Samira Vishwas
Tezzbuzz|01-06-2025
After months of intense cricketing action, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is in its final stretch. In a high-stakes showdown, Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium. The winner of the contest will secure a place in the final, while the loser will be knocked out.
The five-time title holders, Mumbai, are the most experienced side in the playoffs when it comes to handling high-pressure games. They head into Qualifier 2 with boosted confidence after a thrilling win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Eliminator. The inclusion of Jonny Bairstow has added further firepower to an already formidable batting lineup. On the bowling front, Trent Boult and Jasprit bumrah have been phenomenal, consistently picking up wickets at crucial moments.
PBKS, a side chasing their maiden IPL title, have been a formidable force this season. However, they had a forgettable outing in Qualifier 1 despite finishing at the top of the points table. They’ll be eager to bounce back and rectify their shortcomings in the crucial clash against MI. Their batting has shown resilience, with a blend of experienced players and young talent, while their bowling led by Arshdeep Singhhas spearheaded the attack impressively, keeping opposition batters in check with sharp lines and clever variations.
Matches Played: 32 | PBKS WON: 15 | MI won: 17 | No results: 00
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad offers a well-balanced pitch that favors both batsmen and bowlers. Early in the match, fast bowlers can get some movement off the surface, making the initial overs crucial for taking wickets. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down slightly, giving spinners an opportunity to make an impact in the middle overs. Although its a good batting surface, the outfield is fast, allowing batsmen to score quickly, but the large boundaries demand well-timed shots. Teams often prefer to chase after winning the toss due to dew making conditions easier for batting in the second innings. Adaptability is key here.
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Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Asgini MarRichard Gleeson
Punjab Kings: Nehal Wadhera, Harnor Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Musher Khan, Pyla Avinash, Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Praveen Dubey, Priyansh Arya, Azmatullah Omrazi, Aaron Hardie, Harpreet BRAR, Suryansh SHDGE, Shashank Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Kuldeep Sen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yashl Own, Kley Jamieson.
Mumbai Indians:
Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Bevon Jacobs, Robin Minz, Krishnan Shrijith, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Arjun Tendulkar, Ashwani Kumar, reece toley, Karn Sharma, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Satyanarayana Raju, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Raghu Sharma, Jonny Bairshstow, Richard Gleeson, Charith Asalanka.