New Delhi, May 26
Ahead of a high stakes IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the Shreyas Iyer-led side has to really work hard on sorting their death bowling issues.
PBKS find themselves in an IPL playoffs after 11 years and a win over MI at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday will make them the first team to secure a top-two finish in the points table. But Iyer & Co. are coming after failing to defend 206 against Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
What will also keep PBKS worried is that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal hasn’t been available due to a small niggle. “Punjab Kings’ batting looks good — that’s one area that’s fairly organised. Bowling is the worry.”
“Let’s hope Chahal gets fit quickly because when you have someone like Omarzai bowling the 18th over and Stoinis the 20th, you leave yourself open to being defeated in tight matches. That’s an area they really need to work on,” said Manjrekar on JioHotstar.
In Chahal’s absence against DC on Saturday, uncapped left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar stepped up to pick 2- 41, but it wasn't enough for PBKS to avoid a defeat. As of now, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the leading wicket-taker for PBKS this season with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 8.70 in 13 matches.