Last Updated on 8 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 shapes up as quite the battle. Punjab Kings (PBKS), involved in the playoffs for the first time since 2014, take on the juggernaut that is Mumbai Indians (MI), filled with title-winning experience.

MI’s big guns stepped up in the pressure cooker of an Eliminator against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday. Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah led the way, producing big performances to get the team within one game of the playoffs. Bumrah in particular was outstanding as GT were on track to chase a mammoth total of 228, with that yorker to Washington Sundar a reminder of his sheer greatness.

PBKS need to bounce back after a disappointing performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1. They did not adjust to the bounce on offer at Mullanpur, and seemed to be overawed by the occasion. Well, this occasion is even bigger as there are no second chances, but Shreyas Iyer’s team can take heart from the fact they beat MI less than a week ago.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Ahmedabad pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for IPL 2025 Qualifier 2.

IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: PBKS vs MI Possible Playing XIIs

PBKS should stick with the same XI despite the loss to RCB, unless Yuzvendra Chahal is fit.

Punjab Kings: 1. Priyansh Arya, 2. Prabhsimran Singh, 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Shashank Singh, 8. Azmatullah Omarzai, 9. Harpreet Brar, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Arshdeep Singh, 12. Vijaykumar Vyshak

MI could also look to stick with same XI, including the bowling attack that did travel at times against GT.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Tilar Varma, 5. Hardik Pandya (c), 6. Naman Dhir, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Raj Bawa, 9. Trent Boult, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Richard Gleeson, 12. Ashwani Kumar

Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather

Ahmedabad has been a batting paradise in IPL 2025. The average first innings score is a mammoth 222.14, with 200+ breached in six of the seven matches. Pacers have taken 56 wickets on this ground this season. Spinners have taken 27.

Whoever wins the toss may be tempted to bat first. Teams batting first have won six of the seven games at Narendra Modi Stadium this season. The weather forecast is warm and mostly clear night with a top of around 30 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PBKS vs MI: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Jonny Bairstow made a magnificent first appearance in IPL 2025, smashing 47 (22) in the Eliminator. He is in good form after scores of 79, 89 and 77 in his last three innings for Yorkshire in the County Championship.
• Josh Inglis struck 73 (42) against MI on May 26. Inglis smashed 32 (12) in the match before that as well.
• Prabhsimran Singh has made starts in his last four innings (21, 28, 13, 18) without going on to make a significant score. Despite this, Singh has looked in decent touch and is among the highest-ever scorers for uncapped players in IPL history.

Key batter picks:

• Suryakumar Yadav has made 14 consecutive 25+ scores – a world record in men’s T20s. This includes a 39-ball 57 against PBKS last week.
• Priyansh Arya hammered 62 (35) against MI last week. He has been dismissed five times by left-arm seam this season (avg. 29.4, SR 188.5), so the battle against Trent Boult will be crucial.
• Shreyas Iyer has struggled at Mullanpur and performed just about everywhere else. Before his two against RCB, Shreyas made scores of 25*, 72, 45, 30, 53 and 26* in his previous six knocks.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Hardik Pandya has amassed 870 Dream11 points this season – the most of any of the all-rounders featuring in this game. Hardik looks to be a better pick if batting first, as he showed in the last game where he struck 22* (9).

Key bowler picks:

• Jasprit Bumrah has 24 wickets in 17 innings against PBKS. The great fast bowler has 18 wickets this season at an average of 15.33 and economy of 6.33. He has a dominant record against Marcus Stoinis in the IPL: 36 balls, 28 runs, three wickets.
• Trent Boult was expensive against GT, but is in magnificent wicket-taking form with 15 scalps in his last seven matches. His matchup against Prabhsimran Singh is a positive one for MI: 25 balls, 26 runs, two wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh will be vital in the powerplay. Rohit Sharma has been dismissed four times by left-arm seam this season at an average of 17.8. Arshdeep will also be vital at the death – he has fine numbers against Suryakumar Yadav: 35 balls, 42 runs, two wickets.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Rohit Sharma won player of the match for his 80 (51) against GT in the Eliminator. He played beautifully in a breakthrough innings when batting first this season (currently averaging 25 in the first innings). However, keep in mind Rohit was dropped twice early in his innings.
• Tilak Varma was excellent in the Eliminator, playing an impactful innings of 25 (11). Such a knock can build confidence, and he can be worth a pick in Dream11.
• Marcus Stoinis has struck two fifties in his last four matches against MI. Overall, the all-rounder has 340 runs vs MI at an average of 28.3 and strike rate of 145.9.

Stats and Other Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 33, PBKS 16, MI 17.
• Suryakumar Yadav career record against PBKS: 19 inns, 562 runs, avg. 31.2, SR 155.7.
• Trent Boult vs Priyansh Arya in the IPL: 11 balls, 20 runs, no dismissal.
• Jasprit Bumrah vs Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 50 balls, 66 runs, one dismissal.
• Trent Boult vs Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 44 balls, 56 runs, one dismissal.
• Arshdeep Singh vs Rohit Sharma in the IPL: 23 balls, 28 runs, one dismissal.

IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: PBKS vs MI 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:

IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: PBKS vs MI Match Prediction – Who will win?

This has the makings of a classic. A big score batting first can go a long way to victory. But, MI, with their experience, is my pick to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.