The Mumbai Indians (MI), five-time IPL champions, are set to face the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1st, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. The winner of this match will proceed to the final to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). While MI comes into this match with momentum after defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Eliminator, they must overcome their struggles at the Ahmedabad venue. PBKS, after a dominating league stage, are looking to bounce back after a shocking defeat against RCB in Qualifier 1.
Mumbai's Ahmedabad Woes
MI's record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is a major concern. They have only won 1 out of 7 completed matches at the venue, with their last victory dating back to 2014. They are currently on a five-match losing streak in Ahmedabad. Moreover, MI has struggled while chasing at this ground, losing their last four matches while batting second.
What MI Needs to Do
To overcome their Ahmedabad woes and secure a spot in the IPL 2025 final, MI needs to address several key areas:
Assess and Adapt to the Pitch: The Narendra Modi Stadium has generally favored high-scoring games this season. MI's batting lineup needs to assess the pitch conditions quickly and adapt their approach accordingly. If it's a high-scoring track, they need to aim for a big total, and if it offers some assistance to the bowlers, they need to be more cautious and build partnerships. The average first innings score at this venue this season is 221.14.
Handle Pressure: Qualifier 2 is a high-pressure game, and MI needs to handle the pressure well. They have the experience of playing in such games, with 13 wins in 20 playoff matches. Key players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah need to step up and perform under pressure.
Strong Start: A strong start with the bat is crucial, especially given MI's struggles while chasing at this venue. Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow need to provide a solid foundation for the innings and set the tone for the rest of the batting lineup. In the previous match, Rohit Sharma scored 81 off 50 balls, and Jonny Bairstow made an explosive 47 off 22 balls.
Exploit PBKS’s Vulnerabilities: PBKS are coming off a batting collapse in their previous game against RCB, where they were bowled out for just 101 runs. MI's bowlers need to exploit this vulnerability and put PBKS under pressure from the start. Jasprit Bumrah will be key in this regard.
Improve Spin Attack: A weakness for MI is their spin department. With only Mitchell Santner as a convincing spinner in the squad, MI needs to find a way to make their spin attack more effective. Karn Sharma and Mujeeb Ur Rahman need to step up and support Santner.
Key Players and Strategies
Suryakumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav has been in excellent form this season, with 673 runs in 15 matches. He is a must-have fantasy pick.
Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma has stepped up in crucial games. His experience and ability to dominate in pressure situations make him a top fantasy pick.
Jasprit Bumrah: Jasprit Bumrah has been consistently impactful, taking 17 wickets in IPL 2025, and is MI's strike weapon in crunch games.
Impact Player Strategy: If the Mumbai Indians bowl second, either Karn Sharma or Ashwani Kumar will come in as an impact bowler, and Rohit Sharma will likely be subbed out. If MI are chasing, Rohit will bat up top, and one of the bowlers will be used in the second innings.
PBKS Strengths and Threats
PBKS has a strong batting lineup with players like Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Priyansh Arya. Shreyas Iyer's entry has been beneficial, securing nine wins. However, their batting collapse in the previous game against RCB exposed their middle-order fragility.
Head-to-Head Record
Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have faced off against each other 33 times in the IPL. MI has the edge, securing 17 wins compared to PBKS's 15. One match was tied. In their most recent encounter in the league stage, PBKS chased down the target with ease, winning by seven wickets.
Conclusion
While MI has momentum and playoff experience, their poor record in Ahmedabad could be a major hurdle. To overcome this, they need to adapt to the pitch conditions, handle the pressure, and exploit PBKS's vulnerabilities. If MI can execute their plans effectively, they have a good chance of overcoming their Ahmedabad woes and securing a spot in the IPL 2025 final.
