Written By: Shreya Patil
Published: April 16, 2026

Punjab Kings are predicted to edge Mumbai Indians in Match 24 of IPL 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

PBKS are the only unbeaten team this season with 3 wins and 1 no result, while MI are languishing at 9th with just one win from four games.

However, with Rohit Sharma ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Jasprit Bumrah wicketless in four games, MI’s home advantage may not be enough tonight.

MI vs PBKS Match 24: Complete Details

DetailInformation
MatchMumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings, Match 24
TournamentIPL 2026 (TATA Indian Premier League)
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
Time7:30 PM IST
Toss Time7:00 PM IST
VenueWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Live TelecastStar Sports Network
Live StreamingJioHotstar App & Website
Hardik and Shreyas Captains MI and PBKS
Source – Cricket Country

MI And PBKS Form Guide in IPL 2026

Here is the info regarding current form of both the teams:

Mumbai Indians: 1 Win, 3 Losses (9th Position, 2 Points)

MI started their campaign brilliantly with a win over KKR at Wankhede, but everything has unravelled since then.

Three consecutive defeats – to Delhi Capitals (6 wickets), Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, and most recently Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 18 runs at home – have left them in serious trouble.

The most alarming stat: Jasprit Bumrah has gone wicketless in 4 matches.

That’s unheard of for a bowler considered the best in the world.

To make matters worse, Rohit Sharma is ruled out of this clash after picking up a hamstring injury against RCB.

The “Hitman” retired hurt in the sixth over of MI’s failed chase of 241.

On the brighter side, Ryan Rickelton (133 runs in 4 innings) and Sherfane Rutherford (101 runs in 3 innings, avg 50.50) have been consistent performers.

Punjab Kings: 3 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 NR (3rd Position, 7 Points)

PBKS are the story of the season so far.

Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, they’ve won all three of their completed matches and remain the only unbeaten side in IPL 2026.

Their one no result came against KKR due to rain.

Their top-order is firing on all cylinders. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have formed a destructive opening partnership, with Arya striking at an unreal 264.10 in IPL 2026.

In their last match against SRH, they smashed 93/0 in the powerplay – a terrifying statement of intent.

Captain Shreyas Iyer has added composure to the middle order, and the all-round presence of Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly gives the team balance.

The one concern: Arshdeep Singh has conceded 149 runs in 84 balls with just 2 wickets across 4 games.

MI vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record in IPL

This is one of the most evenly matched rivalries in IPL history.

Both teams have faced each other 34 times with each side winning 17 matches – perfectly level.

StatDetails
Total Matches34
MI Wins17
PBKS Wins17
No Result0
MI Highest Score223/6 against PBKS
PBKS Highest Score230/3 against MI
MI Lowest Score87
PBKS Lowest Score119
Wankhede Record5 wins each in 10 matches at Wankhede

Top Performers in MI vs PBKS Rivalry

CategoryPlayerStats
Most RunsRohit Sharma (MI)602 runs
Most WicketsJasprit Bumrah (MI)24 wickets
Most Wickets (2nd)Lasith Malinga (MI)22 wickets
Best BowlingMunaf Patel (MI)5/21 at Wankhede

Recent MI vs PBKS Results

SeasonMatchWinnerDetails
IPL 2025Qualifier 2PBKSPBKS eliminated MI from playoffs
IPL 2025LeagueSplit winsEach team won one match
IPL 2024Both legsMI edgeRohit-led MI took the edge
IPL 2023MumbaiPBKS13-run win
IPL 2023ChandigarhMI6-run win

Notably, PBKS eliminated MI in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, which gives them a psychological edge heading into this fixture.

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report for MI vs PBKS

The Wankhede Stadium has been a bowler’s graveyard in IPL 2026.

All four innings played here this season have crossed the 220-run mark – that’s how flat this surface has been.

AspectDetails
Pitch TypeFlat, true bounce, batting paradise
Avg 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026)~230 runs
OutfieldLightning-fast
Boundary SizeShort square boundaries
Pace vs SpinSome seam movement early; flat thereafter
Chase Win % (Last 8 games)5 of 8 (62.5%)
Dew FactorSets in from the 12th over of 2nd innings

Phase-wise Pitch Behaviour

PhaseOversBehaviour
Powerplay1–6New ball offers movement; quickly flattens for batters
Middle Overs7–15Spinners can get some grip but short boundaries punish mistakes
Death Overs16–20Dew settles in. Bowling becomes extremely difficult

With dew guaranteed from around the 12th over, chasing teams get a massive advantage as the ball skids on and bowlers struggle to grip it.

