Punjab Kings will face Mumbai Indians in Dharamshala on Thursday. This match is being considered as do or die for Punjab. If the team wins, it can reach the third position in the points table, but if it loses, teams like Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals can leave it behind.

Bowling is a big weakness of Punjab
Punjab’s biggest problem at this time became its bowling and poor fielding. In the initial matches, the batsmen led the team to consecutive wins, but now the form of the key batsmen has started declining. The bowlers are continuously giving away runs in the death overs.

Punjab’s batting is strong
Interestingly, Punjab holds the record for the highest number of successful chases of more than 200 runs in T20 cricket. The team has done this 10 times. But on the other hand, he also has the record of most failures in defending more than 200 scores. Punjab has failed to save 200+ scores nine times so far.

Fielding is also increasing the team’s worries. This season, Punjab has given up the maximum of 18 catches. Shashank Singh alone has dropped five catches, the most by any player this season.

Punjab’s bowling has been very weak in the death overs. During four consecutive defeats, the team has given runs at an economy of 14 in the last overs. There were eight bowlers who gave away runs with an economy of more than 10. The team is constantly changing the bowling combination, but is unable to find a solution.

Mumbai Indians out of playoff race
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are out of the race for the playoffs. The team has only six points in 11 matches. However, now there is no pressure on Mumbai and this can become a threat to Punjab.

Arshdeep Singh’s role will be very important for Punjab. This season he has been seen performing sometimes well and sometimes poorly. The pitch of Dharamshala is considered helpful for fast bowlers, hence Punjab will have high expectations from them.

Rohit Sharma is in great form for Mumbai. After returning from injury, he has scored 243 runs in six matches and his strike rate has been more than 177. Rohit has looked very aggressive against fast bowlers, which may increase Punjab’s problems.

In the last match in Dharamshala, all 39 overs were bowled by fast bowlers. The spinners did not get a single over. In such a situation, the role of fast bowlers is going to be decisive in this match also.