Dubai: Down by three back-to-back losses, Delhi Capitals would like to bring their campaign back on track as they face Mumbai Indians (MI) in what promises to be a cracking encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (October 31) I the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
After CSK’s last-ball win over KKR, Mumbai Indians became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in IPL 2020. However, it’s not a dead rubber for Mumbai Indians, as the defending IPL champions look to seal a top-two spot that will give them two opportunities to reach the final.
MI’s batting unit has been held together admirably by Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is facing an injury concern. Stand-in captain Kieron Pollard has led his team well, and his management of Jasprit Bumrah’s overs has been exemplary. Bumrah, along with Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, will be key against a star-studded DC batting unit.
Delhi Capitals are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in IPL 2020; one win in their two remaining games should suffice in that regard. Despite topping the points table for most of the IPL 2020 season, DC come into this game on the back of three consecutive losses, something that will be a reason of anxiety for Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting. Nevertheless, the Capitals look well-equipped on paper although they will want Rishabh Pant to strike form as soon as possible, as the southpaw’s lack of runs has had an impact in the middle order.
The last time these two teams faced off in IPL 2020, De Kock and Suryakumar Yadav led MI to an emphatic win. However, without the presence of captain Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai Indians could be on their toes against Kagiso Rabada, who currently owns the Purple Cap in IPL 2020. With both teams eyeing a top-two finish, we should be in for another entertaining game as the final weekend in IPL 2020 kicks off with this fixture.
Squads:
Delhi Capitals: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Tushar Deshpande.
Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (WK), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard (C), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.
