IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: PBKS vs MI Preview, Prediction, Starting XI and Where To Watch The Match LIVE

Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians will reignite their rivalry when they clash in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, June 1.

PBKS vs MI: Preview

After 72 intense matches spread across two action-packed months — filled with relentless play, travel, and a mid-season break — only three teams remain in the hunt for IPL 2025 glory: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI). With RCB already securing their spot in the final, MI and PBKS are set to battle it out in a high-stakes Qualifier 2 on Sunday to determine the second finalist.

It’s a classic showdown: the five-time champions take on a side still chasing its maiden title. Hardik Pandya vs Shreyas Iyer. Jasprit Bumrah vs Arshdeep Singh. Suryakumar Yadav vs Josh Inglis. Trent Boult vs Kyle Jamieson. A knockout clash loaded with blockbuster individual battles.

The two teams have arrived at this stage via contrasting journeys. MI were languishing near the bottom of the table in mid-April, with only one win from their first five games. But in true MI fashion, they mounted a stirring comeback, clinched a playoff spot, and eliminated Gujarat Titans in Friday’s eliminator. PBKS, on the other hand, were one of the most consistent teams in the league phase, finishing at the top of the table before being handed a wake-up call by RCB in Qualifier 1 at New Chandigarh.

Thanks to their top-two finish, PBKS now have a second shot at reaching the final—a reward they earned by beating MI earlier this week in Jaipur. A repeat result on Sunday would seal their place in the final and potentially crown them as first-time IPL champions.

In a rare and bold move, PBKS have consistently fielded four uncapped Indian batters in their top seven. Under the guidance of Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer, this young core has flourished, making PBKS one of the most explosive batting sides this season, with seven 200-plus totals in 15 matches. While their aggressive approach misfired on a tricky New Chandigarh pitch that offered seam and uneven bounce, it could prove far more effective on the truer, batting-friendly surface in Ahmedabad.

For Punjab Kings, the IPL 2025 journey comes full circle at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—the very venue where their campaign began. Regardless of whether they make it to the final, their season will conclude at the same ground where it started with a bang. On March 25, PBKS launched their season in style, piling up 243 for 5 and defeating Gujarat Titans by 11 runs. Now, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting will be hoping to recreate that magic over two decisive nights.

Punjab Kings have arguably been one of the standout teams of IPL 2025, but they now face their sternest test yet—up against a resurgent Mumbai Indians side firing on all cylinders.

This clash will be a classic showdown between experience and exuberance. Punjab Kings, despite their success this season, lack the historical pedigree and championship culture that Mumbai Indians bring to the table. PBKS have placed their trust in youth, often fielding as many as six uncapped Indian players in their playing XII—an approach that has yielded fearless, attacking cricket.

Now, it’s up to Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer to come up with a plan to outwit a team built for big moments. MI’s adaptability and depth allow them to handle virtually any situation thrown their way. PBKS did beat them earlier this season, but the stakes are now far higher. Qualifier 2 is not just another match—it’s effectively a semifinal, and in contests of such magnitude, experience often proves to be the decisive factor.

Punjab Kings’ leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has a proven edge over two key Mumbai Indians batters in IPL encounters. He has dismissed opener Jonny Bairstow four times in just six innings, conceding only 29 runs off 35 balls. Chahal has also kept Suryakumar Yadav in check, restricting him to 83 runs from 71 deliveries while dismissing him thrice.

On the other side, Punjab Kings’ pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh has struggled for impact since the season resumed. Across eight Powerplay overs in that period, he has conceded 92 runs without taking a single wicket.

Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer, too, is on the brink of a milestone—he needs just one more victory to reach 50 IPL wins as captain.

Mumbai Indians’ batting line-up is built around seasoned international stars, with only one uncapped player among their top seven. Following Ryan Rickelton’s exit, Jonny Bairstow made an instant impact on his franchise debut, effortlessly filling the opening slot and laying the foundation for a 200-plus total on Friday. In the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have been consistently delivering the big blows, but it’s Jasprit Bumrah who remains MI’s ultimate game-changer — consistently condensing 20-over innings into effective 16-over challenges for opponents.

Despite missing Deepak Chahar due to a hamstring issue and having to contend with heavy dew in the Eliminator, MI’s momentum remained unshaken — thanks to Bumrah, who clean bowled Washington Sundar with a signature yorker. The question now is: can PBKS find a way to neutralize him on Sunday?

