Delhi Capitals have become the final active IPL team to make the final. They will face Mumbai Indians, who have been at this stage several times already. Will Mumbai win a second successive IPL title or will Delhi win their maiden trophy? We break down the game with some bets to consider from Tuesday’s final.
Mubai Indians vs Delhi Captials
Wednesday 1am (AEDT)
Previous games
Mumbai Indians have had plenty of rest after beating Delhi Capitals in the first qualifier. They were unstoppable in that game, scoring 200 before restricting Delhi to 143 for 8 with a spectacular defensive performance. Rohit Sharma is now back into the Mumbai fold after he was sidelined for a few games with injury.
Delhi Capitals put in a terrific display of strength against Sunrisers Hyderabad right from the outset on Sunday. Led by Marcus Stoinis and Shikhar Dhawan, Delhi nearly batted Sunrisers out of the contest. Even though Sunrisers came back into that game, Delhi still made the final with a clinical 17-run victory.
What to expect?
One thing has been clear this season: Mumbai have been the best team and Delhi the second best. That was evident in the first qualifier as well. Delhi will certainly rectify their errors from that game, but do they have enough depth to win this game? Let’s break the game down.
Mumbai’s batting has been stellar right through. Three of the top-eight run-scorers have been from Mumbai: Ishan Kishan (483 runs at an average of 53.66 in just 13 games), Quinton de Kock (483 runs at an average of 37.15) and Suryakumar Yadav (461 runs at an average of 42). Conspicuous by his absence is Rohit Sharma, who is a big-match player.
Mumbai’s bowling has been their unique selling proposition this season. Jasprit Bumrah has taken 27 wickets, while Trent Boult has given him able company with 22 wickets. Mumbai’s pacers have taken 26 wickets in the powerplay this season, while Delhi have taken just 12 wickets. That’s nearly double, and could be a significant factor.
Delhi’s batting seems to be shored up with Stoinis opening, like he does for the Melbourne Stars at the Big Bash. Dhawan has found his form again. They have found answers to some top-order issues, but have they had enough rest after a draining win against Sunrisers. Player for player, on paper, I’d say Mumbai are in a better position.
In 11 games this season, Rohit has scored just 264 runs at an average of 24. That is highly unusual for a player of his calibre. He rightly brought himself back into the starting XI for the final group-stage game to regain some fluency. He didn’t manage to do that as he recorded two successive single-digit scores, including a duck against Delhi in the first qualifier, out lbw to a turning offbreak from R Ashwin. Rohit is a player for the big occasion. He has been here multiple times as well.
Sharma top MI Batsman
$3.50
