Mumbai has discovered the game plan for Abu Dhabi
Delhi is the only IPL franchise currently active in IPL that does not have a negative profit-and-loss ratio against Mumbai Indians. Both teams have beaten each other 12 times. However, this is not the Delhi team that falters and returns on a Sunday. They have discovered ways to be consistent and win games. In fact, in many ways, in 2020, they have been similar to the defending champs.
Even though the points table has been very tight so far in this edition, MI and DC have clearly defended the way they have dominated and the way they have dictated the contests. Different players have contributed at different times and found ways to get out of troubled situations. This year there is much in common between the most successful and the most unsuccessful side in IPL history.
Despite injury concerns, both teams appear to be comfortable with their XIs, the only two teams to indulge in such a luxury so far in the tournament. However, MI has cracked the code for winning games in Abu Dhabi, having won their last three matches at the venue. Delhi, on the other hand, has only played one match so far in Abu Dhabi, with that being its only loss of the season. However, they have the arsenal in their quick attack to exploit the conditions, just like the Indians of Mumbai. In fact, a good reason for the success of the two teams thus far, aside from how most hitters have made significant contributions, is the fit paces they show off.
The difference, however, is that while MI would have had a five-day break before the game, DC would have had less than 48 hours, which includes travel, before facing the defending champions. Does that break break the IM momentum? Does that brief change leave DC players tired? Maybe both could be true, maybe neither, maybe neither of that would matter for those 240 balls.
Regardless, the outcome of the game should end the musical chairs between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi capitals for the top spot on the points table for at least a short time.
What to expect: The pitch was not quick for the KXIP-KKR game with the teams managing scores in the 160-170 run range. However, the Mumbai Indians have figured out ways to control their entrances and reach a total of close to 200 in Abu Dhabi, a plan that other teams had not found. The limits are not that easy, but there is scope to run a lot, which no team has relied heavily on. The temperature must be around 30 degrees and it will be a test for the players.
When: October 11, 2019, Sunday 7:30 PM IST
Where: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Team news:
Mumbai Indians: There is no news on the availability of Nathan Coulter-Nile. Even though the Game XI has done well enough to cement their spots, with four left-handers in the top seven for DC, there is scope for incorporating Jayant Yadav as a secondary option.
Probably XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (week), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar / Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Capitals of Delhi: With nothing broken, there is nothing to fix. Harshal Patel, DC’s weakest link, has done a reasonable job with his cutters thus far, if not with spells to win bowling matches. They are not likely to change.
Probably XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (week), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Did you know
- Rohit Sharma may have been fired only once by Ravi Ashwin in the 93 balls he faced in the IPL, but he has held back well, scoring at a strike rate of just 82.80
- Jasprit Bumrah has had the wood on Rishabh Pant, firing him four times on 25 balls, conceding just 26 runs.
- Both teams have preferred to hit first in this edition of IPL. Delhi’s only defeat was when they chased in the game against SRH. Mumbai ‘s only chase was against RCB, who lost in the Super Over.
- The Indians of Mumbai (Avg – 19.88 ER – 8) and Delhi Capitals (Avg – 21.63 ER – 8.34) have the two best paced attacks in IPL 2020 so far. They are comfortably ahead of the pack, with CSK (Avg – 29.25 ER 8.67) having the third most successful rhythm drummer.
What they say:
“It’s going to be a tough game because we play back-to-back games, and the last two have been the kind of games that have taken a lot from us. If you look, the numbers don’t suggest the margin, but it has taken a lot away from the players mentally and physically.” . – Vijay dahiya, Main Explorer of Delhi Capitals
“The good thing about our bowling attack is that we probably have a combination of traits: holding the race pace and these players can take terrain. A team like that (DC), it’s very difficult to stop them sometimes. They have a wonderful batting lineup. , similar to ours too, it should be a really good game. ” – James pattinson, Mumbai Indians Pacemaker
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