The IPL playoffs will begin with a heated match as Mumbai Indians will take on the Delhi Capitals.
The stakes are high as the winner will solidify their seat in the IPL 2020 finals. Even though the loser of the match will get an extra game to qualify for the finals, the tensions are still very high as both the teams would look to seal that spot in the finals.
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions have looked flawless in their dominating reign this year. They have struck a perfect combination where every player knows and executes his roles. Therefore despite the withdrawal of Lasith Malinga and the injury of skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, they have been able to sustain their winning spree.
The comeback of Rohit Sharma will add more stability to the already strong MI lineup. Quinton De Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan have been in sublime form. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard have been finishing the inning really well. Not to forget, three of their bowlers are in the list of top 10 highest wicket-takers of the season.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals started the league phase really well, however, ended up losing their way mid-way. Shikhar Dhawan found some form in their last game, however, will have to show consistency. Prithvi Shaw will also have to pull his socks up and perform, or DC may even replace him with Ajinkya Rahane who scored a solid fifty in their last game.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Marcus Stoinis will have to show consistency which they displayed in the earlier phase of the tournament. Their bowling has been phenomenal with Kagiso Rabada being the highest wicket-taker and Anrich Nortje being among the wickets as well.
Fantasy XI team
QUINTON DE KOCK (9.5) (C) – De Kock has been getting good starts, he’s at a cusp of a bigger inning anytime soon. He’ll be our captain.
JASPRIT BUMRAH (9.5) (VC) – Bumrah has been superb as the tournament progresses. He’s among the top wicket-takers of the tournament. He’ll be our vice-captain.
SHIKHAR DHAWAN (10) – Shikhar Dhawan found some form in their last game, however, will have to show consistency.
SURYAKUMAR YADAV (9) – Yadav scored a phenomenal 79 against the RCB. He’ll do even better with added responsibility in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
HARDIK PANDYA (8.5) – Pandya has been in great form and with added rest, he’ll be more rejuvenated.
KIERON POLLARD (9) – Pollard has looked dangerous lately. He also bowls 1-2 overs and gets a handy wicket or two.
MARCUS STOINIS (8.5) – Stoinis is a match-winner with both bat and ball. He can make important contributions in all three aspects.
AJINKYA RAHANE (8.5) – Rahane looked great in his last match against RCB where he scored a match-winning fifty.
TRENT BOULT (9) – Boult has been among the top wicket-takers of the tournament.
KAGISO RABADA (9.5) – Rabada has been the highest wicket-taker of the season so far. He’ll be our captain.
ANRICH NORTJE (8.5) – Nortje has been continuously clocking over 150 kmph and has always provided wickets.
PREDICTION
Mumbai Indians have been really consistent in their approach. They’re still batting and bowling phenomenally. DC, however, hasn’t been consistent and doesn’t have momentum. Their top-order has lost form and lower middle-order isn’t contributing much as well. Mumbai Indians will therefore defeat the Delhi Capitals.
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