The 51st match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will see Delhi Capitals (DC) taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (October 31).
In their last meeting, MI had registered a five-wicket victory over DC and the defending champions are also looking in better shape this time around, having secured their spot in the play-offs.
On the other hand, DC have slipped to the third spot in the points table after coping three successive defeats. The Shreyas Iyer-led side needs to win one of the remaining two league matches to seal their place in the play-offs.
Mumbai will look to carry their domination whereas Delhi will look to bounce back during the showdown in Dubai and for this, both the teams ought to pick right players in their line-ups.
Therefore, Team COC presents to you the Predicted Playing XIs for the Delhi Capitals versus Mumbai Indians match.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC suffered a humiliating 88-run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last outing and the team is likely to tweak their combination for the all-important clash against MI.
While Shikhar Dhawan will continue to hold an opening slot, there is a high chance of Prithvi Shaw’s return to the playing XI as Ajinkya Rahane has failed to make a mark at the top. Skipper Shreyas Iyer should continue to bat at No. 3 followed by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
Considering the fact that Delhi conceded a mammoth 219/2 against SRH, they may look to bolster their bowling attack by bringing Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane in the playing XI in place of Shimron Hetmyer, who is having a torrid time with the bat in the ongoing IPL.
Marcus Stoinis has done a brilliant job as an all-rounder in the first half of the tournament and he is certain to be in the team versus MI.
Coming to the bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin and Akshar Patel have done exceptionally well in Delhi’s success so far and the duo will continue to be a part of the spin attack.
When it comes to the pace department, Kagiso Rabada should continue to lead the contingent along with Anrich Nortje. However, right-armer Tushar Deshpande, who conceded 35 runs in his 3 overs against SRH, is expected to be dropped at the expense of all-rounder Lait Yadav.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
With CSK winning the match against KKR on Thursday (October 29), Mumbai Indians became the first team to qualify for the play-offs this season.
Despite not having the services of regular skipper Rohit Sharma in the last three games due to injury, MI have played fabulous cricket on each occasion and they are unlikely to tweak their winning combination against DC.
The pair of Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan will continue to open the innings followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Saurabh Tiwary.
Stand-in skipper Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya will occupy the spots in the lower middle-order.
Bowling wise, MI have a very balanced attack. Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and James Pattinson form a fearsome pace battery and the trio should be seen in action against Delhi.
Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar is having a great time in the T20 league and he should retain his place in the playing XI.
Delhi Capitals COC Predicted Playing XI:
Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Sandeep Lamichhane, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lait Yadav
Mumbai Indians COC Predicted Playing XI:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard (c), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar
