PBKS vs MI Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2024 match?

Time is running out for the Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite three losses to start their 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, the five-time champions were backed to recover and display the form we have come to expect from them over the years in the tournament.

But while they managed to reel off two wins on the trot to rack up four points, MI fell short to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a chase they really should've completed successfully. That defeat means that their season, which threatened to find its wings, has been curtailed once again.

MI's clash against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), to be played in Mullanpur on Thursday, April 18, will mark the midpoint of the league stage for them. That's usually when Mumbai get into prime form but they seem to have left it late this time. And they can't afford to leave it any later than now, with the league table taking shape.

The Kings, meanwhile, haven't fared much better. Familiar inconsistencies in the batting department have come back to haunt them despite an improved roster. While PBKS haven't been blown away in any of their defeats, they haven't been able to capitalize on key moments.

Like MI, PBKS have only won twice in six matches. Another loss could spell doom for their playoff hopes, which is a feeling they've gotten overly used to over the years in the IPL.

Punjab have won three of their last five clashes against Mumbai, but their recent form hasn't been too convincing. With players like Shikhar Dhawan unavailable, the Kings will need to find a way to pile on MI's misery.

Which team will pick up two points and move up the IPL 2024 points table?

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IPL 2024, PBKS vs MI Win Probability: Hardik Pandya and Co. seek lifeline

MI's bowling hasn't been anything to write home about in IPL 2024, barring, of course, the inimitable Jasprit Bumrah. Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal, Hardik Pandya, and Romario Shepherd have been expensive in the last few matches, while the spin attack has been sparsely used and rather unsuccessful at producing regular breakthroughs.

Mumbai are yet to identify their ideal combination. Perhaps they need Nuwan Thushara to boost their pace stocks and bring some well-roundedness to the side, with the batting unit having enough firepower and experience.

That batting unit will be up against a PBKS bowling attack that hasn't covered itself in glory. Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran have been the principal contributors, but none of them have stood out. Death bowling has been an issue, and the side has virtually no wicket-taking spinners.

Mullanpur has been batting-friendly, and MI seem better poised to make use of the conditions. They have a weapon called Bumrah in their ranks, and with PBKS' batting lineup looking fragile, they could be able to get back to winning ways.

Mumbai haven't been convincing at all, and Punjab might even be the favorites on paper for this encounter. But Hardik Pandya and Co. won't go down without a fight, and if they field the right combination, they should be able to get the job done.

Prediction: MI to win Match 33 of IPL 2024.