The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final on Monday, May 26, at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Prior to the playoffs, both teams will try to improve their lineups.
PBKS is just one victory away from placing among the top two teams in the standings. With 17 points from 13 games—eight wins and four losses—they are presently ranked second in the standings. The Kings will try to get back to winning ways before the playoffs after losing to the Delhi Capitals (DC) in their most recent game.
MI, on the other side, has been on a winning streak in the second half of IPL 2025 following a slow start. The five-time winners, led by Hardik Pandya, have performed well in cricket and will want to extend their winning streak before to the playoffs. Mumbai has 16 points after 13 games, which puts them in fourth place in the standings.
A thrilling matchup between two of the top four teams is expected. In light of this, we examine three intriguing player fights to keep an eye on throughout tonight’s match.
1. Shreyas Iyer vs Jasprit Bumrah
Shreyas Iyer has taken the team by storm in his maiden season as PBKS captain. At a strike rate of 172.43, he has scored 488 runs in 13 games, including five fifty-runs.
MI captain Hardik Pandya will aim to hold Iyer in check because he is the pillar of the PBKS batting order. To neutralize the Iyer menace, Hardik may turn to Jasprit Bumrah, his best option.
The right-handed batter has scored 64 runs off 46 balls against Bumrah at a strike rate of over 140, striking out only once.
2. Hardik Pandya vs Arshdeep Singh
He is the ace all-rounder whose precious knocks come at the time of the death and churns out that flurry finish. While Hardik Pandya hasn’t fired regularly, he can turn the game on its head at any moment with one blade of his bat.
PBKS will be aware of the threat and will try to deploy Arshdeep Singh to keep the ace batter under control. Hardik Pandya has been held in check by the lanky left-arm bowler, who has allowed just 13 runs off 22 balls and removed him once.
3. Nehal Wadhera vs Mitchell Santner
PBKS allrounder Nehal Wadhera has been the intent merchant for the team in the middle phase of the innings this season. Playing a good pace and striking cleanly, the left handed batter is a threat to opposition teams.
Mitchell Santner, an experienced left-arm spinner, might help MI defeat Wadhera. The Kiwi player has an advantage over other bowlers since he can change the ball’s pace based on the situation.
