IPL 2025 Qualfier 2: Will Yuzvendra Chahal play the PBKS vs MI match?

Losing out on the win in Qualifier 1, Punjab Kings now find themselves in a do-or-die situation. To keep thriving for their maiden title glory, Punjab Kings must beat the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2. A heavy defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur pushed PBKS down into Qualifier 2. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, tracked their way up to this stage by defeating Gujarat Titans in a thrilling Eliminator. The action now shifts to Ahmedabad, where the PBKS vs MI clash will stage the penultimate fixture of the season. RCB sits in the final, waiting to find out their opponents in the title clash. Meanwhile, PBKS are awaiting a positive update on the fitness of their ace spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Punjab Kings likely to play Yuvendra Chahal in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians

Yuzvendra Chahal has been absent from the PBKS Playing XI for their last three matches. Following the PBKS vs DC match, which Punjab lost by 6 wickets, it was informed that a wrist injury kept Chahal out of the game. Next up, Yuzvendra Chahal, who has scalped a hat-trick this season, still couldn't get over the injury to play the last league stage match. Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians in that fixture to claim a Top 2 finish for the IPL 2025 playoffs. What was initially stated as a slight niggle, moreover, kept Chahal away from the all-important Qualifier 1 against RCB in Mullanpur. Now, as their last chance to stay alive in the race to win the maiden title arrives, reports suggest that PBKS will play Chahal in Ahmedabad.

On the eve of the Qualifier 2 clash against Mumbai Indians, Yuzvendra Chahal was seen hitting the nets. While his right wrist was protected, the spinner was thoroughly involved in the training session with the squad. Further reports suggest that Punjab Kings are likely to push for his participation in the match even if the spinner doesn't attain 100% fitness. In 12 matches, the leg-spinner has scalped 12 wickets at an economy of 9.56. Moreover, Chahal boasts glistening records against Mumbai Indians, with 29 wickets in 20 matches, including a four-wicket haul. 

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are working around the injury of Deepak Chahar. The seamer missed the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Gujarat Titans. Dealing with the exits of primary overseas picks and the injury to Chahar, MI played Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Raj Angad Bawa in the combination against GT. The Playing XI fit perfectly right, with Bairstow making an impressive impact in the powerplay and Gleeson defending 24 in the last over, despite bowling just half of the over due to a cramp. However, the stakes are as high as they get in Qualifier 2, and both PBKS and MI would hope to field their best Playing XI in Ahmedabad on Sunday.