The playoffs begin from Wednesday as we approach the endgame. The top two teams, MI and DC are all set to face each other. DC wouldn’t be too keen to look back at the corresponding league fixtures in IPL 2020, with the Mumbai Indians having beaten them on both occasions. Although the Mumbai Indians did lose their last league game in IPL 2020, they are the clear favourites ahead of this encounter. With the best teams in the competition going head-to-head in this fixture, we should witness a cracking start to the IPL 2020 knockout phase

Match Details:

Match:

Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Qualifier 1

Date:

5th November 2020, at 7:30 PM IST

Venue:

Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

What To Expect:

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been a relatively high-scoring venue in IPL 2020. Although there is some swing on offer for the pacers, the batsmen have done well to notch up scores of over 170 on a regular basis.There isn’t much help on offer for the spinners, who will have to vary their pace in the middle overs. Teams have preferred to keep wickets in hand towards the end, but run-scoring should be relatively easier against the new ball.The dimensions of the ground should help the bowlers, with rotation of strike being key for the batsmen. With this being a knockout fixture, both teams might look to bat first, and the pitch shouldn’t change much during the game. 160-170 should be a par total as both teams look to seal a berth in the IPL 2020 final.

Delhi Capitals:

 

Delhi Capitals have also done well this season, with 16 points to show for their efforts. With a good blend of youth and experience, DC are within touching distance of their first IPL final. While Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane were in good touch in their previous game, much is expected from the trio of Shaw, Iyer and Pant, who have underwhelmed of late. The focus will be on the pace bowling duo of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. Although they have a few concerns with their middle order, the Delhi Capitals should feel optimistic of a win on Thursday.

DC Predicted Playing XI:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ravi Ashwin and Anrich Nortje

Mumbai Indians:

 

The return of captain Rohit Sharma to the top of the order should bode well for the Mumbai Indians, who have won their six out of their last seven playoff games in the IPL. With Hardik Pandya also set to return for MI, they look well-equipped to reach yet another final. Bumrah and Boult are all set to return to the playing XI for the first Qualifier as well.

MI Predicted Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult

By Arvind Krishnan

Cricket writer, statistician and analyst. An unorthodox media student, marketing runs in his blood. Sports Marketer and analyst.