Qualifier 2: Wounded Punjab face Mumbai’s vengeance in do-or-die clash

The stage is set. Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians face off in Qualifier 2, with just one win separating them from the IPL final. Punjab may have topped the table during the league stage, but it’s Mumbai who carry all the momentum.

After losing four of their first five matches, MI pulled off a stunning turnaround, winning eight of their last ten. They now need just one more win to complete the comeback story. And when it comes to pressure, it’s squarely on Punjab.

Punjab’s recent match against RCB revealed some serious vulnerabilities. Their aggressive approach backfired, and only three of their batters reached double digits. While Ahmedabad’s pitch should offer better conditions for batting, Punjab must strike the right balance this time.

Their opening duo—Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya—has been a major strength this season, scoring nearly 950 runs combined. But they’ll be up against two of the toughest bowlers in the game: Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

Boult is known as the king of the first over, having taken 32 wickets in the opening over since 2020. Punjab’s top order will need to survive his early assault. Then comes Bumrah—18 wickets this season with a jaw-dropping economy of 6.3. His four overs could decide the match.

Punjab’s best shot might be to exploit Mumbai’s record when batting first in playoffs. MI have won 9 of 10 matches when setting a target. If Punjab win the toss and bat first, they might just flip the pressure back on Mumbai.

But MI’s top three are lethal, and unless Punjab dismisses them early, the game could slip quickly—just like it did for Gujarat Titans, who dropped crucial chances.

Captain Shreyas Iyer remains optimistic despite the RCB loss, saying, “We’ve lost the battle, but not the war.” Yet Punjab’s bowling unit is under serious scrutiny. Marco Jansen is back, Chahal has been absent lately, and Arshdeep Singh has gone wicketless in three of his last four matches.

One thing’s for sure—Mumbai want revenge, and this clash promises fireworks.