Ahmedabad pitch gives PBKS the edge according to Varun Aaron

    Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron believes the batter-friendly surface at Ahmedabad should give a slight advantage to Punjab Kings, especially if they win the toss and can bat first.

    Priyansh Arya Punjab Kings 2025 IPL Priyansh Arya Punjab Kings 2025 IPL

    PBKS fell into the second qualifier match after being defeated by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the qualifying match earlier in the week.

    Despite their strong batting performances throughout the season, it was the batters that let them down against RCB after batting first and setting a miserly total of 101 which was easily chased down, but Aaron is confident that won't be a problem again this time around.

    "I think the Ahmedabad surface, first of all, is going to suit Punjab. It'll suit both teams, but Punjab more as such, because they rely heavily on both the openers," Aaron Told on ESPNcricinfo.

    "I think it's good that they qualified in the top two. They've got that one game out. At least their young Indian contingent have seen a high-pressure, knockout kind of a game.

    "And now they know what it's all about. What they have to do and what they don't have to do.

    "I'm sure Ricky Ponting has been in there. And now they can reset and go into this game. Like Shreyas Iyer said [after Qualifier 1], they lost a battle but they haven't lost the war yet."

    Former Australian international Tom Moody believes the key for PBKS will be in how quickly they can bounce back from the disappointment of the first qualifier loss.

    "Well, they've had a little bit of time to park that disappointment," Moody told ESPNcricinfo.

    "And they just need to refocus on what's made them good this year. What is it that has made them really a threat throughout the year? And obviously, it's a lot of their uncapped players have punched well above their weight.

    "It's continuing to surround them full of confidence and faith. And if they do that on a good batting surface, there's no doubt they'll be competitive.

    "But let's face it, Mumbai are going to be coming in red-hot after a good performance up in Chandigarh. And have sort of, in a way, washed away all the negative aspects of their season.

    "Whether it be individual form, the losses that they had early on in the tournament. They're very good at the business end."