IPL 2025 Qualifier-2: Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings – Battle to reach the final today in Ahmedabad

The Qualifier 2 match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is scheduled for today, June 1, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, starting at 7:30 PM IST. The winner of this high-stakes encounter will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final on June 3.

Match Significance

This match is a do-or-die situation for both teams. Mumbai Indians secured their spot in Qualifier 2 by defeating Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator, while Punjab Kings are looking to bounce back after a loss to RCB in Qualifier 1. Notably, this is the first time these two teams are meeting in the playoffs.

Head-to-Head Record

In IPL history, MI and PBKS have faced each other 33 times, with Mumbai winning 17 matches and Punjab 16. Earlier this season, PBKS defeated MI by 7 wickets.

Pitch Report

The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is known for being batting-friendly, with an average first-innings score around 200. Pacers may find some assistance early on, but as the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play. Dew is expected in the second innings, which could influence the decision at the toss.

Weather Forecast

The weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures ranging between 28°C and 38°C. There is only a 2% chance of rain, so a full match is anticipated.

Possible Playing XIs

Punjab Kings (PBKS): Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Praveen Dubey, Kyle Jamieson, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact Substitute: Musheer Khan.

Mumbai Indians (MI): Hardik Pandya (captain), Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson.

Key Players

For Mumbai Indians:

• Suryakumar Yadav: Leading run-scorer for MI this season with 673 runs in 15 matches.
• Rohit Sharma: Scored a crucial 81 runs in the last match and reached the milestone of 300 IPL sixes.
• Jasprit Bumrah: Has taken 21 wickets in 15 matches, providing MI with vital breakthroughs.

For Punjab Kings:

• Shreyas Iyer: The captain will be eager to lead from the front after a low score in the previous match.
• Prabhsimran Singh: A consistent performer with 517 runs at a strike rate of 167.83.
• Arshdeep Singh: Leading wicket-taker for PBKS with 18 wickets in 15 matches.
• Yuzvendra Chahal: Expected to return from injury, adding strength to the spin department.

Match Strategy

Both teams boast strong batting line-ups, but MI’s bowling attack, led by Bumrah and Boult, could give them an edge. PBKS will rely on their batting prowess and hope for impactful performances from their bowlers to counter MI’s strengths.

Conclusion

This Qualifier 2 match is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the IPL 2025 final. While MI’s experience in high-pressure games might give them a slight advantage, PBKS’s determination and talent make them formidable opponents. Fans can look forward to an exciting game of cricket.