Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2, where a win would put them in the title clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). MI are the joint-most successful team in IPL, having won the tournament five times. They didn't start the IPL 2025 well, and lost four out of the first five games, however, they turned things around to qualify for the playoffs before beating Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator.

Ahead of the crucial game against PBKS, CSK spinner R Ashwin pointed out that MI always gets lucky during crunch matches. He highlighted an incident from the 2018 game against PBKS, when Ashwin was leading the side, and revealed that MI were 80-5 in 13 overs before the floodlights went off and they went on to score 180-200 runs when the play resumed.

“I've seen one thing against the Mumbai Indians, every time. In 2018, I was leading Punjab against MI. They were 80-odd for five wickets in 13 overs. They weren't anywhere in the game. Suddenly, the floodlights lost current and we had a 20-minute break. And when the game resumed, Kieron Pollard went ballistic and they went to smash around 180-200 runs," said Ashwin in the video with Vimal Kumar.

Ashwin added that MI "always get lucky.” “Of course, you earn your luck. But MI always gets lucky. We have to find out how they're getting so lucky,” said Ashwin.

Did Ashwin Accuse MI Of Match Fixing?

Ashwin's remarks were misinterpreted on social media, with a few fans claiming that the former India spinner accused MI of match-fixing. Ashwin did not mention the fixing word even once during his statement, and was speaking about how luck has played a role in the Mumbai Indians' juggernaut in the IPL. To say that Ashwin accused MI of match fixing doesn't fit well, as the claim lacks any concrete evidence.

Secondly, the incident that Ashwin highlighted saw MI win the game from a situation that looked nearly impossible. PBKS were 145-1 in 16 overs, in a chase of 189, before Jasprit Bumrah got two wickets in the 17th over while giving away just four runs to pull the game back. Bumrah followed it up with a stunning penultimate over, giving 6 runs and taking a wicket, leading MI to a win. The win was possible, not just because of luck, but the sheer class of Jasprit Bumrah.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket, IPL 2025, IPL Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap and around the world.