After losing three consecutive matches, one may begin to wonder whether Delhi Capitals have lost steam. After beating Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah (for the second time this season), DC looked unstoppable and a team with a guaranteed top-two finish. Then they ran into Kings XI Punjab, a team that was looking for momentum to make it to the playoffs, and everything changed for DC thereafter.
DC lost to KXIP, with latter chasing down DC’s target with five wickets in hand, but Delhi still looked good. However, after their next game against Kolkata Knight Riders, many felt that the panic button was hit. Delhi lost to KKR by 59 runs, which slightly hurt their Net Run Rate (NRR). If DC was wondering whether a win in their next game would help boost their confidence, they were in for a surprise when they took on SRH. DC won the toss and within the first few overs, they seemed to have lost the plot — a point DC skipper Shreyas Iyer made in the post-match interview. SRH captain David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha bulldozed DC’s bowling attack and recorded the best Powerplay score of 77-0 in this year’s IPL. SRH racked up 219-2 in 20 overs. DC was bundled out for 131 in 19 overs. DC hopefully looks to finish their last two league games with wins but their path looks difficult as they take on defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Both teams are currently placed above Delhi on the points table.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians became the first team this season to qualify when CSK beat KKR on October 29. With a win over RCB in their last game, MI will look to keep their momentum and finish in the top two of the table. MI has been dominant this season in all departments of the game. However, in their last game against RCB, their bowlers, barring Jasprit Bumrah and Krunal Pandya, had an off day as pacers Trent Boult, James Pattison and leggie spinner Rahul Chahar finished with economy rates of 10 and above. Scoring a blistering inning of 79 runs off 43 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes, Suryakumar Yadav sent a strong message to the Indian selectors for not considering him for India’s upcoming tour of Australia. His knock helped MI win their previous game.
Although Mumbai will be favourites to beat Delhi in Dubai and strengthen their spot in the table, it will be difficult to predict who will come on top seeing how the season has been unfolding in front of us. With day games in Dubai being won by teams chasing, both these teams will look to bat second. While MI will look to maintain the same team, DC is likely to make a few changes.
