Delhi to play MI on Saturday after securing playoff berth
Delhi Capitals will play defending champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday. Regardless of the outcome, Rishabh Pant’s men are through to the playoffs for the Indian Premier League 2021.
This will be the first of the double-header game for the day. It will begin at 3:30 pm (IST) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Expected playing XI
DC
Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan
MI
Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
Probable best performers
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer has made batting at No. 3 made easy since his return from the shoulder blow that he sustained against England in the T20I series at home.
The former Delhi skipper has already bagged a Player of the Match trophy in the three games he has featured in the UAE-leg of the competition.
His addition has helped DC continue their momentum despite a form slump for the openers. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw have not fired up in the UAE like they did in the India-leg.
This is where Iyer has been able to conceal their failures with his superb knocks in the middle overs.
Avesh Khan
Being Delhi’s leading wicket taker in the season, Avesh Khan will be a prime threat to the MI batting line-up. The right-arm pacer has knack for claiming wickets of the big guns in his first spells.
He has notched 18 wickets, just behind leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far, Harshal Patel. His 7.31 economy shows that Avesh has made it an uphill task for the opposition batters to spank him for runs in powerplay overs.
His inch-perfect length has helped him match talents of his South African colleagues Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
Hardik Pandya
Pandya has not been bowling in this tournament, but he has shown glimpses of his batting display already. The all-rounder won Mumbai Indians a crucial clash against Punjab Kings in the UAE with the bat.
His and Kieron Pollard’s wickets will be monumental for MI to go big in death overs.
Match prediction
Delhi may have lost in their clash to Kolkata Knight Riders, but they’re still a well-rounded, dominant unit. Pant’s unit is the favourite to win this year’s trophy after losing the last campaign’s final.
Mumbai Indians have not been subliminal throughout the season. They have put up average performances which is below the standards of a reigning champion.
Delhi Capitals should not have a hard time strolling past MI for a victory. DC have already reached the playoffs, so losing this contest will not affect their qualification anyhow, but a win will help them get more confidence.
