The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as Punjab Kings (PBKS) prepare to face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the second Qualifier. A fierce competition has been witnessed between these two teams this season, and this crucial match, scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday, will determine which team advances to the final to challenge Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Both teams are vying for the coveted spot, making this a winner-takes-all battle.

Earlier in the season, during the league stage, Punjab Kings delivered a dominant performance against Mumbai Indians. This crucial victory not only showcased their strength but also helped them secure a top-two finish in the league standings. Despite topping the table, Punjab Kings faced a setback in Qualifier 1, losing to RCB, which now grants them this second opportunity to reach the final. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, enter this contest with momentum, having showcased excellent form in their knockout eliminator match against Gujarat Titans, which they won by 20 runs. Now, Hardik Pandya's team will be eager to avenge their earlier league stage loss to PBKS.

The match will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a venue with a significant history in the IPL. In 43 matches played here, the record is evenly split, with teams batting first winning 21 times and teams batting second also winning 21 times, with one match ending in a tie. The highest score recorded at this venue was by Punjab Kings, who posted 243/5 against Gujarat Titans in 2025, while the lowest was Gujarat Titans' 87 all out against Delhi Capitals in 2024.

Regarding the toss factor at the Narendra Modi Stadium, analysis of the 43 matches shows that captains who won the toss chose to bat on 12 occasions, resulting in 5 wins and 7 losses. Conversely, captains opted to field first 31 times, leading to 14 wins, 16 losses, and 1 tie.

The pitch report for the current IPL 2025 season at Ahmedabad suggests that teams batting first have held a distinct advantage. The average first innings score in the seven games played here this season has been a formidable 221. Furthermore, chasing has proven to be a difficult task, with only one team successfully chasing down a target this season: Gujarat Titans managed to score 204 runs to defeat Delhi Capitals. The toss for this crucial Qualifier 2 is scheduled for 7 PM IST, and the conditions are expected to play a significant role in the strategies of both Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians.