Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

MI vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 23 | MI vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings Key Players | Pune Pitch Report

Chennai Super Kings’ victory yesterday means that Mumbai Indians are the only winless team so far in IPL 2022. It is quite the situation for the five-time champions, who are often flexing their muscle at this stage of the season to surge up the table.

The key question today is whether MI’s bowling can hold up against Punjab Kings’ dynamic and powerful batting lineup. The Kings have made it clear that they will go all out with the bat, so if MI can’t stop the momentum early, it could be another long night for Rohit Sharma’s men as they look to avoid an incredible fifth-straight defeat.

Also, with the bat, it has been Suryakumar Yadav that has led the way, with most of the others struggling to find their best form. This includes Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard, who must produce today alongside the likes of Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma. The belief for MI has to be that if CSK can find a way to get their first win, they can as well.

For Punjab, they have had time to reflect over their heartbreaking loss to Gujarat Titans over the weekend. Rahul Tewatia, with two sixes to win the match, was a thorn in their side once again. So, how their death bowling fares today will be interesting to see, as they come up against an MI side that has often struggled between overs 7-20 since last season. Cricketers including Jimmy Neesham, in a recent interview with CricBlog, said that the Kings are a team to watch this season. This is their chance to prove it.

Possible Playing 11

MI went in with just two overseas players against RCB. They have the option of both Fabian Allen and Tymal Mills to bring some T20 experience into the team. Allen in particular could be handy against a PBKS team that has a lot of right-handers.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Ishan Kishan (wk), 3. Dewald Brevis, 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Kieron Pollard, 7. Fabian Allen, 8. Murugan Ashwin, 9. Tymal Mills, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Jaydev Unadkat/Basil Thampi

Odean Smith could hold his spot as PBKS need the bowling option. They do have the option of Nathan Ellis, too.

Also, PBKS could choose to play a domestic bowling option over Odean Smith and include both Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Jonny Bairstow in the XI, with perhaps Shahrukh Khan to miss out.

Punjab Kings: 1. Mayank Agarwal (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Jonny Bairstow/Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4. Liam Livingstone, 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Shahrukh Khan, 7. Odean Smith/Nathan Ellis, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Vaibhav Arora

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Mumabi Indians:

• Rohit Sharma showed glimpses of his best form against RCB, before spooning a return catch to Harshal Patel against the run of play. The MI skipper is in need of runs (just 80 so far this season); he has 494 runs against PBKS at an average of 27.44 and strike rate of 129.32.
• Rohit has scored 56 runs off 45 deliveries against Kagiso Rabada for just the one dismissal in all T20s. Arshdeep Singh, however, has dismissed him once in three deliveries, so how Rohit fares against the left-arm angle will be key.
• Ishan Kishan has a strike rate of just over 120 in the powerplay this season. He does have good numbers against Rabada (57 runs in 32 deliveries in T20s), so today could be the day he fires. MI need a quicker start from him.
• Suryakumar Yadav has slotted in magnificently after injury. He has struck scores of 68* and 52 this season at a strike rate of 164.38. However, he has struggled against PBKS, with 159 runs in eight innings at an average of 19.88 and strike rate of 135.90. He does have the class to turn this around, though.
• Kieron Pollard has been a shadow of his former self since his outstanding knock against CSK last season. But, he comes into this match with a magnificent record against PBKS: 22 inns, 529 runs, avg. 40.69, SR 164.80.
• Pollard has scored an incredible 32 off nine deliveries vs Arshdeep Singh without dismissal. He also has scored 48 off 36 balls against Rabada in T20s, with two dismissals.
• Jasprit Bumrah has dominated Mayank Agarwal in the IPL. The pacer has dismissed him three times in 14 deliveries whilst only conceding six runs. Also, Bumrah has taken an impressive 19 wickets in 14 matches vs PBKS (avg. 17.42, econ. 6.28).
• Fabian Allen could be an important weapon for MI today, especially against Bairstow and Livingstone. Bairstow averages 20 and strikes at 114 vs left-arm orthodox, while Livingstone doesn’t fare much better with corresponding figures of 24/118.

Punjab Kings:

• Shikhar Dhawan has strong numbers against Mumbai Indians. The left-hander has struck 801 runs in 26 innings at an average of 38.14 and strike rate of 126.14. Also, Dhawan has solid numbers against Bumrah: 77 balls faced, 95 runs scored, one dismissal.
• As mentioned, Mayank Agarwal has a poor record against Bumrah. Also, he has struggled so far this season (scores of 32, 1, 4 and 5). However, if he can get past Bumrah and deal with Murugan Ashwin well (Agarwal has an average of 20 vs wristspin), he might find some form.
• Liam Livingstone has been outstanding. He has smashed 60 (32) and 64 (27) in his past two matches. Also, he has scored 29 off 18 balls against Tymal Mills in T20s (one dismissal).
• Jitesh Sharma has smashed five sixes in 28 deliveries so far in IPL 2022. Given MI’s worrying middle and death overs bowling, Sharma could be on for a few more lusty blows in this clash.
• Kagiso Rabada takes a wicket every 22 deliveries on average vs MI. He could be used in overs 7-11 as he concedes around six per over in this phase, and this is a time where MI struggle to accelerate.
• Rahul Chahar has been outstanding this season (seven wickets, avg. 14.42, econ. 6.31). Hasaranga, Kuldeep and Chahal have ripped through MI this season, so Chahar and Livingstone could be key in the middle as four of MI’s top six are right-handers.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 28, MI 15, PBKS 13.
• Rohit has been dismissed 23 times by left-arm seam in the IPL at an average of 22 and strike rate of 133.6. Also, he has a 41.8% dot-ball percentage against this bowling type.
• PBKS could look to use Rabada against Suryakumar. The pacer has dismissed Yadav twice in 32 deliveries in T20s, conceding just 42 in the process.
• Shikhar Dhawan has scored two half-centuries in five T20s at Pune.
• Mumbai Indians have lost just three wickets in the powerplay this season. However, they have the third-worst scoring rate in the league (8.24), compared to Punjab Kings who are second-best with 9.23.
• Mumbai Indians’ pace attack is leaking 9.60 runs per over. Punjab Kings aren’t much better, just behind at 9.24.
• Kieron Pollard strikes at 219 and averages 100.70 against Kings since IPL 2017. These are the best numbers among any player with at least 250 runs vs Punjab in this period.

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pune Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Pune this season is 173, with both the team batting first and second winning two games each. Expect a good track for this game, with the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Jonny Bairstow
• Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav
• All-rounders: Liam Livingstone
• Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah

Match Prediction

MI’s best chance is chasing a total as they are struggling to defend. Punjab should win this match.