The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be host to a high-stakes clash between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025. The winner earns a coveted spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while the loser bows out. With both teams packing firepower, the do-or-die encounter promises a thrilling spectacle.
Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are riding high after a commanding 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive 47 off 22 balls showcased MI’s batting depth, while Jasprit Bumrah’s match-turning spell underlined their bowling prowess. Suryakumar Yadav (673 runs, 67 avg, 167 SR) and Tilak Varma add further muscle, making MI’s lineup packed with match-winners. Their playoff experience, 13 wins in 20 matches, give them a slight edge. Deepak Chahar, who was spotted doing fitness drills without any visible discomfort on the eve of the game is also likely to return. However, MI’s poor record in Ahmedabad (1 win in 6 games) could be a concern.
Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, face a must-win scenario after an eight-wicket thrashing by RCB in Qualifier 1, where they were bundled out for 101. PBKS will rely on their strong Indian core, including Prabhsimran Singh (517 runs, 166 SR), Priyansh Arya, and Josh Inglis, who powered a seven-wicket win over MI in the league stage. However, the absence of Marco Jansen put further pressure on the bowling unit, though Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to return. The pressure will be on Arshdeep Singh to do the heavy lifting and lead the bowling. Coach Ricky Ponting will need to rally his side to overcome their recent batting collapse, especially against RCB in Qualifier 1 and exploit MI’s vulnerabilities. Punjab would take confidence from the fact that their IPL 2025 journey started in Ahmedabad on a winning note.
The Motera pitch favours high-scoring games, with teams breaching 200 in six of seven matches this season. Expect a run-fest, with MI’s bowling strength being potentially decisive. Predictions lean toward MI due to their momentum and playoff pedigree, but PBKS could upset them if their top order fires. For the winner of Qualifier 2, RCB awaits in the grand finale on June 3.
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