Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians: A Timeline of an Electrifying IPL Rivalry

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen many intense rivalries over the years, but few have been as unpredictable and exciting as the one between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI). While Mumbai Indians are the most successful IPL franchise with five titles, the Punjab Kings have played the role of the underdog spoiler more often than not. Lets explore the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) Timelinein the PBKS vs MI rivalry.

20082010: Early Days, Even Competition

In the early seasons, the rivalry was fairly balanced. Both teams exchanged wins in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, MI began to show signs of becoming a powerhouse, defeating Punjab convincingly in their encounters. However, Punjabs spirited performance in close games showed their resilience.

2013: Rohit Sharma Takes Charge

2013 was a turning point for MI as Rohit Sharma took over captaincy mid-season. Under him, MI became more dominant. They beat Punjab once in the league stage, but PBKS managed to win a high-scoring thriller at home, thanks to David Millers aggressive knock. This marked the beginning of a fierce competition.

20152017: Mumbais Dominance

During these seasons, MI often had the upper hand. With a core group of Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, and Jasprit Bumrah, MI overpowered PBKS, who were struggling with inconsistency and frequent captaincy changes.

2019: KL Rahuls Heroics

PBKS, led by KL Rahul, began building a stronger squad. In 2019, Punjab beat Mumbai in Mohali with Rahul scoring an unbeaten 71*. However, MI returned the favor at Wankhede, winning a last-ball thriller where Kieron Pollard smashed a quickfire 83 (off 31). These nail-biters made the rivalry exciting again.

2020: The Double Super Over

One of the most iconic moments in IPL history occurred in the 2020 season in Dubai. The match went into a Super Over after both teams were tied at 176. That Super Over also tied, resulting in a second Super Over a first in IPL history! Punjab eventually chased down the target, with KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Mohammed Shami starring. This game is etched in IPL folklore and defines the drama of PBKS vs MI.

20212023: Neck-and-Neck Encounters

Both teams remained evenly matched in recent seasons. PBKS continued to play aggressively under new leadership while MI experimented with their lineup. In 2023, Punjab pulled off a big win at Wankhede, scoring over 215 runs. Arshdeep Singh defended the total with a brilliant final over, breaking MIs chase momentum.