Mumbai Weather Forecast for MI vs PBKS Match

ParameterForecast
Temperature (Match Time)28–31°C
Humidity65–75%
Rain Chance~10% (minimal, unlikely to disrupt)
Wind Speed~13 km/h
Dew FactorHeavy dew expected from 8:30 PM
ConditionsClear to partly cloudy evening

Weather should not be a factor. Fans can expect a full, uninterrupted contest.

MI vs PBKS Toss Prediction

The trend at Wankhede in IPL 2026 is clear – win the toss, bowl first.

Teams chasing have won 5 of the last 8 matches at this venue, and with heavy dew expected, both captains will want to field first.

Toss Prediction: Whichever captain wins the toss will choose to bowl first, looking to exploit the dew-assisted chase under lights.

Key Players to Watch in MI vs PBKS Match

Here are the Key Players to Watchout For:

For Mumbai Indians

1. Suryakumar Yadav (Middle Order)

With Rohit out, the weight of MI’s batting falls squarely on SKY’s shoulders.

He’s closing in on 4,500 IPL runs (currently at 4,417) and has historically scored at a strike rate above 156 against PBKS .

Wankhede is his backyard. If SKY fires, MI can compete with anyone.

2. Jasprit Bumrah (Fast Bowler)

Four matches, zero wickets – and he’s bowled 35 runs in 4 overs against RCB.

However, Bumrah needs just 4 more wickets to surpass R Ashwin (187) on the all-time IPL wickets list.

He’s due for a big night, and Wankhede is where he’s produced his most devastating spells.

3. Tilak Varma (Middle Order)

Tilak has struggled to find rhythm so far, but his role becomes even more important with Rohit missing.

On a flat Wankhede deck, his left-handed firepower could be the difference.

4. Ryan Rickelton (Opener)

The South African has been MI’s most consistent performer with 133 runs in 4 innings at an average of 33.75.

With Quinton de Kock likely to get a debut season opportunity alongside him, MI’s opening could be a high-risk, high-reward pair.

For Punjab Kings

1. Priyansh Arya (Opener / Impact Player)

The flamboyant left-hander has been the breakout star of IPL 2026 with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 264.10.

On Wankhede’s short boundaries, he could demolish any bowling attack – including Bumrah’s.

2. Shreyas Iyer (Captain / Middle Order)

Iyer’s leadership has transformed PBKS into title contenders.

His tactical acumen and knack for handling pressure situations make him invaluable, particularly against a team like MI that has the talent to strike back.

3. Marcus Stoinis (All-rounder)

The Australian all-rounder gives PBKS balance – a destructive middle-order option with the bat and a useful medium-pace option who can handle the death overs.

4. Arshdeep Singh (Fast Bowler)

Despite a rough start (2 wickets, conceded 149 runs), Arshdeep’s left-arm angle and yorker skills make him a key weapon.

A return to form against MI’s injury-depleted batting order could define this match.

MI vs PBKS Probable Playing XIs

Here are the Probable Playing XI from both the Teams:

Mumbai Indians Predicted XI

#PlayerRole
1Quinton de Kock (WK)Opener
2Ryan RickeltonOpener
3Suryakumar YadavMiddle Order
4Tilak VarmaMiddle Order
5Hardik Pandya (C)All-rounder
6Naman DhirFinisher
7Mitchell SantnerSpin All-rounder
8Shardul ThakurAll-rounder
9Trent BoultFast Bowler
10Mayank MarkandeLeg Spinner
11Jasprit BumrahFast Bowler
 Raj Bawa (Impact Player)All-rounder
MI Playing XI IPL 2026
Source – ProBatsmen

Punjab Kings Predicted XI

#PlayerRole
1Prabhsimran SinghOpener
2Priyansh Arya (Impact Player)Opener
3Shreyas Iyer (C)Top Order
4Nehal WadheraMiddle Order
5Shashank SinghMiddle Order
6Marcus StoinisAll-rounder
7Cooper ConnollyAll-rounder
8Marco JansenPace All-rounder
9Vijaykumar VyshakFast Bowler
10Xavier BartlettFast Bowler
11Arshdeep SinghFast Bowler
 Yuzvendra ChahalLeg Spinner
PBKS Playing XI IPL 2026
Source – CricTracker

Why Punjab Kings Will Likely Win This Match

Unbeaten Momentum

PBKS are the only team without a loss in IPL 2026 – 3 wins and 1 no result from 4 matches.

