The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is racing toward an electrifying conclusion, with Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) set to lock horns in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1. PBKS arrive at this clash after a crushing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1, where they were bundled out for just 101. RCB chased it down with 10 overs to spare.
Despite the setback, the Kings, who finished the league stage on top with 19 points and an NRR of +0.372, have one more shot at redemption. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have gained serious momentum after a slow start. They clinched a spot in Qualifier 2 by defending a mammoth 228 against the Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator.
Rohit Sharma led from the front, and MI’s bowling depth held its nerve in the high-scoring clash. The pitch in Ahmedabad has consistently favoured batters, with an average first-innings score of 175. Interestingly, teams batting first have won six of the seven matches here this season, suggesting that chasing under pressure has been tricky. The toss could once again play a vital role.
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Historically, the two teams have shared a close rivalry—out of 33 meetings, MI has a slight edge with 17 wins (including Super Over victories), while PBKS has claimed 16. Their last face-off in this edition saw Punjab dominate with a successful 185-run chase. As we head into this knockout clash, key matchups and individual brilliance will likely decide who joins RCB in the grand finale.
#1 Rohit Sharma vs Arshdeep Singh
Rohit Sharma has hit peak form at just the right time for Mumbai Indians, smashing a crucial 81 in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans. But while his powerplay dominance is well known, left-arm seamers have often found a way to trouble him early on. That’s where Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh becomes vital. In six T20 innings against Rohit, Arshdeep has dismissed him once and kept him to a modest strike rate of 121.73, setting up an intriguing contest with the MI skipper.
#2 Marcus Stoinis vs Jasprit Bumrah
At the death, it’s fireworks versus control as Marcus Stoinis, striking at 296.77 in the last four overs, faces Jasprit Bumrah. The MI pacer has dismissed Stoinis three times in seven IPL innings and conceded just 28 off 36 balls. A tactical chess match awaits.
#3 Suryakumar Yadav vs Harpreet Brar
Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, has been Mr. Consistent for MI this season, crossing 25 in all 15 innings and scoring 673 runs at a sizzling strike rate of 167.83. His duel with Harpreet Brar in the middle overs could be key. So far, SKY has scored 33 off 26 balls against the left-arm spinner without losing his wicket—a matchup Brar will be eager to turn around.
