IPL 2021, MI vs DC preview: Can Mumbai delay Delhi's bid for playoffs berth?

By Ayush Gupta | First Published Oct 1, 2021, 3:59 PM IST

Mumbai Indians is determined to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs. However, it would be up against a ruthless Delhi Capitals on Saturday, as we present the match preview.

Defending champion Mumbai Indians (MI) might have found a new mojo following its win in the previous game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). As it eyes the playoffs, it would aim to continue with the same momentum against a seemingly unstoppable Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 46 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Here is the match preview of this game.

Current form
MI is placed fifth, with five wins from 11, locked on ten points with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the latter a spot ahead, based on net run-rate. As for DC, it is located second, with eight wins from 11, having collected 16 points and is a win away from sealing its playoffs spot.

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Team composition
Considering the sides, MI is heavily reliant on its bowling, which possesses a heavy star power. Notwithstanding, the star power is pretty allocated among its batters too. Having found a new mojo, the focus would move back to stars like skipper Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

For DC, it has an even side across departments, along with an equitable division of its stars and capped players, as it is one of the highly established sides of the competition. It is undoubtedly the team to beat for its prominent top-order, along with a vibrant middle-order and a trustworthy bowling charge.

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Injury concerns: None of the sides has any significant injury concerns, while DC's Prithvi Shaw's fitness would be enjoyable to see.

Head-to-head
The two sides have met each other on 29 instants, with MI leading 16-13. Of the five matches they have played together in UAE, MI has an authority of 4-1, while the only game in Sharjah between the two saw DC triumph.

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Weather and pitch report
The Sharjah weather would be burning, with an expected temperature of 37 degrees and 58% humidity. The track would be plodding, while the shorter boundaries could somewhat boost the batters.

Probable XI
MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
DC: Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith/Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Avesh Khan.

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Fantasy XI
Batters: Pollard, Dhawan (c), Suryakumar, Shaw- Dhawan and Shaw are expected to give the right start, while Pollard and Suryakumar can consolidate in the middle. Dhawan's consistency makes him the skipper.
Wicketkeepers: de Kock, Pant- Both the men are in tremendous form with the bat and are no-brainers.
All-rounders: Axar, Lalit- Both have made a beneficial impact with the ball and are sure to continue with the trend.
Bowlers: Bumrah, Avesh (vc), Rabada- An all-out pace attack involving the top performers, while Avesh's flexibility makes him Dhawan's deputy.

Match details
Date and day: October 2, 2021 (Saturday)
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Time: 3.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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