Mumbai Indians will be targeting successive wins on the road in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 when they take on Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. Both sides have won one and lost one of their opening two matches this season, however, MI will be in buoyant mood heading into this contest after beating Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 runs on Thursday. Punjab, on the other hand, will want to bounce back in their first home game of the season after losing their previous match by 28 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. MI have the better head-to-head record between the sides having won 12 of the 22 matches between the teams.

Head-to-head record

MI 12-10 KXIP

From the MI dugout

Our players will be confident heading into this encounter after a thrilling victory over Bangalore. Skipper Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace ace Jasprit Bumrah played crucial roles in the win against RCB and they will want to build on that performance against Punjab. Hardik, especially, looked dangerous with the bat, hitting 32 from just 14 balls in what was an ominous sign for opposition bowlers for the remainder of the tournament. Rohit at top, of course, was key to MI’s solid start. However, he and our fans will be hoping for more from Quinton de Kock and Kieron Pollard, who haven’t managed to stamp their authority on the tournament yet. 

Key Player

Bumrah will be integral to MI’s fortunes, not just against Punjab but for the entirety of the IPL. Player of the Match against RCB, Bumrah showed the world why he’s considered the number 1 ranked ODI bowler by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He picked up 3 for 20 against Bangalore and bowled with great skill at the death to prevent AB de Villiers from guiding Bangalore to a win. His final two overs, in fact, halted RCB’s charge as he picked up wickets and conceded just five runs from them. How Punjab fare against Bumrah, will play a massive part in the outcome of Saturday’s match.

From the KXIP dugout

After beating Rajasthan Royals in their season opener, Kings XI Punjab were brought crashing down to earth in their next encounter against Kolkata. Punjab have a fairly balanced squad and can pose a threat to any team on their day. Their opening batsman KL Rahul will want to spend some time in the middle, while Mayank Agarwal looked in good form in his last innings. David Miller as well as Sarfaraz Khan have been entrusted to play the big shots after coming in the middle order and Andrew Tye, Mohammed Shami and skipper Ravichandran Ashwin are their main bowling threats.  

Key Player

Their biggest threat though has to be Chris Gayle at the top of the order. Considered one of the great entertainers in the sport, Gayle’s in terrific form and it will be important to dismiss him early on. The powerful Jamaican smashed 79 from 47 balls in his side’s season opener against Rajasthan. He was looking dangerous against KKR as well and even struck a couple of fours and two sixes before top-edging a bouncer.