IPL 2024, PBKS vs MI: Decoding the key player battles
Match 33 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) sees the battle between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. Chandigarh's Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will host this duel on April 18. Both sides have fared poorly this season, winning just two of their first six matches apiece. They must return to winning ways sooner than later. Let's decode the key player battles.
Rohit Sharma vs Arshdeep Singh
Rohit Sharma and Arshdeep Singh open the proceedings in their respective departments. Arshdeep has had success against Rohit in the past, dismissing him once in the 15 deliveries he has bowled to him in IPL. As per ESPNcricicnfo, four of Arshdeep's nine wickets this season have come in the powerplay. In IPL 2024, Rohit's strike rate in powerplay reads 177.27.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Harpreet Brar
Suryakumar Yadav, who has bagged two ducks this season, would be eager to make a mark. He would be up against the left-arm spin of Harpreet Brar in the middle overs. Since 2020, SKY has fallen prey to left-arm spinners 11 times in 53 IPL innings, striking at just 106.93. Harpreet has scalped four wickets this season at an economy of 7.20.
Shikhar Dhawan vs Jasprit Bumrah
PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who was dismissed cheaply in his last two outings, is among the leading run-getters in IPL history. His face-off with MI pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would be enticing. Though the pacer has dismissed the southpaw just once across 13 IPL meetings, Dhawan has a strike rate of just 120.68 in this battle.
Liam Livingstone vs Shreyas Gopal
MI must be aware of the damage Liam Livingstone can inflict. The England dasher has already played some handy cameos this year. Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who operates in the middle overs, would look to keep him quiet. Notably, Livingstone has been dismissed by leggies sevn times in just 19 IPL meetings. His strike rate comes down to 112.90 against them.
