Perennial sluggish starters Mumbai Indians have discovered their mojo and will likely be favourites towards a faltering Punjab Kings of their Indian Premier League conflict on Saturday. Having made a poor begin with defeats in first two matches, Mumbai Indians, who’re positioned sixth within the factors desk, have been in a position to bounce again impressively with wins towards Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

On the opposite hand, Punjab Kings, ranked seventh within the factors desk, have stuttered within the absence of their common captain and the best run-scorer Shikhar Dhawan, who’s unlikely to play towards Mumbai Indians right here on the Wankhede Stadium owing to a shoulder damage.

Dhawan performed a key function in PBKS making a assured begin to the season however his absence has made a major distinction within the outcomes which have come alongside their manner.

Punjab Kings’ fielding coach Trevor Gonsalves knowledgeable after their 24-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday that Dhawan would wish one other 2-3 days to realize full health.

Punjab Kings have three wins to indicate from general six matches however all three losses have come of their final 4 matches, with PBKS desperately lacking the steadiness and firepower that Dhawan gives on the high.

The left-handed senior batter has scored 233 runs in 4 matches and is presently among the many high run-getters within the IPL 2023 and his absence is one thing that PBKS haven’t been in a position to fulfill anyhow.

Sikandar Raza scored a nice half-century (57) and took Punjab Kings over the road towards Lucknow Super Giants however he was omitted of Thursday’s conflict towards RCB inexplicably, as PBKS have been bowled out for 150 in 18.2 overs in pursuit of 175.

Prabhsimran Singh hit 46 to finish his odd run with the bat whereas Punjab Kings will hope that their abroad stars in Liam Livingstone, Matthew Short and Sam Curran do extra with the bat.

With the ball, PBKS have once more blown cold and warm and it will likely be a problem to cease the Mumbai batters, who appear to have discovered their ft and have fired in unison.

The troika of Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and stand-in captain Curran, the most expensive participant ever within the historical past of IPL public sale, may have their job lower out as Punjab Kings look to arrest their slide.

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan on the high have supplied brisk begins to Mumbai Indians, getting their runs at an nearly 10 runs per over which has set the platform for the others that comply with.

The abroad pair of Cameron Green and Tim David has achieved properly within the final three video games or so with the bat, nevertheless it stays to be seen how their middle-order mainstay Suryakumar Yadav goes about his job. In the bowling division, Mumbai Indians are more likely to be with out their abroad star Jofra Archer who continues to rigorously tread his manner again into high flight cricket.

The right-arm pacer has not performed since MI’s opening match towards RCB on April 2, whereas he has skilled with the staff however not within the full tilt.

The younger Arjun Tendulkar has made a formidable begin to his IPL profession, taking his maiden wicket within the final recreation towards SRH and in addition bowled a disciplined ultimate over to defend 20 runs, which might enhance the left-arm seamer’s confidence going ahead.

Teams (from): Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Vishnu Vinod, Cameron Green, Arjun Tendulkar, Ramandeep Singh, Shams Mulani, Riley Meredith Nehal Wadhera, Hrithik Shokeen, Arshad Khan, Duan Jansen, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Raghav Goyal, Jofra Archer, Jason Behrendorff, Akash Madhwal.

Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Rahul Chahar, Sam Curran, Rishi Dhawan, Nathan Ellis, Gurnoor Brar, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Singh, Vidwath Kaverappa, Liam Livingstone, Mohit Rathee, Prabhsimran Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, M Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Singh, Matthew Short, Sikandar Raza, Atharva Taide.

Time: 7:30 PM (IST). PTI DDV BS BS