Pune: Mumbai Indians, who have lost four consecutive IPL matches in the 2022 season, will be desperate to change their fortunes when they play Punjab Kings here at the MCA Stadium on Wednesday.
While Rohit Sharma's Mumbai have had horrendous start to their campaign, the Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab's campaign has been a mixed bag with two wins and two loses.
MI have to sort some issues going into the game, including their combination. Barring Suryakumar Yadav, no batter has lived up to their name.
MI would need a good start from skipper Rohit and Ishan Kishan and desperately require the likes of Kieron Pollard to go big in the death overs.
In the bowling department, except for Jasprit Bumrah, the attack is completely different in this tournament. MI have so far not shown enough trust in Tim David and Tymal Mills.
The Singaporean-Australian cricketer David was dropped after just two games, and newcomer and unproven Dewald Brevis was added to the lineup.
On the other hand, Punjab have a strong batting unit with seniors like Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone and Odean Smith in the middle-order.
PBKS's bowling department also looks formidable with proven performers Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar and Kagiso Rabada.
Teams:
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Fabian Allen, Anmolpreet Singh, Murugan Ashwin, Arshad Khan, Basil Thampi, Dewald Brevis, Rahul Buddhi, Jasprit Bumrah, Tim David, Aryan Juyal, Mayank Markande, Riley Meredith, Tymal Mills, Kieron Pollard, Ramandeep Singh, Daniel Sams, Sanjay Yadav, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Tilak Varma, Jaydev Unadkat.
Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal (c), Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh, Jonny Bairstow, Baltej Singh, Raj Bawa, Rahul Chahar, Writtick Chatterjee, Rishi Dhawan, Shikhar Dhawan, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Benny Howell, Liam Livingstone, Prerak Mankad, Ansh Patel, Ishan Porel, Prabhsimran Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sandeep Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, Odean Smith, Atharva Taide. (UNI)
