Punjab Kings (Photo Source: IPL)

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run against a struggling Mumbai Indians (MI) unit when the two sides meet at the historic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 16, in Match 24 of the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Apart from one rained-out game, PBKS have gone on to win all three of their games so far and are currently the only side in the tournament to have yet suffered a defeat.

Their most recent win came against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. 

Their outstanding start to the season means that PBKS have little to no reason to make any drastic changes to their playing XI apart from a freak injury or player unavailability. The domestic core of the side is extremely strong, paired with overseas players who support their Indian counterparts well. 

Here is PBKS’ strongest predicted XI vs MI, Match 24, IPL 2026: Top Order: Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C)

The PBKS top order is one of the most feared in the IPL so far this season.

Prabhsimran Singh, along with their designated Impact Sub, Priyansh Arya, gives them quick starts in the powerplay. Arya has been scoring at a strike-rate of 264.10 whilst opening the batting.

Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, is their main batter, with the skipper currently being his side’s leading run-scorer. He has scored 137 runs so far this season at a strike rate of 187.67.

Middle Order: Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen Shashank Singh of Punjab Kings (Source/Getty Images)

PBKS’ middle order have not had many opportunities to showcase their talent thanks to Cooper Connolly and Shreyas Iyer’s contributions up the order.

There are, however, some genuine match-winners in their ranks who can score quick runs in the death overs. 

Shashank Singh has an IPL strike-rate of 158.23, while Marcus Stoinis struck at 186.04 last season, his first in PBKS colours. 

There is always a downside to lower-order not getting enough balls to face in the tournament. Should their top-order have a day off, the likes of Shahshank, Nehal Wadhera, and others will come into bat underprepared.

Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal Vijaykumar Vyshak (Photo Source: IPL)

There has not been one standout bowler for PBKS this season, but they all have contributed in their own way, which has helped them secure three wins in the tournament. 

Vijaykumar Vyshak is currently their highest wicket-taker with five scalps to his name. He is closely followed by Xavier Bartlett (4) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3). 

PBKS’ predicted playing XI vs MI in Match 24, IPL 2026:

Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
 
Impact Player: Priyansh Arya