MI vs PBKS: Latest Team News and Facts

Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings, September 28 2021, 7:30 IST

Team News:

Mumbai Indians

Injured/Unavailable: Hardik Pandya has returned to the side even as he didn’t bowl against Royal Challengers Bangalore. No one in the XI from the previous game is likely to be unavailable.

Matchups/Tactics: Even as Mumbai Indians have been hesitant to use too many of Jasprit Bumrah’s overs upfront, there might be a good reason for them to do so against Punjab. The pacer has dismissed Mayank Agarwal 3 times in 14 balls, and conceded only 6 runs.

There are also enough reasons for Mumbai Indians to consider including Dhawal Kulkarni in the side. He has dismissed KL Rahul four times and Chris Gayle thrice. So basically, MI must try to attack with the pacers in the beginning itself.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

Punjab Kings

Injured/unavailable: All players are fit and available. Even as Nathan Ellis bowled well in the death in the previous game, there’s a possibility to include Chris Jordan on a bigger ground in Abu Dhabi. Most likely though, Punjab Kings are expected to retain their XI.

Matchups/tactics: The in-form Mohammed Shami might be held up to be used late against the out of form Pandya brothers. The pacer has dismissed both Krunal and Hardik thrice, in 15 and 13 balls respectively.

Probable XI: KL Rahul (c/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh

Interesting Stats:

• Punjab Kings would prefer to chase for more reasons than one. They have four of the five lowest totals registered batting first this year.
• Mumbai Indians are on a three-match losing streak. The last time they had lost four successive matches was in 2015. They ended up winning the tournament then.

What the captains said about the previous matches:

MI Captain Rohit Sharma: “That’s been happening consistently (losing their way with the bat). I’ve had a good chat with the batters. Those who are in, need to carry on.

They (RCB bowlers) kept the pressure on us once a couple of wickets fell. We need to bounce back from whatever situation we’re in. We’ve done that in the past, it’s just not happening this season.” – after the loss against RCB.

PBKS Captain KL Rahul: “He (Harpreet Singh) has been good for us, he can do everything. He has finished some games for us with the bat, gives us control with the ball and is also great in the field.

Every time I go to him, he tells me ‘Paaji (Brother) don’t worry, I won’t leak runs’. That’s his attitude.” – on their find of the season.