Two teams with contrasting form and moods face each other on Tuesday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the 2021 VIVO Indian Premier League, as Punjab Kings take on the Mumbai Indians. KL Rahul’s side managed to defend a meagre total of 126 runs against SRH in their previous game and will now be full of confidence, while the reigning IPL champions are on a three match losing streak and haven’t won even once since landing in the UAE. 

Aamne Saamne

The five time IPL champions have just a marginally better head-to-head record when challenged by Punjab Kings, and that lender lead too could be wiped out if KL Rahul’s side win on Tuesday. The Anil Kumble coached team have a golden opportunity to do the double over Mumbai Indians for the first time since 2008, with many of the opposition team’s top order players misfiring at the moment. 

Batting de Baadshah

Rohit Sharma tops the run scoring charts for Mumbai Indians this year. The 34-year-old has given his team starts more often than not this season, and also got a strong fifty in the reverse fixture against Punjab Kings. Sharma though would hope that he gets better support from his middle-order- the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya if MI are to progress further in the competition. 

Despite a low score in the previous game, KL Rahul remains hot on the heels of Orange Cap holder Shikhar Dhawan with 401 runs so far. The 29-year-old now comes up against his favourite opponents in Mumbai, a team against whom he averages 71.11. Rahul was named man of the match in his previous two games against Mumbai Indians, and would look to make that a hat-trick come Tuesday. 

Bowling de Kings

Jasprit Bumrah continues to be the go to guy for the Mumbai Indians, as he is having yet another formidable season in this competition. The Indian pacer very effectively curtailed the RCB scoring rate in the previous game, and will be focused to put in a shift yet again for his franchise.

Mohammed Shami started the fightback for Punjab Kings in their previous game, dismissing David Warner and Kane Williamson. The seasoned Indian seamer has consistently delivered wickets at the start and in the death overs for his franchise, and this season also boasts a solid economy of marginally above seven. Shami was the star last year in the Double Super Over clash from 2020, and will be eager to get another good performance under his belt come Tuesday. 

Mudde di Baat

Both Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings find themselves in identical positions, with four wins and six losses so far in the competition. The game on Tuesday would therefore be crucial for both sides as the winner significantly improves their chances of qualifying further, while the loser faces an uphill battle from thereon. 

Punjab Kings have some momentum on their side heading into this game, after their bowlers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on the weekend while Mumbai Indians are still searching for their first win of the month. The fact that KL Rahul’s side have had an extra day’s rest could also play a big factor in deciding the outcome for this clash that never ceases to amaze. 

Yaad Rakhiyo

• KL Rahul was named man of the match in the last two games between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. 
• Ravi Bishnoi has the best bowling average in the IPL this year for spinners who’ve bowled over 15 overs. 
• Harpreet Brar has an economy rate of under six this year in the IPL. 

Probable XI

KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh. 

Punjab Kings wouldn’t wish to make any changes to their bowling unit after that stupendous performance on Tuesday. The batting line-up could see a change with Shahrukh Khan replacing Deepak Hooda to provide some additional attacking vigour. 

NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.