IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Best Bets

The Punjab Kings get a chance to bounce back after their heartbreaking defeat to Rajasthan Royals when they take on Mumbai Indians on Thursday. Despite the big difference between the overall success of the two franchises, the H2H record between them is incredibly close, with Punjab having won four of the last six clashes. Have a look at our best bets for this encounter.

Venue: MY Singh International Cricket Stadium

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Punjab has a chance to level the head-to-head record to 16-all with a win that would also elevate them to six points in the standings. Their recent form has been mixed; they set a formidable 214/3 against Mumbai but lost by six wickets and then narrowly failed to defend 147 against Rajasthan, losing on the penultimate ball with Arshdeep Singh struggling to contain runs at the death. Despite his nine wickets, Singh’s economy rate is high at 9.24 runs per over, reflective of the league’s high-scoring action this season.

Punjab’s strength has been taking wickets regularly, leading the league with 43 wickets despite an overall expensive economy rate of 9.10 runs per over. However, their powerplay performance has been lacklustre, capturing only nine wickets in this phase and failing to take any during the crucial early overs against Rajasthan.

Mumbai, on the other hand, has had a challenging start with just two wins from six games, facing strong teams like RCB, CSK, and SRH, with the latter setting a then-record score against them. Their most disappointing outing was a failed chase of 169 against Gujarat Titans from a strong position. Despite an impressive average scoring rate of 192, Mumbai’s bowling has been a weak point, taking only 33 wickets, ten by Jasprit Bumrah alone. Their powerplay struggles are notable, with an average score of 64 runs but conceding 52 and capturing just eight wickets in this crucial early phase.

Expect a good contest as these teams have a great rivalry, with their head-to-head 16/15 in favour of Mumbai Indians. Mumbai’s experienced side will fancy themselves against an inconsistent Punjab outfit.

Prediction: Mumbai Indians to win at 1.47.

Players to Watch: Punjab wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma has endured a poor IPL so far, averaging just 17.66 this season, but he will have a chance to atone for this soon. He averages 104 at a strike rate of 212 against Mumbai. He may need to contend with Mumbai pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has 20 wickets in H2H matches, and ten scalps this season, with a best of 5/21. 

Key Stats

Mumbai scored the most powerplay runs in six of their last seven games, whilst Punjab did so in only three.

Punjab recorded the highest opening partnership in just one of their last eight matches.

Shikhar Dhawan averages 105 with the bat against the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah (1/105 from 87 balls).

Arshdeep Singh has kept Rohit Sharma quiet during a brief history, with figures of 1/15 from 16 balls.

Ishan Kishan has been dismissed three times from just 12 balls delivered by Arshdeep but scored 25 runs from the other nine.

Suryakumar Yadav has struck 52 runs from the 19 balls he faced against Sam Curran in the IPL.

Neither Jonny Bairstow nor Liam Livingstone have top-scored for Punjab in an IPL 2024 innings.

Best Bets

Best Bet: Mumbai Indians to score the most runs in the 1st 6 overs at 1.66.

Value Bet: Jasprit Bumrah to be Mumbai Indians’ top bowler at 4.50.

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