IPL 2023: MI Vs PBKS - Can MI Continue Winning Streak Or Will PBKS Spring A Surprise On The Wankhede Pitch?

Preview of Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings Performances this Season

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face each other at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the 31st game of IPL 2023. MI has won three of its five games and is coming into the game after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous game. In contrast, PBKS has won three out of six games and is currently in seventh place on the points table. While MI seems to have got their mojo back after three consecutive wins, PBKS has lost its way after a fine start, and there are concerns about their dependence on Shikhar Dhawan in the batting department.

Introduction to the Match between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings

 

Mumbai Indians get their mojo back as they take on Punjab Kings

MI's campaign is back on track after three consecutive wins, and their key players are performing well. Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green, Tim David, Riley Meredith, Jason Behrendorff, Piyush Chawla, and even rookie Arjun Tendulkar are all contributing to the team's success. Despite Rohit Sharma's lack of form, he has been providing blazing starts with the bat, and the rest of the team is able to exploit that. MI is likely to go in with the same playing XI, which has performed well in the last three games.

 

Punjab Kings Face Uncertainty with Dependence on Captain Dhawan

In contrast, the Punjab Kings started the season strong, winning their first two games, but have since struggled, winning only one of their last four. They now risk becoming the perennial underachievers of the IPL. The team's dependence on captain Shikhar Dhawan in the batting department is a concern, as former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has pointed out. While relying on one player can win a few matches, it is unlikely to secure a tournament win. If they want to move forward, the remaining Punjab players need to enhance their performance and assist their captain.

 

The Kings have quality batsman Matthew Short on their team, but they will need Liam Livingstone to perform in the middle overs and hope that Kagiso Rabada will be fit for their upcoming match against Mumbai Indians. Rabada reportedly missed the team's last game due to illness but is expected to be available for this match.

 

Analysis of the Pitch and Conditions for the Match

It is anticipated that the cricket pitch will offer great assistance to the batters, with an average of 164 runs scored during the first innings in the previous five T20 games. The team that has chased the target has emerged victorious in the past five matches played here, suggesting that the captain who wins the toss may opt to bowl first. The presence of dew on the pitch may also influence the toss decision. At the beginning of the season, the pitch and the size of the ground favored the batters.

 

Probable Playing XI for both Teams

The likely line-up for MI in the upcoming match consists of Rohit Sharma as the captain, followed by Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Arjun Tendulkar, Hrithik Shokeen, Nehal Wadhera, Piyush Chawla, and Jason Behrendoff.

 

PBKS is expected to play with Atharva Taide, Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Sam Curran as captain, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis or Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Rahul Chahar in their probable playing XI for the upcoming match.

 

Probable Best Performers

Cameron Green: Mumbai spent INR 17.50 crore to sign the Australia international in the IPL auction. Green showed his class in the last match and can wreak havoc on the Wankhede pitch, which is expected to nicely come to the bat.

 

Liam Livingstone: Livingstone made his long-awaited 2023 IPL debut for PBKS earlier this week. He didn't shine with the bat or ball, but he is one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket and could be key to their efforts here. However, he is returning from injury.

 

Piyush Chawla: Chawla has been performing exceptionally well this season, having already taken seven wickets in five matches. This makes him a potential threat to PBKS batters, who haven't been in top form lately.

 

Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer has taken six wickets in six games this season, and his ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs makes him a crucial player for PBKS.

 

Match Prediction: PBKS to Win

Punjab Kings are expected to win the match despite facing several concerns, including player injuries and form. The home team, Mumbai Indians, has their key players in great form and the advantage of playing on their home ground. However, with an inconsistent batting lineup, Punjab Kings are at a disadvantage coming into this game. Nevertheless, with the unpredictability of Mumbai’s batting this season, Punjab’s bowlers could take them down. Meanwhile, Punjab’s batsmen possess the potential to upset any team on their day.

 

Please note that the prediction provided is solely the opinion of the author, based on their analysis and understanding of the situation. We encourage you to consider the information provided and make your own informed decision when making your prediction.

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