IPL fans know that Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings always delivers an exciting match. This rivalry may not grab headlines like some others. But on the field, these two teams have fought hard against each other many times. The matches often go down to the wire. We have seen last-ball thrillers, Super Overs, and big partnerships that changed games completely.
Mumbai Indians hold a slight lead in this contest. They have won 17 out of 33 games against Punjab Kings. But Punjab Kings stay close with 16 wins. Just one match separates these two sides. That tiny gap keeps every fixture exciting and unpredictable.
This article breaks down the numbers. It revisits some classic games. It also highlights the players who have performed best when these teams clash.
Overall Record Between Both Teams
Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have played 33 IPL matches against each other as of IPL 2025. MI leads the series with 17 wins. PBKS has won 16 times. No match between them has ever been abandoned. One game ended in a tie in 2020. That match went to a Super Over. Punjab Kings won it in a nerve-wracking finish.
| Category | MI | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Won | 17 | 16 |
| Lost | 16 | 17 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Highest Score | 223 | 230 |
| Lowest Score | 87 | 119 |
Punjab Kings holds the record for the highest score in this rivalry at 230/5. Mumbai Indians have managed 223/3 as their best. Even in low-scoring games, PBKS has always posted or chased a competitive total. Both teams bring intensity to every encounter.
How Both Teams Have Fared Over the Years
Here is a look at recent results between these two sides. The list starts from the most recent match and goes back.
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 2025 | Ahmedabad | PBKS | 6 Wickets |
| 18 Apr 2024 | Chandigarh | MI | 9 Runs |
| 3 May 2023 | Chandigarh | MI | 6 Runs |
| 22 Apr 2023 | Mumbai | PBKS | 13 Runs |
| 13 Apr 2022 | Pune | PBKS | 12 Runs |
| 28 Sep 2021 | Abu Dhabi | MI | 6 Wickets |
| 23 Apr 2021 | Chennai | PBKS | 9 Wickets |
| 18 Oct 2020 | Dubai | PBKS | Super Over |
| 1 Oct 2020 | Abu Dhabi | MI | 48 Runs |
The rivalry began in 2008. Punjab Kings won 3 of the first 4 meetings. Mumbai Indians grew stronger over time and built their lead. The 2020 season stands out. Both teams met twice that year. MI won the first game by 48 runs. The second game ended in a tie. PBKS won the Super Over that followed.
In 2023, the teams split their two games. PBKS won by 13 runs in Mumbai. MI bounced back in Chandigarh with a 6-run victory. Recent seasons show PBKS closing the gap. This fixture now ranks among the most balanced in the league.
Matches That Fans Still Remember
Some games between MI and PBKS have left a lasting impression. Here are a few standout encounters.
Chandigarh 2023: Suryakumar Yadav Takes Charge
Mumbai Indians chased in this tight game at Mohali. They needed someone to step up. Suryakumar Yadav did exactly that. He smashed 66 runs off just 31 balls.
He kept MI ahead of the required rate throughout his innings. By the time he got out, the job was nearly done. MI won by 6 wickets. This innings showed why bowlers find it so hard to stop Suryakumar.
Mumbai 2019: KL Rahul Hits a Century
Punjab posted 197 runs in this match. KL Rahul scored a brilliant century. He hit 6 fours and 6 sixes during his knock. He also shared a 100-run partnership with Chris Gayle.
The target looked difficult. Mumbai chased it down with 3 wickets to spare. The match went deep into the final overs. It was a classic example of this rivalry.
Mumbai 2012: A Dramatic Finish
Punjab scored 168/3 in this game. Mumbai looked out of it at 137/6. They needed 32 runs from just 12 balls. Robin Petersen and Ambati Rayudu had other plans. Petersen smacked 14 runs off the first 3 balls of the penultimate over.
Rayudu finished things with a couple of big hits. Mumbai won by 4 wickets. This remains one of the most dramatic finishes between these two teams.
Dubai 2020: The Double Super Over
Both teams finished with the same score in regular time. The match went to a Super Over. That Super Over also ended in a tie. A second Super Over followed.
Punjab Kings won it. No other match in this rivalry has needed two Super Overs to find a winner. It remains a unique moment in IPL history.
Players Who Have Shaped This Rivalry
Certain players have made big contributions when MI and PBKS meet. Here are the top performers.
Leading Run Scorers
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | MI | 602 |
| Kieron Pollard | MI | 539 |
| Shaun Marsh | PBKS | 526 |
Rohit Sharma tops the run charts with 602 runs in this fixture. Kieron Pollard added 539 runs across multiple seasons. He often arrived at crucial moments to rescue or accelerate the innings. Shaun Marsh has been the most consistent batter for Punjab Kings with 526 runs.
Leading Wicket Takers
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | MI | 23 |
| Lasith Malinga | MI | 22 |
| Piyush Chawla | PBKS | 15 |
Jasprit Bumrah leads the wicket takers with 23 dismissals against PBKS. His 2024 spell stood out. He broke a key partnership at a decisive moment and gave away very few runs. Lasith Malinga took 22 wickets in this rivalry during his time with MI. Piyush Chawla has been the most reliable wicket-taker for Punjab Kings with 15 dismissals.
Notable Individual Performances
| Record | Stat | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Score (MI) | 104* | Hashim Amla | MI |
| Highest Score (PBKS) | 100* | Lendl Simmons | PBKS |
| Best Bowling (MI) | 5/21 | Munaf Patel | MI |
| Best Bowling (PBKS) | 4/15 | Marcus Stoinis | PBKS |
Hashim Amla scored 104 not out for MI. This stands as one of the biggest individual knocks in this matchup. Lendl Simmons hit a century for PBKS. Munaf Patel holds the best bowling figures for MI, 5/21.
What the Numbers Tell Us
| Feature | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 33 Matches | MI leads 17-16 |
| Biggest MI Win | 48 Runs (Abu Dhabi, 2020) | MI |
| Biggest PBKS Win | 76 Runs (Mohali, 2011) | PBKS |
| Most Runs (MI) | Rohit Sharma – 602 | MI |
| Most Runs (PBKS) | Shaun Marsh – 526 | PBKS |
| Most Wickets | Jasprit Bumrah – 23 | MI |
Mumbai Indians lead the head-to-head by just one win. This shows how close this rivalry has been over the years. MI has the stronger record in terms of winning margins and playoff success. But PBKS has shown they can compete with MI on any given day. The 2020 double Super Over and several last-over finishes over the years make this one of the most competitive fixtures in the IPL.
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Final Thoughts: MI Stays Ahead With 17 Wins Against PBKS In Close Rivalry
Mumbai Indians have the better record on paper. But this rivalry tells a different story when you look closer. Just one win separates these two teams over 33 meetings. Punjab Kings have shown time and again that they can challenge MI on any pitch and in any city.
Both squads change every season. New players arrive. New tactics emerge. But the intensity between MI and PBKS stays constant. Every time these two teams meet, something unexpected happens. That element of surprise keeps this fixture on every fan’s calendar. It is a rivalry that always delivers.
