PBKS vs MI Qualifier 2 Preview | June 1, 2025 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

The IPL 2025 playoffs reach a critical juncture as Qualifier 2 pits the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Mumbai Indians (MI_). The stakes could not be higher: the winner books the second available slot in the final at the same venue on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Having narrowly missed securing a direct berth from Qualifier 1, PBKS now have one final opportunity to punch their ticket. MI, after surviving the nail-biting Eliminator, will look to carry their momentum forward in Ahmedabad. 

Road to Qualifier 2

Punjab Kings’ Journey

After topping the league table with 19 points, PBKS earned a place in Qualifier 1, ending an 11-year playoff drought and showcasing consistency throughout IPL 2025. In Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on May 29, 2025, PBKS faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but were outplayed by RCB’s batting explosion, bundling PBKS out for 101 and losing by eight wickets. That defeat handed them a second chance in Qualifier 2, but also underscored the need to address their batting frailties under pressure.

Key contributors during the league stage included Shreyas Iyer, the captain, who amassed 516 runs; Prabhsimran Singh, leading the run charts for PBKS with 517; and pacer Arshdeep Singh, who claimed 18 wickets to spearhead their bowling attack. Their ability to bat deep and bowl incisively will determine their fate in the do-or-die clash.

Mumbai Indians’ Resurrection

Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the league phase with 16 points, necessitating an Eliminator showdown against Gujarat Titans (GT) in New Chandigarh on May 30, 2025. MI posted a formidable 228/5, driven by a brutal 81 from Rohit Sharma, 47 from Jonny Bairstow and late strikes from Hardik Pandya that propelled them to a 20-run win over GT. Jasprit Bumrah and Richard Gleeson later dismantled GT’s middle order, ensuring MI’s survival.

Hardik Pandya’s leadership, combined with match-winning performances from Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, and Suryakumar Yadav, has rejuvenated MI’s campaign. Their triumph in the Eliminator keeps alive hopes of securing a record-equalling seventh IPL title, emphasizing their prowess in knockout scenarios. All eyes will be on MI’s bowling unit, led by Bumrah, to restrict PBKS’s firepower.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

Over 32 encounters in IPL history, Mumbai Indians hold a narrow advantage with 17 wins to Punjab Kings’ 15. Their most recent meeting during the league stage (Match 69 in Jaipur on May 26, 2025) saw PBKS chase down 185 in 18.3 overs, with Josh Inglis (73 off 42) and Priyansh Arya (62 off 35) leading a dominant chase against MI’s 184/7 

Historically, MI’s experience in high-pressure playoff fixtures gives them a psychological edge; however, PBKS’s resurgence in 2025 under Iyer signals they are not to be underestimated. This Qualifier 2 clash not only represents a battle for a final spot but also carries the weight of franchise pride and redemption for PBKS, who have not reached the final since 2014. 

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

Punjab Kings

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain & Middle-Order Batsman): After topping PBKS scoring charts with 516 runs, including a career-best 97* in Match 5, Iyer’s ability to anchor and accelerate will be crucial.
  
• Prabhsimran Singh (Opener): The wicketkeeper-batsman leads PBKS’s batting with 517 runs. His aggressive starts have often set the tone, though early dismissals could tilt momentum MI’s way.
  
• Kagiso Rabada (Pace Bowler): With 14 wickets in the league, Rabada’s pace and bounce could exploit early movement on Ahmedabad’s surface. His head-to-head against MI’s top order will be fascinating.
  
• Arshdeep Singh (Left-Arm Seamer): Leading the PBKS bowling with 18 wickets, his economy and wicket-taking ability in the Powerplay will aim to choke MI’s explosive openers.
  
• Rahul Chahar (Leg Spinner): With 16 wickets, Chahar’s spin options can target MI’s middle-order batsmen who are less comfortable against quality legspin.
  

Mumbai Indians

• Hardik Pandya (Captain & All-Rounder): Pivotally returning to form, his leadership and late-innings hitting have been vital. As a bowling option, his medium pace can provide a crucial breakthrough in middle overs.
  
• Rohit Sharma (Opener): Scoring 81 in the Eliminator, Rohit’s ability to absorb pressure and unleash big shots will test PBKS’s new ball bowlers. His Powerplay strike rate could set the platform for MI.
  
• Suryakumar Yadav (Middle-Order Batsman): The world’s No. 1 T20 batter struggled briefly this season but regained confidence with a half-century in IPL 2025. His improvisation skills can disrupt PBKS’s bowling plans.
  
• Jasprit Bumrah (Pace Bowler): IPL’s premier death-over specialist, Bumrah (17 wickets in 2025) can strangle PBKS’s lower order and arrest any late-innings surge.
  
• Tilak Varma (All-Rounder): Providing stability at No. 3, his ability to counter-attack and bowl useful overs makes him a potential X-factor, especially on an expected high-scoring pitch.
  

Pitch, Conditions, and Toss Implications

The “Motera” behemoth in Ahmedabad has historically favored batsmen, with short boundaries and a hard, true surface conducive to high scores. Evening dew can assist the ball to skid onto the bat, potentially making batting easier during the chase. However, early spells could reveal variable bounce, offering advantages to fast bowlers like Rabada and Bumrah. 

Given the dew factor, captains often prefer chasing at this venue. MI have thrived when batting second in Motera, but PBKS’s record chase earlier in Jaipur suggests they are comfortable during run-chases. The toss could be decisive: an early big score might pressure the chasing side, but a controlled chase under lights often prevails.

Prediction and Conclusion

Both franchises enter this high-pressure fixture with momentum: PBKS aiming to correct the batting collapse in Qualifier 1, MI buoyed by their Eliminator victory. Considering historical winning percentages and effective chase record under dew, Mumbai Indians slightly edge PBKS on paper. However, PBKS’s depth in batting—featuring two batsmen over 500 runs—suggests they can challenge MI’s bowling.

Ultimately, the toss and early swing of the new ball could be decisive. Should MI’s Bumrah and Pandya strike early, their spinners can choke PBKS’s middle overs. Conversely, if Iyer and Prabhsimran navigate the Powerplay successfully, PBKS can set a daunting total for MI. Expect a competitive contest spanning 180–200 runs, with a close finish likely. Regardless of the outcome, Qualifier 2 at “Motera” promises a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.