Rohit Sharma, an emblematic figure in cricket, continues to leave an indelible mark on the sport. From his early days in international cricket to leading India in the forthcoming T20 World Cup, Rohit’s journey is a compelling story of growth and greatness.

Early Days in International Cricket

Rohit Sharma was pivotal in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory, a tournament that saw him evolve from a promising youngster to a crucial team player. His crucial fifty against South Africa showcased his budding talent.

See Also: Chamari Athapaththu leads Sri Lanka to achieve the highest chase in Women’s ODIs

Recently, a video shared by MI captured a nostalgic moment for Rohit as he reminisced over a picture from his youth, humorously noting his then struggle to grow a beard. This moment of reflection highlighted not only personal growth but also his extensive journey in professional cricket.

Rohit was seen in the video calling himself ‘a small boy’ and would also talk about how he had struggled to get a beard at that time.

“Small boy. No beard. I was struggling to get a beard,” said Rohit.

Rohit Sharma in IPL 2024

The 2024 IPL season has seen Rohit excel spectacularly. His performance, particularly a commanding 105 off 63 balls against CSK, underscored his enduring skill and pivotal role in the team, despite MI’s fluctuating success under new captaincy.

Record-Breaking Feats

Rohit’s innings against CSK was not just a display of dominance but also a record-setting moment, as he became the first Indian to hit 500 sixes in T20s. This milestone is a testament to his exceptional power-hitting capabilities.

Throughout the season, Rohit has been among the top run-getters, amassing 261 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 167.31, his best in IPL.

Rohit’s record-breaking performance against CSK also saw him surpass Suresh Raina to become the highest run-scorer in MI vs CSK encounters

Leadership and Legacy

As the 2024 T20 World Cup approaches, expectations are high for Rohit to lead India with the same fervor and success. His journey from a ‘small boy’ in cricket to a leading figure is not just inspiring but also a beacon for upcoming talents.

31st Match, IPL: Punjab Kings 214 for 8 (Curran 55, Bhatia 41, Chawla 2-15) beat Mumbai Indians 210 for 6 (Green 67, Suryakumar 57, Arshdeep Singh 4-29) by 13 runs

The Punjab Kings’ innings was failing. They were 105 for 4 after 14 overs, with Harpreet Singh Bhatia scoring 15 off 16 balls and Sam Curran scoring 8 off 12 balls. They ransacked 109, however, in the subsequent six overs. Curran had 55 off 29 and Jitesh Sharma had 25 off just seven, while Bhatia had 41 off 28. That increased Kings’ score to a formidable 214-8.

Accordingly, Mumbai Indians were generally in the challenge, because of Rohit Sharma’s 27-ball 44 and Cameron Green’s 43-ball 67. After that, Kings were in danger of losing the game due to Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering fifty. 

Arshdeep Singh rose to the occasion at that point

He excused Suryakumar in the eighteenth over, and afterward with 16 expected from six balls, he yielded only two while breaking the center stumps of Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera with consecutive deliveries.

Kings moved up to fifth place with eight points from seven games thanks to the 13-run victory. Truth be told, the main five groups all have eight focuses each, mainly the net run rate isolating them.

Rohit and Green keep Mumbai on track

Arshdeep dealt Mumbai an early blow by returning Ishan Kishan in the second over of the chase, prior to his heroics at the end. Rohit and Green didn’t let that stop them from establishing regular boundaries. In the powerplay, they hit five fours and three sixes to put Mumbai at 54 for 1 after six innings. Before Rohit scooped a return catch for Liam Livingstone in the tenth over, the pair had scored 76 runs off 50 deliveries.

Green and Suryakumar press on further

With Mumbai requiring 127 in the last ten overs, Suryakumar burned through no time. Before hitting Livingstone for a hat trick of fours, he swept his third ball for a four. Suryakumar had a typical innings, hitting 57 runs in 26 balls, 33 of which came from behind the square on the leg side.

