It's all come down to the final day, as the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to witness a mouth-watering finale for the 2020 edition. The final of the 13th edition will see a clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC), to be played in Dubai on Tuesday.
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While this would be the sixth final appearance for the defending champions, DC would be featuring in the same for the very first time. MI have won on four occasions in the previous five appearances in the final. As both the sides get ready for a final task at hand, we present the all-important preview for this crucial tie.
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Current form: For the current form of both, MI have been phenomenal, as it is their consistency that has rewarded them so far. In 15 matches this season, MI have lost just five, while they possess the best Net Run-Rate (NRR). As for DC, they have been highly inconsistent in the past seven matches, having won just a couple.
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Team composition: Both the sides have their winning combination ready and there would be no change in the playing XI form their previous matches. While MI have a bowling-heavy squad, DC have a star-studded batting line-up. Thus, the clash will indeed be between the batsmen and the bowlers.
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Head-to-head: Considering their head-on clashes so far, both have met on 27 occasions, with MI winning 15 and DC winning 12. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), they have played against each other in four instances, with MI winning three and DC winning just once. Thus, MI definitely have the upper hand, as of now.
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Weather and pitch report: As for the weather in Dubai, the temperature is likely to be around 32 degrees. With a 57% chance of humidity, dew is expected to play an essential factor during the night. As for the pitch, it was slow during the initial phase of the tournament but is giving a new look altogether in the past few matches. Consequently, we can expect a high-scoring encounter, with anything between 170-180 being deemed extremely competitive.
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Probable XIMI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah.DC: Marcus Stoinis, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Dubey, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.
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Fantasy XIBatsmen: Iyer, Suryakumar, Rohit, Rahane- Rohit can be the perfect opener, while Iyer, Suryakumar and Rahane, who have been in a great form, can give stability to the top and middle-order.Wicketkeeper: De Kock- The only sensible wicketkeeper-batsman among both happens to be the South African. He has been in a subtle form with the bat, while his wicketkeeping skills this season have been best.All-rounders: Stoinis, Pollard- The all-round department has to consist of Stoinis and Pollard. Stoinis can be useful as an opener as well, as was evident in Qualifier 2, while Pollard has been consistent in all departments throughout.Bowlers: Rabada, Bumrah, Nortje and Coulter-Nile- In case you are surprised, don't be, as the bowling attack is sure to be dominated by the pacers. All four pacers have been remarkable. Although we would have liked Rahul Chahar in the XI, the constraint of points has compelled us to go ahead with Coulter-Nile.
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Prediction: MI have the utmost experience of playing in the final. Rohit, who has featured in five title-winning finals, is the best man to know what the situation demands and would be able to utilise his resources correctly. As for DC, they would be in an unknown territory, along with skipper Shreyas Iyer. However, they are known to be unpredictable of late. Although the final demands experience and ability more than luck and unpredictability, it won't be utterly surprising of DC manage to sneak past this, given the performance they have displayed throughout the season.
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