The stage is set for four-time champions Mumbai Indians to block horns for the fourth time this season with the Capitals of Delhi, who are still looking for their inaugural IPL title. It is a clash of the two teams that finished as the top two teams after the league stage.
In three previous encounters this season, including Qualifier 1, Mumbai have completely beaten Delhi.
The Bombay Indians, four times champions, have an incomparable heritage. The team led by Rohit Sharma entered their sixth IPL final after beating Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals recorded a 17-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Eliminator to enter their first IPL final. .
Who will be under the most pressure? A team that has played five finals before or the one that is in its first clash at the top of the IPL.
There is no doubt that the Mumbai Indians are a complete team. But what has Delhi done well this season that has brought them within a victory of breaking a 12-year curse in the IPL?
It has been a combination of factors. From Shikhar Dhawan returning to the Delhi fold and having his best IPL season with the bat, to the new pair of balls from Kagiso Rabada (current purple cap holder with 29 wickets) and Anrich Nortje hunting in pairs, to Marcus Stoinis delivering with both bat. and ball at crucial moments, to R Ashwin in his crafty prime, to Axar being very economical, to the legendary Ricky Ponting bringing so much to the table as head coach and of course the 25-year-old. Shreyas Iyer, the youngest captain in the league who is not put off by the daunting prospect of captaining older players.
IYER AND THE CHALLENGE OF CAPTAIN
Iyer has done what previous Delhi captains failed to do. Delhi has been led by stalwarts like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, David Warner, Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor and others, but none of them were able to help Delhi Capitals overcome the play-off hurdle.
(Shreyas Iyer – Photo by BCCI / IPL)
Iyer took over the captaincy of Delhi midway through the 2018 season when Gautam Gambhir suddenly decided to step down as skipper. Last season in 2019, Delhi made the playoffs after six years, finishing third after the league stage (behind Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings only in NRR, with 18 points). They defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 2 wickets in Qualifier, but lost to MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets in Qualifier 2.
This time Delhi finished second in the points tally after the league stage (16 points) and headed to Qualifier 1, where it suffered a 57-run beating at the hands of the Mumbai Indians.
Madhya Pradesh cricketer Naman Ojha, who played for Delhi in the IPL previously in four seasons, praised Iyer for his leadership skills.
“Delhi has played wonderfully. I would rate his performance as outstanding. All credit to Shreyas Iyer. He is young and dynamic and leads from the front. It is his hard work that has paid off,” Naman Ojha told Timesofindia.com.
PONTING – THE BRAIN BEHIND DC’S SUCCESS
Former Australia captain Ponting dominated 22 yards for more than a decade and a half. The legendary batter and captain was a part of up to three Australian World Cup winning teams. Last season, with Ponting as head coach, Delhi reached the IPL playoffs for the first time in six years (since 2012). This time they have entered their first IPL final.
(Ricky Ponting – Photo by DC)
A masterstroke from Ponting and the team’s direction was to push Stoinis up the order, to open up the hitting with Shikhar Dhawan, after repeated failures by Prithvi Shaw. In Qualifier 2, Stoinis and Dhawan added 86 for the opening wicket and gave DC the perfect launching pad to achieve a great score.
Former Indian cricketer Chetan Sharma feels that Iyer is learning a lot from Ricky Ponting, who will always be considered one of the best captains today.
“Iyer is a young boy, he is learning and playing well. He has the backing of Ponting, one of the best cricketers we have seen. Iyer has learned a lot from Ponting. He is improving over time,” Sharma said.
WHO WILL BE UNDER THE MOST PRESSURE?
Despite DC having another strong showing this year, the Mumbai Indians will reach today’s final as the overwhelming favorites.
Not only do they have the experience of playing IPL finals before, but they have a tried and tested solid team and have not lost to Delhi in three previous encounters this season.
(Photo: MI Twitter)
Chetan Sharma, however, feels that Delhi has the luxury of playing freely, with nothing to lose.
“The pressure will be on the defending champions. Delhi will be optimistic because it is their first final. They are fresh and energetic. Mumbai will be under pressure. You can be confident, but you cannot have too much confidence in cricket. Delhi should play to their strength and Give their best. They shouldn’t think about the outcome at all, “Sharma told TimesofIndia.com.
“There is no doubt that Mumbai has strong players. From Kock to Rohit to Bumrah, they have match winners. But I think Delhi bowling will have an advantage over Mumbai. (Anrich) Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, (Marcus) Stoinis and Axar are Awesome. Delhi can use Ashwin’s experience. As for hitting, Mumbai has star hitters. Apart from Dhawan, Shreyas and Stoinis, other hitters need to show up and score runs for Delhi. Pant should click into the final, “he said the former cricketer from India.
TAKE ON EXPERTS
Both Ojha and Sharma support Delhi. According to them, Mumbai, which has four titles to its name, has the advantage over Delhi, but Iyer’s team can turn the tables in the summit clash. The duo chose Dhawan as the key player in the title clash.
Naman Ojha: “Mumbai has the advantage over Delhi due to their previous title-winning performances. They have experience and have four titles. (But) there are players who can turn the tables for Delhi. I would pick Shikhar and Rabada. They will be the key in the final against the Mumbai Indians. ”
Chetan Sharma: “I’m supporting Delhi. Let’s be very honest, it’s going to be a tough match for Delhi because they already lost to Mumbai in Q1, but let’s not weaken them. It’s T20 and Delhi has played very well in the tournament. a strong and deserving team, that’s why they are in the final. You need a day in the T20, that’s it. Just keep your plans and strengths, that’s all I want to say to the capitals of Delhi. ”
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