutosh Sharma has hammered 95 runs this season at a strike rate of 197.92. Rohit Sharma slammed a brilliant hundred in his last outing (105 off 63 balls against CSK). Bumrah has scalped 10 wickets in IPL 2024 at a stellar economy rate of 6.08. PBKS pacers Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh have scalped nine wickets apiece this year.
