PBKS and MI are facing off in Qualifier 2 to book the second slot in the finals. MI are coming from a huge win against GT in the eliminator, while PBKS are coming from a humiliating defeat on their home ground against RCB in Qualifier 1.
Let’s examine the factors and areas PBKS need to focus on to turn things around against MI.
Batting approach
PBKS have an attacking batting approach where every batter will try to take on the bowlers from ball one, irrespective of the situation. They need to alter this approach slightly to perform in high-pressure knockout games.
When they lose early wickets, one of them, especially from the top order, should take a step back and anchor the innings. That knock should come from senior players like Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, and Marcus Stoinis should take the responsibility and add value to their wicket.
A mixed approach of attack and stability would help the team to score the required total on the pitch.
Bowling depth
PBKS is a heavy batting side that solely depends on its batting unit to win the match. They need to strengthen their bowling unit as well because to win a tournament like IPL, you need to have a balance in the squad.
Batting heavy teams have done well in the tournament, but always failed in clutch matches. For example, we could say SRH of 2024 and RCB of 2016. Both teams had a destructive batting unit but couldn’t cross the line in the finals.
PBKS do have great bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, but he can’t save every match alone. He needs good support from other bowlers. Yuzvendra Chahal’s injury has been a great setback for them in the middle overs. They are missing the leading spinner to fill his place.
Harpreet Brar is doing a decent job, but he, along with Yuzvendra Chahal, would create a great spin duo in the middle. Yuzvendra Chahal, coming back from injury, will be a great advantage for PBKS playing at Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad usually doesn’t support spinners, but Chahal has the experience to bowl at the big ground. He can use the longer boundaries of the stadium.
They are playing Azmatullah Omarzai as their third seamer. He doesn’t have much pace but can swing the new ball. They can play Xavier Barlett ahead of him who is a genuine fast bowler. Else, they can even play Vyshak Vijayakumar and in place of him and add Pravin Dubey as an impact player.
Pravin Dubey is a leg spinner, who can accompany Harpreet Brar in the middle overs. Azmatullah Omarzai does provide batting depth, but it’s not necessary when you already have a deep batting line up. Even Kyle Jamieson and Harpreet Brar can contribute with the bat.
Match ups
PBKS should play well with match ups against MI to win this match. Rohit Sharma has problems with left arm seamer swinging the ball with the new ball. Arshdeep should try to pick his wicket in the initial overs. Because if Rohit gets settled in the crease, he could take away the match from the opponents single handedly.
Harpreet Brar against Suryakumar Yadav is a good match up in the middle overs. Surya always struggled against left arm spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner.
Surya loves to access the square leg and fine leg region. Fast bowlers should attack him with leg cutters. It would be difficult for for him to play his favourite flick shot in those deliveries.
Vyshak Vijayakumar should nail his wide yorkers which he did in the first league match against GT at the same venue. His wide yorkers can be crucial in the death overs to stop dangerous batters like Naman Dhir and Hardik Pandya.
In Batting, they should come with better plans lo score against the strong bowling unit of MI. PrabhSimran should show some patience in his shot selection as he can be more destructive once he get settled in the crease.
Josh Inglis can be someone to take down Bumrah as he plays clean cricketing shots. That is the safe option to score runs against him. Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera can take on Santner in the middle overs. These batters should set the stage for Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh to go for the kill in the death overs.
Proper planning and playing well with the match up cards along with giving your 100 % on field will help PBKS to take down the five time champions in the knockout match.
Also Read: MI vs PBKS: Can PBKS’ Stop MI’s Juggernaut In Knock-Out Punch?