The Red Carpet rolled out, the Trophy out on display. Yes, we have reached the climax of the Indian Premier League 2020. The stage is now all set for the much awaited grand Finale of the IPL as the four times champions Mumbai Indians take on the Delhi Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium.
The road to the finale has been rather easy for the defending champions as they made easy work of Delhi Capitals in the Qualifier 1. Despite the captain and Vice- captain of the MI being dismissed ducks, the spirited Mumbai side managed to notch up a huge total of 200. The Delhi Capitals batsmen seemed rather clueless in the chase and ended up on the losing side by 57 runs.
But the DC finishing second on table ensured that they would be having one more bite at the cherry and they did make sure they made use of it as they managed to triumph over the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Both the teams seem to be in really good shape coming into the match and the DC would feel pumped up after a clinical win against the Men in Orange. But can the Delhi side continue their winning momentum?
The two teams have faced each other three times in this season and it has always been the Mumbai Indians who came on top. But this is a different day. Can the Delhi Capitals claim their maiden title? Or will it be Rohit Sharma and Co. who claim their record 5th title?
Head to Head
Matches Played- 27, MI- 15, DC- 12, N/R- 0
Team News
Men in Blue have not reported any injuries and in what seems to be obvious, the MI will be more than happy to feature the same magical Xl that have been producing wonderful results for them in this season.
Delhi Capitals on the other side came up with an excellent decision of promoting the Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis top of the order and it did work well in the favor. The decision seems to have come at the right time and they will be hoping it clicks again.
With the team producing a clinical win over the Sunrisers, the management will not be looking to fiddle with the combination and the same Xl that took the field on Sunday is most probably expected to be seen again.
Pitch and Conditions
The previous encounter between MI and DC showed us the pitch did have something for the batsmen as some deliveries came on to bat very well, not taking anything away from the brilliant batting of the MI players. Said that, the pitch has definitely slowed down and with the due coming into play later in the evening, the batting first should at least be looking at a score of 180 to fancy their chances.
The conditions are once again in favor of the sport as clear skies are expected throughout the day and no spoil- sport is expected to play whatsoever. The temperatures are a bit on the higher side as compared to the last couple of few weeks. The maximum being 32 degree and the minimum in the 23- 24 degree range. The humidity is expected to float around the 58 percent mark at peak.
Probable Playing Xl
Mumbai Indians (MI): Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Delhi Capitals (DC): Marcus Stoinis, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Dubey, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Key Battles
Trent Boult (MI) vs Shikhar Dhawan (DC)
The kiwis spearhead has been one of the pillars of the Mumbai side this season. Along with him is the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has led the pace attack for MI side wonderfully. The duo will once again be looking to run through the batting line- up of DC. Trent Boult could definitely trouble the southpaw with swingers and no doubt the kiwi pacer would be looking to claim the big fish.
While the DC opener has been in stunning form this season. But the inconsistency in his batting has been a major issue for the DC team. He has been either out on single- digits or he goes big. DC will be hoping he can once again go big on the D- Day. Dhawan is 68 runs behind the orange cap holder KL Rahul. Can he get past him?
Can the Southpaw get his team past the line? Or will the kiwis star make his stay at the crease a short one?
Rohit Sharma (MI) vs Ravichandran Ashwin (DC)
200 IPL games. The MI captain will be playing his 200th IPL game and what can be better than celebrating it by winning their 5th IPL title? The opener after his return from injury has not been in a great touch and has not yet crossed the double- digits. But it is a matter of few deliveries as we are talking about one of the best Batsmen in limited- overs cricket. Can He strike form in this epic encounter?
The foxy off- spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be thriving to bowl to him once again as last time the spinner had the last laugh. Rohit Sharma likes to start his innings with the pacers but the usage of Ashwin in the powerplay did seem to be a smart move by the DC. They are sure to follow the same trend. But can this time Rohit outsmart the bowler?
Will Rohit Sharma make his 200th game an unforgettable one? Or will the off- spinner outsmart him once again?
Prediction
A very tough one as the finals is all about which team holds their nerve. Said that, the Mumbai Indians have found themselves in this position several times. While, the Delhi Capitals will be playing their first ever finals. On sheets the Men in Blue look much stronger than the Delhi side as the MI are very well balanced in their divisions.
The conditions might be in favor of the Mumbai Indians because of the high caliber power hitters they have in their side. Also, the fact that they have not defeated the Mumbai Indians in the three encounters this season would be running at the back of the heads of Delhi players.
Given the conditions, experience and form of the team, Mumbai Indians seem to have the edge in this encounter.
Cricwizz predicts Mumbai Indians to win the IPL 2020
