Mumbai Indians will look to get on a roll at the business end of the tournament. They gained a much-needed win over Punjab Kings. MI will be up against Delhi Capitals, a side against whom they had lost earlier this season. This clash at the low-scoring Sharjah promises some good attritional cricket, lets analyse more about MI vs DC match.

MI vs DC: Form Preview

Are MI back in the race?

Mumbai Indians suffered 3 back to back defeats after landing in UAE. But it was the loss against RCB that stung them hard. MI bounced back in their own inimitable style against Punjab. The return to form of Hardik Pandya augurs well for MI heading into the final stages of the tournament. Even though they are better placed than the likes of Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, MI can ill afford a misstep at this juncture. They will be up against the second-ranked DC. It won’t get any better than this. 

Do DC struggle in slow wickets?

Delhi Capitals looked unstoppable in the truer wickets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But they looked completely out of sorts in Sharjah. The slow low nature of the wicket didn’t aid the Capitals. Their batsmen were found wanting on such a pitch. Even their bowlers who had dominated opposition up until then were unsure about their lengths. They will have their task cut out against a resurgent MI side baying for blood.

MI vs DC: Favourites?

MI had a reassuring win over Punjab in the last game. They will be quietly confident about their chances against Delhi in Sharjah. On the other hand, DC looked out of sorts playing in Sharjah. The slow nature of the wicket didn’t suit their gameplay. They will be looking to put in a better performance. MI at the moment seem to have that extra edge heading into this contest.

Which players will be match-winners in this game?

Jayant Yadav has a favourable match-up against Shikhar Dhawan. It will be interesting to see whether MI plays him in this game.

Rishabh Pant is adept at playing spin. He will be the key to tackle the likes of Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya in the middle overs.

X-factor player:

Suryakumar Yadav is going through a lull currently. He will be up for it against DC.

There has been a lot of buzz around Ravichandran Ashwin. He will like to make the ball talk against MI.

Probable Playing XI:

Mumbai Indians predicted XI:

Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah

Delhi Capitals predicted XI:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw/ Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada/ Amit Mishra, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan

What do stats say about MI vs DC?

MI and DC have played 29 IPL games against each other.

DC has won 13 matches. MI has won 16 games.

MI’s highest score against DC is 218. DC’s highest score against MI is 213. 

MI’s lowest score against DC is 92. DC’s lowest score against MI is 66.

Pitch:

Sharjah pitch has behaved strangely. It hasn’t been a true surface. Batsmen have failed to get going. Teams will find it difficult to chase a par score in these conditions.

Weather Report:

A high of 38 degrees and a low of 30 degrees is expected. There are no chances of rain. This being a day game there won’t be any dew.

Ground stats:

Teams batting first have won 60% of the games at this venue. But of late owing to the dew, teams have preferred chasing at this venue. This season the average scores have come down drastically. A score of around 150+ will be challenging at Sharjah.

StumpsandBails verdict:

MI find themselves in an unfamiliar spot this year. But expect them to come good against DC.