नवीनतम
Rohit's absence big blow as MI host PBKS
MUMBAI [Maha Media]: Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to lock horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in what promises to be a mouth-watering contest in IPL 2026 on Thursday, 16 April. Both teams have had quite the contrasting campaigns thus far and will look to put on a show at the Wankhede Stadium. The match starts at 7:30 PM IST with the toss scheduled for 7:00 PM.
PBKS and MI find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum on the IPL 2026 points table. Punjab Kings, the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, are at the second spot on the points table with seven points from four matches. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, are rooted to the ninth spot, having had a hat-trick of losses after starting their campaign with a win.
Ahead of the PBKS match, the Mumbai Indians received a big blow with Rohit Sharma reportedly not playing the match. The Hitman had suffered a hamstring injury, which saw him retire out in the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and subsequently underwent scans. Rohit did train with the MI players but as per Cricbuzz, will miss the match against the Punjab Kings. And MI might include Quinton de Kock to partner Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order.
Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have had a pretty even rivalry so far in the IPL. They have played 34 matches against each other and both teams have shared the spoils with 17 wins each. MI and PBKS have delivered some sensational contests in the IPL, one of which was a double Super Over thriller in 2020.
Shreyas Iyer and Vyshak Vijaykumar have been the best players for the Punjab Kings thus far. Iyer has hit 137 runs in four matches so far, including two half-centuries and has had a strike rate of 187.67.
Vyshak, on the other hand, has been the highest wicket-taker for PBKS thus far. The right-arm pacer has picked up five wickets in four matches and will look to continue his form against the Mumbai Indians as well.
While MI have had a horrible campaign, Ryan Rickelton and Shardul Thakur have stood out as their best players. The South African wicketkeeper-batter has struck 137 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 168.75 and with Rohit's availability uncertain, MI would need him to fire big time against PBKS.
The pitch at Wankhede, flat as a politician’s promise, invites carnage. With average first innings scores around 185 and chasing sides winning five of the last eight games, the toss feels like half the match already decided. Expect sun, sweat, and 30°C of pure batting indulgence.
And so the story sharpens further: Mumbai Indians, not just out of form but openly contemplating a revamp of their identity, versus Punjab Kings, a side playing with the carefree certainty of a team that believes the present owes it nothing. One is trying to rebuild itself mid-season; the other is busy enjoying the destruction it causes.
