Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to host Punjab Kings (PBKS) in match 24 of the ongoing IPL 2026 on Thursday, April 16. The game will kick off at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at 7:30 pm IST.
It’s all been downhill for MI since they ended their 14-year opening match jinx. They have suffered three consecutive losses since then and are reeling in ninth place in the standings. The five-time champions have two points and a net run rate of -0.772 in their tally.
PBKS, on the other hand, have had a contrasting campaign. The Shreyas Iyer-led side are currently the only unbeaten team this season. They have claimed three wins from four games, while their fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was washed out due to rain.
They occupy the second position with seven points and a net run rate of 0.720. A win against MI will take them to the top of the points table. There’s nothing to separate the two sides after 34 matches, with the head-to-head record standing at 17-17.
It’s the same story at Wankhede Stadium too, as both MI and PBKS have five wins each from 10 fixtures. However, PBKS beat MI in both of their meetings last year, including Qualifier 2. Ahead of the contest, we take a look at three interesting player battles worth keeping an eye on.
#3 Trent Boult (MI) vs Prabhsimran Singh
Trent Boult has yet to make a significant impact this season. The left-arm pacer has just one wicket from three matches at a poor economy rate of 12.22. That said, he has had the upper hand over opener Prabhsimran Singh.
The wicketkeeper-batter has lost his wicket to Boult thrice in six innings while scoring 31 runs across as many balls. The veteran seamer dismissed Prabhsimran in the crucial IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 as well. The PBKS batter has shown impressive form. He has amassed 131 runs from three innings at a strike rate of 157.83.
#2 Hardik Pandya (MI) vs Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
Skipper Hardik Pandya made an important 40-run contribution from 22 balls in MI’s 18-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home. The all-rounder’s batting exploits will be key here, amid the uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s availability due to a hamstring injury.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to back Yuzvendra Chahal against the hard-hitting batter. The experienced leg-spinner has dominated Hardik in the past, dismissing him four times. The MI star has managed 71 runs off 75 balls at a strike rate of 94.66 off Chahal.
#1 Jasprit Bumrah (MI) vs Marcus Stoinis
Jasprit Bumrah is wicketless in IPL 2026 after four matches. The speedster turning things around at this stage would be key for MI as they look to end their losing streak.
The fast bowler will go up against Marcus Stoinis towards the back end of the innings. The Australian all-rounder has struggled while facing Bumrah. He has lost his wicket to him thrice and has mustered just 30 runs from 38 balls with a strike rate of 78.94.
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Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai
