Predictar mi wi wi wvi vs pbks: tilak varma frente a los playoffs preferidos en IPP 2025

Nobody would’ve thought that the Mumbai Indians (MI) would qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs despite losing four out of their first five games. But they did. The Hardik Pandya redemption as MI captain was completed when they knocked out the Delhi Capitals (DC) to qualify. But as destiny would have it, MI now have a golden chance to end up in the top two!

With Gujarat losing both their last games and RCB too failing to win against LSG, Mumbai is just one win away from going on top of the IPL 2025 points table. But against them is another team, aiming for the same ambitions. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been perhaps the most well-rounded unit, and they offer a genuine threat to MI. It would be interesting to see if MI make any changes to their winning combination just before the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Mumbai Indians to bat Tilak Varma at No. 3?

Mumbai Indians (MI) may not need to chop and change their lineup just before the playoffs. However, what makes things interesting is that fact that the likes of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch won’t be available for them after this game. MI signed Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka and Richard Gleeson as their “temporary” replacements. MI can use the likes of Bairstow and Asalanka to get them game time before the playoffs but it remains highly unlikely.

What can happen, however, is the promotion of Tilak Varma. After three 300+ run seasons, the last two at a strike rate of 150+, Tilak has had an ordinary IPL 2025 so far. The addition of Will Jacks has pushed him to number five, a place where he has averaged 29.17 and at a mediocre SR of 129.63. In fact, the southpaw has recorded a strike rate of above 125 in just two out of his ten IPL 2025 innings.

Tilak, batting at No. 5 after Jacks and Suryakumar Yadav, has seen his strike rate against spin drop significantly, from 157 in 2024 to 130, often putting MI in a tough spot at the end of the innings. His recent knock of 27 off 27 balls was just another example. Now, Pandya can use Tilak at number three, where he has excelled for Team India. MI are anyway going to lose Will Jacks in the playoffs, and hence it would be practical for them to give Tilak much-needed game time at the top of the order.

Predicted MI Playing XI vs PBKS

List of overseas players for MI at IPL 2025 playoffs

• Jonny Bairstow
• Charith Asalanka
• Richard Gleeson
• Trent Boult
• Mitchell Santner
• Reece Topley
• Bevon Jacobs
• Mujeeb ur Rahman