The 23rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) will see the clash of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MCA Stadium in Pune on April 13, 2022. The MI franchise is yet to win a match and has lost four in a row, while PBKS has won 2 and lost 2 matches thus far.
With Chennai Super Kings winning last night against Royal Challengers Bangalore, MI remains the only side to not win a game, something that can change this evening against PBKS.
The Punjab side is still searching for their best bowling combination by trial and error and with multiple options to choose from, this match might be the one to settle on one combination.
Keeping the importance of this encounter in mind, here is the Team COC predicted playing XI for the MI v PBKS match of IPL 2022.
MUMBAI INDIANS
MI have lost their first four matches and will be desperate to get on the points table with a win here against PBKS. While their batting has been doing decently, the form of the opener and captain Rohit Sharma is a concern for the five-time champions. He has just 80 runs in 4 games with a best of 41.
Ishan Kishan has held the batting together receiving tremendous support from Suryakumar Yadav who joined the XI after missing the first two matches. Young Tilak Varma and Dewald Brevis have impressed a lot, but both need to stay out there a bit more.
Kieron Pollard has shown glimpses of his big-hitting prowess but has not come good in crunch situations.
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With the game being played in Pune, MI would look to bolster their spin department by bringing in Fabien Allen or Mayank Markande for Ramandeep Singh. Jaydev Unadkat brought some experience in the bowling department taking some burden off the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah. Basil Thampi has done excellently well both in the wickets and economy column.
PUNJAB KINGS
The Mayank Agarwal-led side has done extremely well in the batting division, while their bowling has let them down in the last two matches.
Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank himself have done an excellent job at the start, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa had done the big-hitting job well, but had to be benched to bring in Jonny Bairstow into the XI.
However, with Odean Smith’s bowling becoming an issue, its time to bring in Rajapaksa to give the bowlers some more cushion in terms of runs. Liam Livingstone is having the time of life in this IPL, after finding the perfect spot in the XI to bat.
Shahrukh Khan has found himself lost in the melee this far and would like to remind everyone he is still present with all his abilities. With the game to be played in Pune, Harpreet Brar is expected to come to the side to lend support to Rahul Chahar in the spin department.
The pace bowling has been excellent with Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh doing well and getting great support from Vaibhav Arora who has impressed a lot.
They are facing five-time IPL champions MI and need to bring their A-game to the table.
MI COC Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Fabien Allen, Jaydev Unadkat, M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Basil Thampi
PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:
Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh
