PBKS vs MI Match Prediction: IPL 2024 Match 33, Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match?

PBKS vs MI Match Prediction: Mumbai Indians (MI) will be under immense pressure to turn their season around when they play Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. MI lost their last match against perennial rival Chennai Super Kings, while PBKS are heading into this game on the back of two straight defeats against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) respectively.

Match Preview:

Losing the high-profile match against Chennai Super Kings has put Hardik Pandya under even more pressure. His team is reeling at the wrong end of the table, second from the bottom, having won just twice in the first six games. MI will have only seven games remaining after this match, so the margin for error is slim for Hardik Pandya if he wants to lead the 5-time IPL champions into the playoffs.

Also Read: PBKS vs MI Dream11 Prediction – Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing 11, Pitch Report

If Mumbai Indians want to finish in the top four, then immediate improvement is needed in both departments. The team lacks a consistent contributor beyond Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya himself is struggling to perform with both bat and ball.

For Punjab Kings, the injury to Shikhar Dhawan has come at the worst possible time. They were already short of an out-and-out international batter, and Dhawan’s absence might expose the team’s batting even more. The bowling unit is also short of a quality international spinner, as Harpreet Brar is struggling to perform on a more consistent basis.

PBKS vs MI Match Details

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The teams batting in the 2nd innings have won two of the three matches that have been played at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in IPL 2024 season. PBKS successfully chased down Delhi Capitals’ 174/9 run target in 19.2 overs in the first match, while Royals also won while chasing Punjab’s 147/8. The only team defending the target was SRH, when they bettered Punjab by just two runs.

Expect runs here. The team batting first will have a genuine chance to win the match only if the score is bigger than 180 runs.

PBKS vs MI Head-To-Head Record

This will be the 32nd meeting between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Both teams have enjoyed good days against each other, winning matches. PBKS clocked wins in those 31 meetings against MI, while the Mumbai outfit won 16 times against their counterparts.

Sam Curran is likely to be PBKS captain in Shikhar Dhawan’s absence

PBKS vs MI Predicted Playing 11:

Punjab Kings Predicted Lineup:
Atharva Taide
Jonny Bairstow
Prabhsimran Singh
Sam Curran (C)
Jitesh Sharma (WK)
Shashank Singh
Liam Livingstone
Harpreet Brar
Harshal Patel
Arshdeep Singh
Kagiso Rabada
Ashutosh Sharma (IMPACT PLAYER)

Mumbai Indians Predicted Lineup:
Rohit Sharma
Ishan Kishan (WK)
Suryakumar Yadav
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya (C)
Tim David
Romario Shepherd
Mohammad Nabi
Shreyas Iyer
Jasprit Bumrah
Gerald Coetzee
Akash Madhwal (IMPACT PLAYER)

PBKS vs MI Match Prediction: Best Batters And Bowlers

PBKS Probable highest scorer: Jonny Bairstow or Shashank Singh

With Shikhar Dhawan likely to miss this huge clash against Mumbai Indians, the onus of scoring will fall on the shoulders of Jonny Bairstow and Shashank Singh. Bairstow, in particular, is due for a big innings after underperforming all season.

Shashank, on the other hand, has taken his game to a whole new level. His 25-ball, 46-run innings hauled Punjab out of a torrid situation. He is a force to be reckoned with these days.

MI Probable Highest Scorer: Rohit Sharma or Ishan Kishan

Mumbai Indians‘ openers hold the key for the 5-time IPL champions. Rohit and Ishan are also the leading scorers for the team, with the former on 261 runs in 6 matches and his partner up top on 184 runs in as many matches.

The duo has been ruthless in games, giving Hardik Pandya’s team a fast start. Although MI haven’t won as many games as they should have, that’s a discussion for another time. Rohit and Ishan have done their job and will look to do the same here in this PBKS vs MI IPL 2024 match.

PBKS Probable Best Bowler: Arshdeep Singh or Kagiso Rabada

With 18 wickets between Rabada and Arshdeep, it’s clear that this duo is the main destructive force for PBKS. Both are capable of winning games on their own and will be crucial here against the Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma.

MI Probable Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is the pinnacle of bowling skills, a true giant of a bowler in all forms of the game. On a pitch where batsmen rule and there’s nothing whatsoever for the bowlers, Bumrah still manages to trouble the batsmen. Even in the last game when CSK scored 206/4, Bumrah gave away only 27 runs in his four overs.

In addition, the 31-year-old is also second on the Purple Cap list, only two wickets behind fellow Indian compatriot Yuzvendra Chahal. So he will have extra motivation to give his all in this match.

Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match Between PBKS vs MI

Without Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings‘ batting was exposed in the last match against Rajasthan Royals, with only supreme efforts from bowlers stretching the game to the last over. Dhawan is likely to sit out this match as well, and there’s no one skilled and experienced enough to fill PBKS’ captain’s shoes.

Mumbai Indians might have lost the last match, but their batting unit is still in red-hot form. Add in Bumrah’s outrageous form to the fore, and the visitors might have too much for the hosts in this game.

For all these reasons, Mumbai Indians are clear favorites to win this match.

Chances Of A Win
PBKS: 38%
MI: 62%

Disclaimer: The above match prediction is based on the data and instincts of the writer. While picking players for your team, consider the points mentioned above, and make your own wise decision.