PBKS will face MI in 69th game of the season on 26th May at Jaipur
Match Preview:
When Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched their playoff spot with a win over Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday, finishing in the top two looked like a long shot. But, as always, the IPL delivered its share of twists.
Gujarat Titans (GT) slipped with back-to-back losses, and both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faltered in their penultimate league games. That opened the door for MI. Now, the equation is simple: win on Monday, and they lock in a top-two finish.
For PBKS, the stakes are just as high. After an 11-year wait, they’re back in the playoffs. Win on Monday, and they’ll be the first to secure a top-two spot this season. But the challenge is real — they’ll have just 48 hours to regroup after Saturday’s defeat to DC, where they couldn’t defend 206. Fatigue could be a factor, but having played back-to-back games in Jaipur since the IPL restart, they might benefit from the familiarity of conditions.
This season has been a comeback story for Hardik Pandya. After MI finished at the bottom in 2024 and stumbled early this year, his leadership has turned things around. Rohit Sharma has rediscovered some touch, Suryakumar Yadav has been consistently impactful, and Jasprit Bumrah remains a game-changer since returning from injury. Mitchell Santner has also made a strong impression in his first season with the team.
PBKS have found their spark in Shreyas Iyer, who’s picked up right where he left off with the title-winning Kolkata Knight Riders last year. His batting has led the way, and his backing of a young, predominantly Indian lineup has paid off.
With both sides likely to miss key players heading into the playoffs, Monday’s match carries serious weight. It’s not just about form — it’s about survival. A win means breathing space and momentum. More importantly, it means a top-two finish and the cushion of a second chance in a tournament where one bad night can end everything.
Probable Playing XIIS:
Punjab Kings: 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh, 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Azmatullah Omarzai, 9 Harpreet Brar, 10 Marco Jansen, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Praveen Dubey
Mumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Will Jacks, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Naman Dhir, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Trent Boult, 12 Karn Sharma/Ashwani Kumar
Pitch and weather report:
Seven of the eight innings in the last four games alone have seen a 200-run score breach. When dew favors the chasing side, as it did when DC defeated PBKS on Saturday night, batters have not been scared to hit through the line. Given that evening temperatures are predicted to stay in the mid-30s, the heat may play a role.
Head-to-head record:
In 32 confrontations, the Mumbai Indians have won 17 of them, the Punjab Kings have won 14, and one match has ended in a draw.
Prediction:
MI is favourite to win the game.
Where to watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Afghanistan: ATN
MENA: Cricbuzz
