Punjab Kings will lock horns with five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier of IPL 2025, set to take place on Sunday. Eyeing their maiden IPL title, Punjab will need to overcome a formidable Mumbai side. Shreyas Iyer’s team faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first qualifier, which may have dented their morale. To make it to the final and keep their title hopes alive, Punjab must deliver an exceptional performance. For both sides, this match is no less than a virtual semifinal. On the other hand, Mumbai arrives with confidence after knocking out title favorites Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator, edging one step closer to their sixth championship.
Mumbai’s Impressive Playoff Pedigree
Punjab Kings have had limited success in the playoffs, having played five matches and managed to win only once — including the loss in the recent qualifier. In contrast, Mumbai Indians bring a wealth of experience with 21 playoff games under their belt, out of which they’ve emerged victorious 14 times. However, their record in Ahmedabad isn’t very encouraging, with just one win from six matches at the venue and five losses.
Team Squads
Mumbai Indians:
Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Bewon Jacobs, Robin Midge (WK), Krishnan Sreejeet (WK), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Arjun Tendulkar, Ashwini Kumar, Reece Topley, Karn Sharma, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Satyanarayan Raju, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Raghu Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Richard Gleeson, Charith Asalanka.
Punjab Kings:
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod (WK), Josh Inglis (WK), Harnoor Pannu, Paila Avinash, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harpreet Brar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vishal Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Kyle Jamieson.
Reserve Day Provision
In case of rain on June 1, the match will be shifted to the reserve day scheduled for June 2. If weather disrupts play on both days, the finalist will be determined based on the IPL 2025 points table. With 19 points and the top position in the league stage, Punjab Kings would automatically qualify for the final under such circumstances.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Mumbai Indians – Strengths
The return of form for Rohit Sharma and the explosive opening stand with Jonny Bairstow have bolstered Mumbai’s batting. Their middle order, featuring Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya, provides solid depth. Jasprit Bumrah’s outstanding bowling display in the Eliminator reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
Weakness:
Mumbai batters have shown vulnerability against Punjab’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Rohit, Bairstow, Suryakumar, and Hardik have often found it difficult to play him effectively.
Punjab Kings – Strengths
Punjab’s top order, especially Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, has provided solid starts, laying the foundation for key players like Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis. Shashank Singh has grown as a reliable finisher, while Marcus Stoinis has added balance with his all-round capabilities. Arshdeep Singh continues to shine as a dependable pacer.
Weakness:
Bowling remains a concern for Punjab, particularly after Marco Jansen’s exit. His absence is felt in both the powerplay and death overs. Additionally, Yuzvendra Chahal has been dealing with a finger injury, which could impact their spin attack.
