Marching like an unstoppable army, four times champions Mumbai Indians They have shot down everything in sight to reach the summit of the crash for the sixth time. Compared, Capitals of Delhi faltered after a brilliant start, fought from the brink of elimination, and now they are in their first final.
Already three times this season, MI has outscored the Capitals, the latest victory coming just five days ago when Mumbai thrashed them by 57 runs in the first standings. Having secured the crown in every odd year (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019), it looks like they are going to win it in an even year for the first time.
However, since when has cricket, or the sport in general, stayed true to the book of forms? In a year like no other, will we also see a new IPL champion? Make no mistake, anything can still happen in the hugely successful final in Dubai on Tuesday night.
Much of the Capitals’ aspirations to surprise ME will revolve around the fiery bat of Shikhar dhawan, who rebounded from a small crash to break a 78 of 50 game-winning balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in second place. The Dhawan Willow has breathed fire in the tournament. If India’s first game gets underway again, the capitals have every chance to set or chase a good total.
What gives the Capitals some confidence is that just in the nick of time, coach Ricky Ponting has played a smart card by promoting all-rounder Marcus Stoinis as a starter, providing Dhawan with his missing teammate at the top.
The duo, however, need to find a way to combat MI’s deadly new duo of Jasprit bumrahand Trent Boult. With 27 wickets at 14 [email protected] and an excellent economy rate of 6.71, Bumrah, easily the best T20 bowler in world cricket, is locked in a battle for the ‘Purple Cap’ with the trump card of bowling. of the Capitals, Kagiso Rabada, who with 29 [email protected], and an ER of 8.23, is currently using it.
The Capitals would still be shocked by how Boult’s twin attacks in the first over, and then Bumrah’s fiery yorker to Dhawan cut them to 0 out of three while chasing 201 last Thursday. They would hope the speedy Anrich Nortje, who has won 20 wickets in the tournament but went by 50 in four overs last time against MI, would provide better support for Rabada. Above all, they would want a pattern Shreyas Iyer, whose last five scores have been: 7, 25, 7, 12 and 21, to be up to par. The failures of Iyer and Rishabh Pant leave Shimron Hetmeyer a crucial cog in the wheel. R Ashwin’s brilliant spell, which pushed back IM’s rampant hitting in Q1, gives the Capitals hope they have the bowling to get the job done.
MI have more to worry about the suitability of their battle-weary garb, than the form of their opposition. Since returning from injury, the pattern Rohit sharma has shown signs of oxidation. On Monday, MI tweeted a video of Boult, who left the field after throwing just two overs in the last game, pitching on the nets, much to the relief of his fans.
KEY GAMES
Trent Boult vs. Shikhar Dhawan: Trent Boult has collected 22 wickets so far, most of it from the Powerplays with the new ball. Dhawan has given Delhi Capitals a good start, scoring more than 600 runs. One is a swashbuckling opener, the other can make the new cherry talk like a parrot. Whoever is successful here may well decide the contest.
Marcus Stoinis vs. Jasprit Bumrah: Following his success in opening batting in Qualifier 2, fan favorite Marcus Stoinis is almost certain to walk away with Shikhar Dhawan once again. Waiting for him will be world cricket’s number one T20 fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah will target Stoinis’ stumps, while the Australian off-roader will try to shake Bumrah with big hits.
Kagiso Rabada against Suryakumar Yadav: The intrepid Suryakumar Yadav is going to be put to the test by Rabada’s pace and rebounding. Surya has been innovative in his hitting game and a consistent contributor to Mumbai, while Rabada is the Purple Cap holder with 29 wickets. This battle is going to be exciting.
Anrich Nortje vs. Kieron Pollard: The great West Indian can only be stopped with a steady pace; which Anrich Nortje has in abundance. The South African clocked 156.22 km / h, the fastest ball in IPL history, earlier this season. Nortje is very adept at formulating the nose and feet, and that may put Pollard off. But if Nortje loses his length even by a fraction, the ball will fly out of the park.
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