But standing in their path is a surging Mumbai Indians unit, fresh off a dominant run. MI enter Qualifier 2 having won eight of their last 10 games, riding a wave of momentum that has historically made them nearly unstoppable. Their commanding win in Mullanpur on Friday only reinforced the idea that a red-hot MI side is every opponent’s nightmare.

With a roster full of established stars, championship pedigree, and big-game experience, MI bring more than just form to the table. At the heart of their threat is Jasprit Bumrah—a bowler who adds unmatched weight and aura to their attack. Teams essentially face just 16 effective overs, with Bumrah’s four proving nearly unplayable. In 11 games this season, he has conceded only 276 runs at an economy of just over six, a staggering feat in T20 cricket.

What makes Bumrah even more dangerous is his indirect impact on the game—something not always reflected in standard stats. Much like Sunil Narine or Rashid Khan, Bumrah forces opposition batters into mistakes even when he’s not taking wickets himself. He disrupts rhythm, pressures new batters, and shifts momentum. It’s led data analysts to rethink performance evaluation, moving beyond traditional metrics to explore the ripple effects of such players. While Bumrah is officially credited with 18 wickets this season, the number of dismissals he has influenced is likely much higher.

Mumbai Indians’ batting unit, led by the ever-reliable Rohit Sharma and the explosive Suryakumar Yadav, has found its rhythm at the perfect time. Even Tilak Varma, who had struggled for consistency throughout the season, has begun to chip in with crucial contributions. Their bowling attack, anchored by Jasprit Bumrah, continues to operate with clinical efficiency. Meanwhile, overseas recruits Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson—originally seen as stop-gap additions—have slotted in seamlessly, providing immediate impact and keeping the momentum going.

“When you have a winning culture, it’s easier to sustain it,” says MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene. “The conversations we have are all about improvement. That mentality of always fighting, never giving up—it’s passed down by the senior players. After the mega auction, we had several fresh faces, but we made it a point to introduce them to Mumbai’s legacy, our way of working, and the mindset that defines this franchise.”

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has rediscovered consistency, registering four half-centuries in an IPL season for the first time since 2016. Since stepping down as captain in 2024, Rohit Sharma has enjoyed back-to-back 400-plus run seasons—his first such streak since the 2015–16 editions. His four half-centuries in IPL 2025 are also his most in a single season since 2017.

Suryakumar Yadav has been Mumbai Indians’ backbone in the middle overs (7–15), accounting for two-fifths of the team’s runs during this crucial phase. He has contributed 12.90% of MI’s overall tally this season—the second-highest individual share across all teams. Notably, his 263-run lead over MI’s next highest scorer is the largest gap between the top two run-getters in any team this season.

Jasprit Bumrah has had the upper hand against PBKS all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. The numbers are telling: 28 runs off 36 balls with three dismissals.

PBKS vs MI: Recent Form

Punjab Kings LWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Mumbai Indians WLWLW

PBKS vs MI: Head-to-Head

Since 2022, MI trail PBKS 2-3 in head-to-head meetings, but hold a narrow overall advantage of 17 wins to 16. In Qualifier 2 fixtures, MI have an even record of two wins and two losses, while PBKS have appeared in this stage just once — in 2014 — when they defeated CSK by 24 runs.

• Matches Played: 33
• Won by Punjab Kings: 16
• Won by Mumbai Indians: 17
• Tied: 0
• No Result: 1
• First-ever Fixture: April 25, 2008
• Most-recent Fixture: May 26, 2025

PBKS vs MI: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Sunday’s match is likely to be played on a red-soil pitch that previously hosted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). This season, six out of seven games in Ahmedabad have been won by teams batting first. During PBKS’ training session on the eve of Qualifier 2, there were light spells of drizzle.

With the pitch still under covers, making a clear prediction is difficult, but a high-scoring game seems probable. Of the 14 innings played in Ahmedabad during IPL 2025, nine have recorded totals over 200, the highest number at any single venue in a single IPL season.

This pattern is expected to continue Sunday night, unless one team suffers a collapse like Punjab did in Qualifier 1. Teams batting first have claimed six of the seven victories, with the only successful chase occurring during a day game. As a result, the captain winning the toss may opt to bat first.

