In the heart of Mullanpur, the PCA New Stadium witnessed a thrilling encounter between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians (PBKS vs MI) on the 18th of April, 2024.
It was the 33rd match of the season, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
Let check out PBKS vs MI head to head in the IPL.
Venue: PCA New Stadium
31 matches played between the PBKS vs MI at PCA New Stadium, Mullanpur. Punjab Kings has won 15 matches while Mumbai Indians has won 16 matches.
Toss Moment
Punjab Kings, after winning the toss, decided to put Mumbai Indians in to bat first, setting the stage for an exciting first innings.
“We’ve decided to bowl first, following the current trend here. Our goal is to bowl well and apply pressure from the start. The only concern right now is Shikhar Dhawan’s recovery; it’s tough losing him, especially the close games.
Sam Curran, PBKS Skipper
Despite this, we’re getting a lot right at the moment. Jonny Bairstow misses out today, and Rilee Rossouw will take his place. Atharva Taide is also left out, just a couple of tactical changes to our lineup.”
“Actually, we wanted to bat first, so it’s a good toss to lose. We’ve had our chances in previous games but failed to capitalize. The IPL really tests you.
Hardik Pandya, MI Skipper
We’re not being too harsh on ourselves; we need to accept things as they are and ensure we give our 100% every time we step out on the field. What’s needed is for everyone to contribute, not just one individual. The team is really pumped up. We’re putting the past results behind us and focusing solely on the process ahead.”
First Innings
MI Batting
Mumbai Indians’ batting lineup rose to the challenge, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge.
His impressive 78 off 53 balls, decorated with seven 4s and three 6s, was the cornerstone of MI’s innings.
Captain Rohit Sharma supported well with a quick 36 off 25 balls, including two 4s and three 6s.
Youngster Tilak Varma also contributed a valuable 34* off 18 balls, hitting two 4s and two 6s, propelling Mumbai Indians to a formidable total of 192 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
PBKS Bowling
Punjab Kings’ bowlers had their moments too, with Harshal Patel taking 3 wickets for 31 runs in his 4 overs, dismissing key players like Hardik Pandya, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd.
Sam Curran managed to claim the wickets of both Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, ending with figures of 2/41 in his quota of 4 overs.
Kagiso Rabada also chipped in with the wicket of Ishan Kishan, finishing with 1/42 in 4 overs.
Second Innings
PBKS Batting
Chasing a target of 193, Punjab Kings had a mountain to climb. Ashutosh Sharma’s blistering 61 off 28 balls, which included two 4s and seven towering 6s, kept the hopes alive for PBKS.
Shashank Singh also played a crucial knock of 41 off 25 balls, hitting two 4s and three 6s.
Harpreet Brar’s 21 off 20 balls further added to the tally, but it wasn’t enough as Punjab Kings fell short, scoring 183 all out in 19.1 overs.
MI Bowling
Mumbai Indians’ bowlers were on fire, with Gerald Coetzee and Jasprit Bumrah taking 3 wickets each.
Coetzee’s 3/32 in 4 overs included the wickets of Prabhsimran Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone.
Bumrah, with his exceptional 3/21 in 4 overs, dismissed Sam Curran, Shashank Singh, and Rilee Rossouw.
Shreyas Gopal, Hardik Pandya, and Akash Madhwal contributed with a wicket each, ensuring a tight grip on the match.
Man of the Match
Mumbai Indians clinched the victory by 9 runs, a testament to their all-round performance and strategic gameplay.
Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal bowling, especially in the death overs, earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ title. His ability to take crucial wickets at pivotal moments of the game turned the tide in favor of Mumbai Indians.
“It was a closer game than we anticipated. Naturally, as a bowler, you want to make an impact when conditions favour the ball. In this format, the ball swings for only a couple of overs, unlike Test cricket where I can bowl more and have a greater influence. T20 cricket presents challenges for bowlers due to time constraints and rules favouring impact players. The batting lineups also tend to become deeper, which is beyond our control. I try to relay messages to the bowlers when possible, but I also avoid overloading them with information during the heat of the moment.”
Jasprit Bumrah , Mumbai Indians
In conclusion, the PBKS vs MI clash was a showcase of cricket at its finest, with both teams displaying immense talent and determination.
Mumbai Indians’ triumph by 9 runs was a result of their balanced team effort and Bumrah’s standout performance, which will be remembered as one of the highlights of the IPL 2024 season.