MI Vs PBKS, Match Preview
Both sides are struggling, and time is running out for them. They are on eight points, along with two other teams, and a win can help them escape the mid-table traffic. Last time there was a MI Vs PBKS match in the UAE, the game provided immense entertainment. Rahul played a magnificent knock, Bumrah and Shami did well in the death, and there was two super overs.
Both sides are in a same situation now, struggling for points. Mumbai Indian’s batters haven’t come to the party yet. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are struggling for consistency, and Yadav has been out in the single-digits a lot this season. The Pandya batters are also struggling this season. Krunal Pandya has been lose, and Hardik’s workload is a concern.
PBKS has a balance side, but they have made mistakes with their selection. They left Chris Gayle out in the first game of the second leg, and didn’t use Ravi Bishnoi much early in the season. The batting is still reliant on the top-order. Shami and Arshdeep are doing well with the pace attack, but PBKS still hasn’t brought Shah Rukh Khan into the second leg.
MI Vs PBKS, Team News
Hardik Pandya came back into the side against Bangalore, but didn’t do much through the game. He was out early, and didn’t bowl, with his workload still under management. His bowling is crucial for India, and it is important for him to return to bowling. He could be bowling a few overs later in the series, but if he doesn’t Mumbai may look for other options.
PBKS has a fit side, and will probably stick to the same eleven. The players are doing a fair job, and the bowling is looking good.
MI Vs PBKS, Predicted XIs
Mumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Adam Milne/Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Trent Boult
Punjab Kings: 1 KL Rahul (capt, wk), 2 Mayank Agarwal, 3 Chris Gayle, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Deepak Hooda, 7 Harpreet Brar, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Nathan Ellis/Chris Jordan, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mohammed Shami
MI Vs PBKS
Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard has been one of the few players in the Mumbai side who look dangerous. In a team full of six-hitters, he is the one who looks the most dangerous at the moment. He is in good form, and has one Mumbai a few games on his own this season. Pollard is a kind of player who thrives when there’s responsibility on him. With the side not doing well, he is likely to stand up and push Mumbai out of the hole they are currently in.
KL Rahul
The Mumbai bowling attack is very good. They have a strong pace arsenal that keeps coming at the batters, and to counter such an attack the class of Rahul will have to come in handy. He has played some wonderful knocks against Mumbai, and his match-up against Bumrah is going to be crucial.
MI Vs PBKS, Pitch and Conditions
The Abu Dhabi surface under lights has helped the bowlers. There is decent turn and bounce, and the ball is stopping on the surface occasionally. The batters get some help because of the bounce, but batting first could be better with the surface slower than last season.
