IPL 2024, PBKS vs MI - This Player To Regain His Form Against MI? 3 Match-Winners For PBKS

Harshal Patel and Liam Livingstone could be important for PBKS in this game [AP Photos]

The Punjab Kings will play against the Mumbai Indians in the 33rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will be at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on April 18th at 7:30 PM IST.

The Punjab Kings have played an entertaining brand of cricket in IPL 2024. Though the results have not been in their favour, fans and critics have been impressed by the team's batting depth. 

However, it now comes down to the battle for survival in the league. They have lost four of their six matches and are currently in seventh place in the points table. The Kings are up against Mumbai Indians in a similar position. It will be an exciting clash as both teams will fight hard for the two points at stake in this game. 

Let us look at how the wicket at the Mullanpur Stadium has behaved to get an idea of which players could be the match-winners for PBKS. 

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Mullanpur Stadium Ground Stats (IPL 2024)

The wicket at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium provided a tremendous competitive ground for the bat and the ball. In the three matches played here, we have seen the players of all trades have impacted the game in one match or the other. The same could expected, and with MI and PBKS involved, the clash promises to be a nail-biter. 

Three Match-winners for Punjab Kings

Jitesh Sharma

The young Indian wicketkeeper is having a very average season with the bat in IPL 2024. In six matches, Jitesh Sharma has scored 106 runs at an average of 17.67 and a strike rate of 130.86. His lack of form is one of the prime reasons PBKS struggling in the tournament, as the middle order collapses on him not being consistent. 

 However, Jitesh's numbers against Mumbai Indians will give hope to the PBKS camp. In three matches against MI, Jitesh has scored 104 runs at a strike rate of 212.20 while being dismissed only once. Moreover, in IPL 2023, Jitesh scored 74 runs in two matches at a strike rate 217.60, while the MI bowlers could dismiss him only on a single occasion. With the rhythm absent from his batting, MI could be the side that gives him the confidence and form back. 

Liam Livingstone

From injury to being out of form with the bat, Liam Livingstone's season has not been ideal. PBKS depends greatly on him to fire and give the team some strong finishes. Because of his not firing, the team has lacked the firepower in the middle-overs, leading to a couple of their losses. 

However, Livingstone and the PBKS management will take heart from his performance against MI in IPL 2023. In the two matches against MI in the previous season, Livingstone scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 170.40. These numbers might give the big-hitting allrounder confidence when he walks to bat in this game and help him regain his form. 

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Harshal Patel

It has been a disappointing season for Harshal Patel with the ball. He has picked up seven wickets in six matches with an economy of 10.55. Patal's failure in the middle and death overs has led the team to concede runs that have sometimes taken the target out of their reach.

However, Harshal has done an excellent job against MI in previous seasons. In 13 games, he has picked up 21 wickets against one of the most successful teams in the league. Harshal has an average of 16.2 and a strike rate of 12 against the Mumbai Indians while maintaining an economy of just over 8. These numbers are impressive, considering he bowls most of his overs towards the end of the innings. Hence, there is a chance that Harshal could have a match-winning impact on this game.