Green also shifted into the next gear at the other end. He hit Rahul Chahar for a six and a four in the 15th over, increasing his half-century total and bringing it down to 66 from 30 balls.

MI vs PBKS Match Preview

The Mumbai Indians will host the mighty Punjab Kings in Match 31 at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. While the former team is coming into this match after defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 14 runs, the Punjab Kings were defeated by the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 24 runs. After a sluggish start, the Mumbai Indians have picked up the pace and won three straight games to put themselves in contention for a spot among the top four teams. Punjab Kings began their season with a win but have since lost three of their last four games.

MI vs PBKS Match Details

Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings – 31th Match

Venue: Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai

Date & Time: 22th April 2023 at 07:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Jio Cinema

MI vs PBKS Venue Stats

MI vs PBKS Pitch Report

From what we have seen so far in the tournament, this pitch is usually hard and dry, offering good bounce and carry to the ball. 

MI vs PBKS Weather Report

While there are no chances of rain, the temperature will be hot and humid. Humidity will peak at 85% whereas the temperature would range from 34 to 28 degrees.

MI vs PBKS Last Five Matches

MI vs PBKS Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

MI vs PBKS Probable Playing XIs:

Mumbai Indians Probable Playing XIs

Rohit Sharma(C), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan(Wk), Tilak Varma, Hrithik Shokeen, Nehal Wadhera, Piyush Chawla, Riley Meredith, Arshad Khan, Jason Behrendorff

Punjab Kings Probable Playing XIs

Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short, Shahrukh Khan, Shikhar Dhawan, Harpreet Brar, Jitesh Sharma (Wk), Rahul Chahar, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran (C)

Topmost Picks for MI vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Mumbai Indians

• Cameron Green – Having scored an impressive half-century in the last game, Green will be motivated to continue in the same fashion.
• Riley Meredith – He took 2 wickets in the previous game and proved to be an applaud-worthy impact substitute. The concern for Riley would be to contain his economy rate in the upcoming games.

Top Picks – Punjab Kings

• Prabhsimran Singh – He has expected everyone’s expectations in the 2023 edition, counter-attack each and every bowling lineup he has faced so far.
• Arshdeep Singh – Contesting for a place in India’s squad for this year’s World Cup, Singh will be looking to fight for the purple cap. So far, he has taken 9 wickets in the IPL 2023.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for MI vs PBKS Dream11 Team:

Ishan Kishan(VC), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan(C), Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Matthew Short, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Piyush Chawla, Arshdeep Singh, Jason Behrendorff

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for MI vs PBKS Dream11 Team:

Ishan Kishan, Prabhsimran Singh, Rohit Sharma(C), Shikhar Dhawan, Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Matthew Short, Sam Curran(VC), Riley Meredith, Arshdeep Singh, Jason Behrendorff

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma

Vice-captain – Ishan Kishan, Sam Curran

Wicketkeeper – Ishan Kishan

MI vs PBKS Probable Winners:

While the Punjab Kings do have solid assets at their disposal, we still predict that the Mumbai Indians are going to emerge victorious in Match 31 based on their squad depth and form in recent games. Not only have the latter team made changes according to every venue, but in each game, they have had different players who have stepped up to take responsibility to lead the team. Considering the team combination, Punjab Kings are expected to win this match.

The Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings both have had some interesting encounters in the past. After a start which would have had Mumbai nervous, they are now rolling, and with three wins in their last three games other sides could feel the heat, given Mumbai’s history, and their trophy cabinet. They have a lot of young talent, and the youngsters who got game time last season are finally reaping rewards, which will put pressure on Punjab, who just lost to RCB, and are now left with questions over their combination, and how they can include Sikandar Raza.

MI vs PBKS Match Details

Date: April 22nd 2023

Time:  7:30 PM IST

Venue: Mumbai

MI vs PBKS Weather Report

A warm evening is expected at Hyderabad.

