If one is to believe in Murphy’s Law, then Delhi Capitals should prepare for the worst. Most of the time this team, even in its oldest avatar as the Delhi Daredevils, has had to deal with the worst possible situation when playing in the Indian Premier League play-offs or knockouts. The franchise reached the semifinals of the first two editions. In 2008 it was a Shane Watson special, while in 2009 it was an Adam Gilchrist show that put an end to Delhi’s glittering campaigns before the summit crash.
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This prompted BCCI to reorganize the playoffs when they introduced playoffs to reward the best performing teams in the league phase. Delhi finished at the top of the list in 2012 again, but squandered its chance by losing both qualifiers. Last season saw the new franchise enter the play-offs after a seven-year gap and they even won the tie against SRH. But the campaign ended with a docile loss to CSK.
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But this team has continued to build on last season’s success and showed great form at the start of the season, churning out a string of wins to top the points table midway through. But things started to go pear-shaped from then on and only a win over RCB in their last match has secured the team a second place in the league stage.
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They face defending champions who have seemed by far the most balanced and fit team. The Mumbai Indians beat DC in their two league stage outings and that too convincingly. So when Shreyas Iyer and his men enter the field on Thursday, they would know the test that awaits them. With the spray making an impact, the launch will be crucial, but more than that will be the form of DC’s higher order.
Dhawan showed signs of getting back in shape against RCB, while Rahane played a major blow. But he is not an impact player. What DC needs is a big tackle from Prithvi Shaw or Rishabh Pant, both hitters who can take the game away from the opposition. With Boult pitching superbly on the power play, Mumbai captains Rohit and Pollard have had the luxury of bringing Bumrah to the attack in the middle, disrupting plans for various teams.
If DC can take Boult out of the equation by attacking him, then Bumrah might have to be brought into the power play and that means the intermissions will be thrown by Pattinson, Chahar, and Krunal. This is where Pant or Stoinis can make an impact before Bumrah returns for the Death Over.
Delhi must choose which bowler to chase and plan a carnage accordingly. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, would expect both Boult and Bumrah to do the usual and break DC’s back hurting the higher order.
When it comes to Delhi bowling, both Rabada and Nortje were back in shape against RCB and Ponting would expect a big-hearted show from these two men. Axar Patel’s economy has been a major help in the environment, but what Delhi would desperately need are windows from Ravichandran Ashwin.
Downtown Mumbai is packed with solid players like Surya, Hardik, Ishan Kishan and Pollard. These are hitters who cannot be shut up, and therefore Delhi will have to be on the offensive. Daniel Sams was poor against RCB and Delhi may come as a surprise by giving Sandeep Lamichhane a shot. The Nepalese leggie is an option for taking wicket and an additional roulette would mean less pace to work for the hard hitting Mumbai middle order.
It is the Delhi match to be chasing and they need to make the right moves to destabilize the reigning champions.
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