In an exciting Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 encounter, the Mumbai Indians (MI) square off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Match 31 of the season sees both teams battling for two valuable points in their quest for a top spot in the league. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and chosen to put his team in the field first.
After a shaky start to the tournament, with two successive losses, the Mumbai Indians have made a strong comeback, securing three consecutive wins. They now face the unpredictable Punjab Kings, who have had a mixed performance this season, with an equal number of wins and losses. Sitting at the seventh position in the points table, the Kings need to step up their game during the crucial middle phase of the group stage, where fortunes are often determined.
Mumbai Indians’ key players to watch include Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tim David, and Arjun Tendulkar. Mayank Markande has been impressive with the ball and is expected to challenge the Punjab batting lineup. On the other hand, Punjab Kings eagerly await Shikhar Dhawan’s return to fitness following a shoulder injury. Liam Livingstone’s performance will be crucial for the Preity Zinta-owned team’s chances of victory. In the event Dhawan misses the game, Sam Curran is expected to lead PBKS once more.