PBKS vs MI: Team News and Starting XI

Punjab Kings – Team News

Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed PBKS’ last three matches including the Eliminator due to a wrist injury, bowled on the eve of the Eliminator and appears likely to return to strengthen the bowling attack. If PBKS bat first, Chahal could be used as an Impact Player in the second innings when they bowl. Except for Chahal, who missed Qualifier 1, all other players are fit. Chahal was seen actively bowling on the sidelines of the covered pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday evening, but he had also followed the same routine before Qualifier 1. His availability is not certain, though it is not completely ruled out either.

Captain Shreyas Iyer will be glad to move away from New Chandigarh, where he has scored just 27 runs in five matches. In contrast, he has amassed 489 runs in 10 away games this season. Ahmedabad, in particular, should boost his confidence, as he started the season there with a commanding 97 against GT. On the bowling side, Punjab Kings may rely on Arshdeep Singh to counter Rohit Sharma. The left-arm pacer has dismissed Rohit once, and notably, Rohit has been out to left-arm pace four times this season. Since 2024, Rohit has scored 155 runs off 103 balls against left-arm fast bowlers across eight matches.

Punjab Kings – Starting XI

1. Prabhsimran Singh
2. Priyansh Arya
3. Josh Inglis (wk)
4. Shreyas Iyer (capt)
5. Nehal Wadhera
6. Shashank Singh
7. Marcus Stoinis
8. Azmatullah Omarzai
9. Harpreet Brar
10. Kyle Jamieson
11. Yuzvendra Chahal
12. Vyshak Vijaykumar

Mumbai Indians – Team News

Richard Gleeson is dealing with hamstring issues, and it is uncertain if they will be fit for Qualifier 2. While Chahar missed the Eliminator, Gleeson had to leave the field midway through the final over on Friday. He faces a quick turnaround before Sunday’s game. If Gleeson does not recover in time, his England teammate Reece Topley is expected to replace him. However, there is no major injury concern, and the latest from the MI camp is that Deepak Chahar, who missed the Eliminator, is fit to play.

MI are currently on a five-match losing streak at this venue, having won only one out of six games here, but that should not deter Hardik Pandya’s side. MI’s seamers have been performing well with the new ball, taking 23 wickets at a strike rate of 21.6, which should help counter the aggressive batting of the Punjab openers.

Mumbai Indians – Starting XI

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Jonny Bairstow (wk)
3. Suryakumar Yadav
4. Tilak Varma
5. Hardik Pandya (capt)
6. Naman Dhir
7. Mitchell Santner
8. Raj Bawa
9. Richard Gleeson/Reece Topley
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Trent Boult
12. Ashwani Kumar

Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings: Players To Watch Out For

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

In Qualifier 1, Shreyas Iyer attempted a slog-pull against a Josh Hazlewood delivery that was neither short nor full but ended up edging it behind. His dismissal triggered PBKS’ collapse in New Chandigarh, where he has scored just 27 runs in five innings this season.

A potentially flatter pitch in Ahmedabad could better suit both his and PBKS’ attacking style. This season, Iyer has hit 31 sixes off 302 balls, with only Suryakumar (35), Mitchell Marsh (37), and Nicholas Pooran (40) hitting more.

Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

When leading GT, Hardik Pandya played more as an anchor than a power hitter. However, this season as MI’s captain, he has shifted towards being more of a finisher, providing a strong finish to their innings.

In the crucial overs between 17 and 20, he has scored 109 runs off 53 balls at a striking rate of 205.66, which ranks second among 16 batsmen who have faced at least 50 deliveries in this phase. Only Heinrich Klaasen surpasses him with a strike rate of 237.03.

Both PBKS and MI possess strong hitting depth, which has likely given Shreyas and Hardik the freedom to bat more aggressively throughout this IPL.

PBKS vs MI: Prediction

Scenario 1

• Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl first
• Mumbai Indians Powerplay Score: 60-70
• Mumbai Indians Total: 190-200
• Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match

Scenario 2

• Toss: Mumbai Indians win the toss and bowl first
• Punjab Kings Powerplay Score: 65-75
• Punjab Kings Total: 200-210
• Match Result: Mumbai Indians win the match

When and Where To Watch the Qualifier 2 LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details

The Indian Premier League 2025 Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Sunday, June 1, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.

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