That kind of momentum is hard to stop, especially against a team on a three-match losing streak.

Explosive Top Order

Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya opening together is the most destructive partnership in IPL 2026.

Their 93/0 powerplay against SRH shows what they can do when conditions favour them – and Wankhede’s short boundaries are ideal.

MI’s Injury Crisis

No Rohit Sharma. A misfiring Bumrah. A depleted middle order.

This is the worst possible time for MI to play their most consistent opponent.

Psychological Edge from 2025

PBKS eliminated MI from IPL 2025 in Qualifier 2 – a result that still stings for Mumbai.

That confidence travels into this match.

Why Mumbai Indians Could Still Win

Home Advantage at Wankhede

MI have played the vast majority of their matches here and have a win rate above 60% at this venue historically.

The crowd, the conditions, and the familiarity all work in their favour.

One Innings to Turn It Around

MI’s batting has firepower – SKY, Tilak, Hardik, and Rickelton can all dominate.

On this flat pitch, it takes just one big innings to flip the script entirely.

Bumrah Due a Wicket-Taking Spell

Four wicketless games is a statistical anomaly for Bumrah.

At his home ground, with everything on the line, he’s due a performance that reminds everyone why he’s considered the best.

PBKS’ Away Record

Punjab Kings have historically struggled at Wankhede against MI’s power-hitting.

Defending or chasing totals here as an away side has been a consistent challenge.

MI vs PBKS Betting Odds and Win Probability

TeamBetting OddsImplied Win Probability
Mumbai Indians1.80 – 1.88~53–56%
Punjab Kings1.95 – 2.05~48–51%

Bookmakers have MI as slight favourites based purely on home advantage.

However, considering current form and Rohit’s absence, this is effectively a toss-up – and many analysts are leaning toward PBKS.

MI vs PBKS Match 24 Prediction: Who Will Win Today?

Predicted Winner: Punjab Kings

FactorMI EdgePBKS Edge
Head-to-Head17 wins in 34 matches17 wins (perfectly level)
Current Form1 win in 4 matches3 wins, 1 NR (unbeaten)
Home AdvantageWankhede fortressNeed to adapt to away conditions
Top OrderRohit ruled out; Rickelton in formPrabhsimran + Arya in fire form
Bowling FormBumrah wicketless in 4 gamesArshdeep struggling but improving
Psychological EdgeDesperation for home winWon IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 vs MI
Captain FormHardik under pressureIyer leading confidently
Key StatWankhede 60%+ win rate historicallyOnly unbeaten team in IPL 2026

This match is as close as they come on paper.

PBKS’ momentum, attacking top order, and MI’s injury crisis tip the scale in Punjab’s favour.

However, Wankhede has a habit of producing upsets and high-scoring thrillers that go down to the final over.

If MI’s batting clicks and they post 230+, they can defend it even with their wobbly bowling attack.

Predicted Margin: PBKS to win by 4–5 wickets (chasing) or 15–20 runs (if batting first).

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Final Verdict

This MI vs PBKS clash at Wankhede pits a struggling giant against an in-form challenger.

PBKS’ unbeaten run, destructive top order, and MI’s injury crisis give them a slight but meaningful edge.

However, MI have the squad depth and home advantage to script a turnaround if SKY and Bumrah deliver.

Expect a high-scoring thriller with Punjab Kings likely to win Match 24 and strengthen their position near the top of the IPL 2026 points table.

About the Author

Shreya Patil is a Mumbai-based documentary photographer turned cricket storyteller. Having covered local leagues through her lens, she now writes feature pieces at WPLeague, capturing the human side of women’s cricket beyond the boundary ropes.

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