The 24th match of IPL 2026 got off to a dramatic start at the iconic Wankhede Stadium as Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first against a Mumbai Indians side already reeling from a major setback.
In a significant blow to the five-time champions, star opener Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the contest due to a hamstring injury he sustained in MI’s previous match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The absence of the “Hitman” forces captain Hardik Pandya to reshuffle the top order on a venue famous for its high-scoring, batting-friendly pitches.
Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer had no hesitation in sending Mumbai in to bat under the lights, banking on his pace attack and the dew factor later in the evening. With clouds hovering and the Wankhede surface typically offering pace and bounce early on, the decision could prove crucial in a season where PBKS have shown renewed fight.
Spotlight on Mayank Rawat
Adding to the pre-match buzz, uncapped all-rounder Mayank Rawat is set to make his much-awaited IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians. The 26-year-old Delhi talent, who was picked up by MI for a modest ₹30 lakh at the 2026 auction, brings handy right-hand batting and off-break bowling to the table. Known for explosive cameos in domestic T20 cricket, Rawat now gets the ultimate platform to prove his worth in front of the roaring Wankhede crowd.
Mumbai Indians will be desperate for a strong batting performance to steady their campaign, while Punjab Kings, led by the aggressive “Sarpanch” Shreyas Iyer, will look to exploit the early advantage and notch up another vital win.
The match promises fireworks as two contrasting teams collide — one searching for consistency under pressure, the other riding momentum. Will the debutant Rawat seize his moment, or will Punjab’s bowling unit capitalize on MI’s missing talisman?
Stay tuned for live updates as the action unfolds at 7:30 PM IST.
MI Playing XI: R. Rickelton, Q. de Kock (wk), T. Varma, S. Yadav, H. Pandya (c), S. Rutherford, N. Dhir, M. Rawat, S. Thakur, J. Bumrah, D. Chahar.
PBKS Playing XI: P. Singh (wk), P. Arya, C. Connolly, S. Iyer (c), S. Singh, M. Stoinis, M. Jansen, X. Bartlett, V. Vijaykumar, A. Singh, Y. Chahal.
