IPL 2023|Predicted Playing XI of Punjab Kings Against Mumbai Indians

Punjab Kings players celebrating a wicket (AP Photo)

Punjab Kings have blown hot and cold in IPL 2023 so far and have won three and lost three. They will now be travelling to Mumbai, the financial capital of India to take on Mumbai Indians in game 31 and it is an opportunity for them to make a statement by beating five-time champions at their own den.

Let us now look at the predicted playing XI of Punjab Kings against MI for game 31 of IPL 2023

Openers

Atharva Taide/ Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh (Can be an Impact Player if PBKS bat second)

Shikhar Dhawan has missed out on couple of games now because of a probable injury  but if the southpaw did make it back to the team, then Atharva Taide will make way for him. Prabhsimran Singh will be the other opener and he showed flashes of brilliance in the last game against RCB after a strong of low scores. Expect him to enjoy the conditions at the Wankhede.

Middle-Order

Harpreet Singh

Harpreet Singh has played two games so far this season and has done decently. He would however, need to make more impact in the coming games but PBKS management is likely to back him for game against MI.

Liam Livingstone

The swashbuckling English all-rounder is a dangerous cricketer and a player who can win the game single-handedly on his day. He is coming after a long injury and would be looking to make an impact after failing against RCB. The true nature of Wankhede will also help his style of play and we can expect him to go bang bang.

Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza scored a match-winning fifty against LSG but was left out against RCB with Livingstone back in the team. However, he could be slotted back in place of Short who has not yet got that big knock. Raza is also pretty useful with the ball and can provide some stability to Punjab's batting line-up.

Jitesh Sharma

The hard-hitting wicketkeeper batter played a good knock under pressure in the last game against RCB. He is a clean-hitter of the cricket ball and PBKS would like him to deliver with more consistency going forward.

Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan trying to play a pull shot (AP Photo)

He is another one of those big-hitters in Punjab line-up. He has played a couple of handy cameos this season but just like Jitesh Sharma he need to show more consistency and maturity in his strokeplay.

All-rounders

Sam Curran

The English all-rounder has been bowling brilliantly from the last few games and is back to his best at the death. However, Punjab need Sam Curran - The batter to join the party too and if he can do that, Punjab will surely have a good time in coming games.

Harpreet Brar

A quality left-arm spinner  and a useful batter. Brar has the knack of getting big wickets and is expected to play important role in the middle overs for Punjab Kings.

Bowlers

Kagiso Rabada

He is one of the best bowlers in the world currently and has bowled well in the two games he has played so far. He missed out in the last game and Ellis played in place of him but KG is expected to slot back on the Wankhede pitch that has good carry in it.

Rahul Chahar (Can be an Impact Player if PBKS bowl second)

The leg-spinner has not been able to produce breakthroughs that are expected from him so far this season. However, he will be back at Wankhede now where he has been very successful for MI in the past and would be looking to show his worth in this game. He might be used as an impact player though if PBKS bowl second.

Arshdeep Singh

The left-arm pacer is one of the most important assets for PBKS. He has picked 9 wickets in 6 matches and is the leading wicket-taker for his side so far. His performance will go a long way in determining Punjab's fortunes against MI and rest of the season.

Impact Players (Assuming PBKS Bat second)

Prabhsimran Singh

Matthew Short

Mohit Rathee

Rishi Dhawan

Shivam Singh