IPL 2024, PBKS vs MI - Punjab Kings' Trump Card Against The Mumbai Indians

Arshdeeep, Rohit and Rabada will be crucial in determining the fate of the match [AP Photos]

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

The Punjab Kings have suffered a couple of defeats in the tournament despite playing entertaining cricket. Given their current position, the Kings will be desperate for a win and the two points at stake in this game. If the Punjab Kings are to win this game, they will have to ensure that they get rid of the MI top-order as quickly as possible, and if not, then at least keep them quiet. 

Who could be the bowlers for PBKS to restrict the destructive MI batting line-up? 

If we look at the stats of the MI batters against Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada, we will clearly see that these two will be the most significant factors for PBKS. 

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Coetzee, Madhawal, Thushara Nail Rocket Yorkers Under Mastermind Malinga

---

MI batters vs Rabada and Arshdeep

Table - Stats of MI batters vs Arshdeep Singh

The numbers suggest that Arshdeep Singh has been pretty effective against the two MI openers. In case of Surya and Hardik also Arshdeep has good efficiency as he has not conceded much runs against them. Now let us have a look at the record of the MI batters against Kagios Rabada. 

Table - Stats of MI batters vs Kagiso Rabada(IPL)

Tilak Varma is yet to face Kagiso Rabada. Tim David has also not faced Rabad in IPL, but they have faced each other for eight deliveries in ODIs. In those eight deliveries, David has scored two runs while being dismissed once. Besides this, the numbers in the table gives us the idea that even though Rabada has been expensive against Rohit and Surya, he has also been effective against them. 

---

ALSO READ

'The Way They...' Jos Buttler Shares How Dhoni And Kohli Influenced His ‘Best IPL Knock'

---

Conclusion

The stats suggest us that the while some of the batters have struggled against Arshdeep Singh, the other have had problem against KG Rabada. So, it will be important for the PBKS team to attack the MI top-order with these two bowlers atleast for the first couple overs. PBKS can look to change their bowlers around after going in full throttle with these in the intial phase.