MI vs PBKS Pitch Report

The Mumbai Track is taking some swing early on but remains decent to bat on, and will be better for sides batting second.

MI vs PBKS Head-to-Head

MI vs PBKS Predicted Playing XII

PBKS Playing XI

Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingston, Shah Rukh Khan, Sam Curran, Rishi Dhawan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Sharma

MI Playing XI

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera/Jason Behrondorff, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla

MI vs PBKS Key Players

Liam Livingstone

Livingstone is back, but is off to a slow start. His first game after an injury gap has not gone well, but if he does manage to find his range Punjab will be very pleased, and will look a lot stronger in the middle.

Rohit Sharma

A flat track and struggling bowling attack ahead leaves Rohit Sharma with a great chance of making an impact and reminding his worth as a batter in the IPL. He has the shots, his international form has been decent, and he will be waiting to play a good innings in a tournament which has not seen his impact in a while.

PBKS’s Top Five Batters This Season

MI’s Top Five Batters This Season

PBKS’s Top Five Bowlers This Season

MI’s Top Five Bowlers This Season

Rivalries to Watch out For

Liam Livingstone vs Piyush Chawla: Livingstone loves taking the bowlers on. With Chawla, an experienced leggie on the other side, it will be interesting to see how Livingstone takes him on, and what kind of tricks Chawla may have up his sleeve.

MI vs PBKS Match Tips

With home advantage, success in their batting line-up, and the manner of their victories, MI could start favorites to win in the upcoming game.

Match Prediction: Mumbai Indians Will Win the Match

Preview

MI Vs PBKS: Mumbai Indians are off to a poor start, but then again, when have they ever gotten off to a good start. They are zero in four games and have come from worse to go on to win the title under the same captain. Unlike the previous season though, this time, Mumbai Indians have some glaring holes, but a champion side is always a champion side, and it’s not going to be too long before we see a fightback.

The Punjab Kings are incredibly balanced. They have a talented top five, some wonderful finishers, and a good attack leader in Rabada. Vaibhav Arora also seems like a nice talent and looking at the results, PBKS looks very comfortable in the tournament.

Match Details

Match: MI Vs PBKS

Date: 13th April 2022

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Venue: MCA Stadium, Pune

Weather Report

The weather is clear with no chance of rain during the MI Vs PBKS game.

Pitch Report

Pune has seen some middling scores in the first innings with the ball gripping and also swinging a touch. There is a possibility of dew still and the second innings is a little easier for batting.

MI Vs PBKS Playing XI

MI Playing XI

Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (capt), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Dewald Brevis, Kieron Pollard, Fabian Allen, M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Jaydev Unadkat/Basil Thampi

See Also: Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer Form a Solid Spin Partnership: South Africa 2022 – Cricket Winner

PBKS Playing XI

Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh

Team News

Both teams do not have any injury concerns and are likely to remain unchanged.

Key Players

Tilak Varma

Mumbai Indians are known to unearth some wonderful talents and this season it looks like Tilak Varma is the one to make a statement. He is backed by the franchise, has got a fair rope, batting early, and batting well. He is decoding bowlers well and his consistency is a special factor that makes him a silent but dangerous player in the line-up as he learns to be the glue between Suryakumar Yadav and Pollard.

Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone is seeing the cricket ball like a football. Despite the scenario, he is just going for it and living on sixes. He has two fifties in the last two games, and both were explosive with a lot of sixes.

MI Vs PBKS Match Tips

PBKS are batting well and their aggression is getting them to decent scores. The bowling is a concern though as they lack consistency. Mumbai on the other hand is not too consistent in either aspect, but the likes of Bumrah may have an advantage against PBKS’s batters as they are aggressive and may face a little difficulty against a quality bowler. MI is a champion franchise as well and a powerful win from them is always around the corner.

Match Prediction: MI will win the match.