Ahead of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 on Sunday, where Punjab Kings face Mumbai Indians, fast bowler Arshdeep Singh is fully prepared and excited to help PBKS in winning their first title.
A victory over five-time champions will lead the PBKS to their second IPL final. The victor of the match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3. Ahead of the knockout clash with MI, the left-arm fast bowler expressed his views on the chance to bowl during the crucial moments in the game and his approach to managing pressure.
“When I get a chance, whether the team is under pressure and we have to stop runs or take wickets, when they give me the ball, I feel good that they are showing trust in me. So, I enjoy the responsibility that I get, no matter what stage it is. And at that time, I try not to feel the pressure and enjoy the moment and bring good results for the team. It doesn’t happen on a few occasions, but I try not to let it affect me, and when I get a chance in the next match, I do my best and win matches for the team,” he said on JioHotstar.
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Arshdeep, the top wicket-taker for the team with 18 wickets in 15 matches, reminisced about his debut game against Mumbai Indians in the tournament, saying, “When I played my first match. However, the most impressive game, in my opinion, was versus Mumbai Indians at Wankhede. MI were pursuing around 220 runs, and I ended up with four wickets, leading to our victory. It’s something that means a lot to me.”
Qualifier 2: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings have likely been among the top two teams this season, but they are competing against an opponent performing at their formidable peak. The MI batting, spearheaded by Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, has begun to click into gear, and even Tilak Varma, who has been mostly out of form this season, is starting to rise to the occasion. The bowling, led by Bumrah, is functioning smoothly. Even their recent international signings Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson – mainly short-term substitutes – started off strong and succeeded in making an impact.
No matter what the current form is, it will be a clash of experience against enthusiasm, as Punjab Kings do not possess the rich history and winning mindset that Jayawardene has. The Kings’ roster mostly consists of youthful, dynamic athletes, and they’ve often included up to six uncapped Indian players in their lineup.
Probable XIIs
MI: Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson, Ashwani Kumar
PBKS: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak
