IPL 2025: MI against PBKS — experience vs hunger in qualifier 2

As Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 gears up at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on June 1, all eyes are on Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. MI stepped in with the reputation of handling pressure, boasting five titles and a 66.7% win rate in playoffs. In contrast, PBKS have just one win from five playoff appearances, making this match an opportunity to change their narrative.

Mumbai’s form in crunch matches is well-documented—14 wins from 21 playoff games. But Punjab come into this game with belief, having beaten MI earlier in the season. That recent win serves as a confidence booster as they approach their first-ever playoff showdown against Mumbai.

Ahmedabad factor: Advantage Punjab?

The venue could play a crucial role in shaping the result. PBKS have won four of their six matches at Narendra Modi Stadium, showing comfort in conditions that have unsettled many. Meanwhile, MI have struggled here—just one win in six games, including a key defeat at this very stage last year.

Statistically, Punjab hold the edge at this venue with a 66.6% win rate, while Mumbai’s performance sits at a low 16.6%. The numbers suggest PBKS could carry a psychological advantage into this high-stakes match.

Players to watch and what fans are saying

Suryakumar Yadav remains a top pick heading into the match. With 640 runs at an average of 71 and a strike rate of 167, he’s in red-hot form and firmly in the Orange Cap race. Shreyas Iyer, PBKS’s captain, will need to bounce back from a low score in Qualifier 1. His earlier knocks—72 vs CSK and 53 vs DC—remind fans of his value as an anchor.

Prabhsimran Singh’s aggressive top-order batting has yielded 517 runs this season. His ability to attack from ball one makes him a key figure for Punjab.

Online, fans are fired up. One wrote, “Qualifier match: MI vs PBKS — jitne wali team final mein jayegi, aur haarne wali... memes mein!” Another praised Hardik Pandya’s late-over heroics: “Haan tailender ka wkt leke match jitaya tha Hardik Pandya ko full credit jana chahiye.” 

Haan tailender ka wkt leke match jitaya tha 😂😂😂😂
Hardik Pandya ko full credit jana chahiye nah ki Bumr@ND ko..

— b. 🥤#269 (@Bikis18__) June 1, 2025

A third comment read, “Mumbai Indians Rocks Rohit Sharma unstoppable Hardik Pandya Bumrah Suryakumar.” 

Mumbai Indians Rocks 🔥🔥

Rohit Sharma unstoppable 💯
Hardik Pandya Bumrah Suryakumar ♥️

Hit like ♥️#MIvsPBKS https://t.co/CO3DtezRMc pic.twitter.com/th4Fi3lZTA

— Raja Mishra🇮🇳 (@raja_mishra02) June 1, 2025

And a PBKS supporter declared, “Just believe in Shreyas Iyer Sarpanch Saab.”

Just believe in Shreyas Iyer Sarpanch Saab pic.twitter.com/zPra0A0xFe

— Tejveer (@beamer_alone) June 1, 2025

As MI and PBKS battle for the final spot, fans gear up for a thriller fuelled by belief, numbers, and legacy.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.