IPL 2022: Match 23- Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs Mumbai Indians

PBKS would be looking to get back to winning ways

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Punjab Kings team
info
Punjab Kings team. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

The Punjab Kings will be facing the Mumbai Indians in Match 23 of IPL 2022 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on April 13. PBKS will be coming into this contest on the back of a heartbreaking loss against the Gujarat Titans, where Rahul Tewatia stole the game away from them in a last-ball thriller.

While the batters have been consistent in the first four games, it is the bowlers who have not been able to rediscover their rhythm barring the game against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings, and they would be eager to make the ball talk against a struggling Mumbai Indians, who have an underperforming middle-order that revolves between Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard.

Here’s a look at the Punjab Kings’ Probable Playing XI against Mumbai Indians

Openers: Mayank Agarwal (C) and Shikhar Dhawan

Despite starting on a positive note, Mayank Agarwal has failed to capitalize on making things matter on the 22 yards. The PBKS skipper has only managed single-digit scores in the last two matches against CSK and the Gujarat Titans with scores of four and five respectively. The dasher would be hoping to get into the groove when he faces Mumbai’s bowling attack.

Shikhar Dhawan,on the other hand, has played his part in ensuring a good start for the franchise by opening the innings. The southpaw has so far amassed 127 runs from four games averaging 31.75 and a strike rate of 129.59. He might not have scored a half-century yet but, can be very lethal once he is set and would be hoping to go big against MI.

Middle Order: Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (w), Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

PBKS has a formidable middle-order this season. Jonny Bairstow could only manage eight runs in the last game but, the England limited-overs specialist is a very accomplished batter. He has so far amassed 1046 runs from 29 IPL appearances including a century and seven half-centuries. Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been impressive with his amazing counter-attacking batting so far. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter has so far scored 83 runs from three matches.

He would come in place of uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Promising middle-order sensation Shahrukh Khan is yet to make a mark in IPL 2022. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has not been able to showcase his potential, only managing 45 runs from four appearances with his highest score being an unbeaten 24.

All-rounders: Liam Livingstone and Rishi Dhawan

Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Liam Livingstone has proved himself as a match-winner during Punjab’s league match against the title-holders Chennai, where he had scored a quickfire 32-ball 60 and then chipped in with 2/25 from his three overs. A similar kind of performance will be expected from the Englishman when PBKS takes to the field against the Mumbai Indians.

Rishi Dhawan is yet to don the Punjab jersey this season. The senior all-rounder, who’s likely to replace Odean Smith in the XI, would be looking forward to making the most of his opportunities this time around. The Himachal cricketer has scored 153 runs in 26 IPL outings and has also registered 18 scalps to his name.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh

Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Punjab’s recruit Kagiso Rabada has not been able to impress with the ball in hand so far with four wickets from three matches. The Purple Cap winner of the 2020 edition would be expected to rise to the occasion going forward. Leggie Rahul Chahar has been Punjab Kings’ most consistent performer so far, having registered seven wickets from four matches at an economy rate of 6.31.

Arshdeep Singh has only managed two wickets so far but, he can bowl yorkers at will and also bamboozle the best in the business with his well-disguised bouncers. Medium-pacer Vaibhav Arora will also be hoping to make an impression in the wickets column for Punjab against the Mumbai Indians. Arora can swing the new ball and the same makes him a potent option in the powerplay overs.

PBKS Predicted XI: Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow (Wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahrukh Khan, Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh.

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