Punjab Kings fans haven’t had much to celebrate, as their team slumped to three consecutive losses after winning their first game against Rajasthan Royals.
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Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 17 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The former have recorded a win in only one game out of a total of four played so far. The defending champions, on the other hand, have won two games out of a total of four. It will certainly be interesting to witness the game, which is expected to be quite exciting. Considering the presence of proven game-changers like Chris Gayle, Hardik Pandya in the squads of both teams, one can certainly expect a well-fought out contest.
Bearing this in mind, here’s a look at five key player battles to watch out for:
1) KL Rahul vs Jasprit Bumrah
PBKS skipper KL Rahul can be a game-changer on his day, with his excellent strokeplay and jaw-dropping performances. Rahul will face a stern challenge in MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who can be quite difficult to get the better of.
2) Chris Gayle vs Trent Boult
The Windies superstar is well capable of smacking the ball to all corners of the ground. Gayle will be eager to deliver a similar performance against MI, but it might well prove difficult considering the presence of a quality bowler like Trent Boult.
3) Mohammed Shami vs Rohit Sharma
Mohammed Shami is one of the best pacers in the world currently, considering his excellent variations and the bounce derived at a great pace. It will be fun to witness his face-off against Rohit Sharma, who has looked good recently.
4) Arshdeep Singh vs Suryakumar Yadav
Arshdeep Singh has been extremely impressive for PBKS in recent times with his calmness under pressure and excellent control. Suryakumar can be absolutely sensational on his day, which will make the contest between these players one to watch out for.
5) Murugan Ashwin vs Hardik Pandya
Murugan Ashwin is arguably the best spinner in the PBKS squad, with his experience and knowledge of Indian conditions. He will certainly pose a strong challenge to Hardik Pandya, who can be absolutely ruthless against spin.
