Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Final: MI vs DC Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

After 59 matches filled with endless drama, speculation and conversation, it comes down to this. We’ll either see one team pick up their fifth IPL Title or one achieve their first ever triumph, as 40 good overs on the big day is all that matters.

There is an argument to suggest that Mumbai Indians have been even better in 2020 than in their Title-winning season of 2019. Their wins have been as impressive as they have been comprehensive, which includes a thumping 57-run win against today’s opponents in last week’s Qualifier 1. The batting, filled with contributors right the way down the order, complements their magnificent bowling attack, led by the magnificent Jasprit Bumrah. Now, in an even year, MI have the opportunity to pull ahead of the chasing pack and further confirm their greatness.

Their sheer relentless and machine-like consistency is a benchmark for all other franchises to follow. One team looking to reach those heights in future years is Delhi Capitals, who have been so up-and-down in recent times. However, what has happened previously doesn’t matter now, as what happens in the 40 overs on the day is most important. The move to have Marcus Stoinis as opener and Shimron Hetmyer in earlier worked wonders for the Capitals against SRH in Qualifier 2, and the top order will no doubt be key as the Capitals were reduced to 0/3 in their last game vs MI. Plus, to have Kagiso Rabada back in the wickets is encouraging, as the brilliant pacer has to lead the way against an irresistible MI batting lineup.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Ishan Kishan has had a superb season, with the fourth-most runs of any player (483 runs, avg. 53.66, SR 144.17). This includes scores of 28 (15), 72* (47) and 55* (30) against DC.
• Quinton de Kock, who has the same number of runs as Kishan (483, avg. 37.15, SR 139.59), will also be key in thwarting DC’s powerplay efforts. Like Kishan, de Kock has also been in the runs vs DC in IPL 2020: 53 (36), 26 (28) and 40 (25).
• de Kock’s battle with R Ashwin will be key. Ashwin has dismissed QdK four times in six innings, and took 3/29 vs MI in Qualifier 1.
• When Shikhar Dhawan performs, DC perform. If he doesn’t, DC find themselves in big trouble. The left-hander is 68 runs away from claiming the 2020 Orange Cap. More importantly, in DC’s last two wins, he has struck 54 and 78. In DC’s last four losses, Dhawan has made 6, 0, 0, 0. Also, Dhawan still has a fine career record vs MI: 23 inns, 733 runs, avg. 40.72, SR 128.60.
• So, how will he respond to being castled by a simply magnificent Jasprit Bumrah yorker in Qualifier 1? The star fast bowler has been irresistible in recent times, taking 15 wickets in his last six matches, including 3/14 and 4/14 against DC.
• Marcus Stoinis is back in his preferred position of opener. He struck 65 (46) against MI last week, and is coming off a player-of-the-match performance in Qualifier 2 vs SRH (38 and 3/26). He and Shimron Hetmyer (42* off 22 balls vs SRH) will be key in giving DC the impetus they need to challenge MI.
• What a year Suryakumar Yadav has had. The classy right-hander, who is deserving of a spot in India’s T20I squad, has struck four half-centuries in IPL 2020, part of 461 runs at an average of 41.90. Two of these half-centuries have come against DC: 53 (32), 12* (11) and 51 (38).
• Rohit Sharma has the most runs in DC-MI matches (565, avg. 31.39, SR 130.49). He is coming off a golden duck against them in Qualifier 1, so will today be his day?
• Hardik Pandya was outstanding in Qualifier 1, with his 37* off 14 balls propelling MI to 200. The threat he has with Kieron Pollard (SR 190.44 in IPL 2020) is a key differentiator for MI.
• Kagiso Rabada will be crucial for DC. The Protea seamer is now back as the Purple Cap holder (29 wickets), but Bumrah is close behind on 27. Also, Rabada has gone wicketless in each of his last two outings vs MI: 0/27 and 0/42.
• Trent Boult has had an amazing partnership with Bumrah. The left-arm seamer has 22 wickets in IPL 2020, including five in his last two vs DC (3/21 and 2/9).
• Can Anrich Nortje deliver the goods today, particularly at the death where he has been expensive in recent games? The pace bowler is one of eight bowlers to have 20 or more wickets in IPL 2020.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 27, MI 15, DC 12.
• MI have beaten DC on all three occasions in IPL 2020, all by comfortable margins (five wickets, nine wickets, 57 runs).
• Kieron Pollard has been magnificent in IPL Finals for MI. The superstar was player-of-the-match in 2013 (60 off 32 balls), smashed 36 off 18 balls in 2015 and struck a vital 41* off 25 balls in 2019.
• Krunal Pandya was player of the match in the IPL 2017 Final (47 off 38 balls). Also, Krunal has an excellent all-round record vs DC: 10 matches, 248 runs, avg. 35.43, SR 175.89, nine wickets, avg. 18.78, econ. 6.22.
• Marcus Stoinis has a solid record against pace in IPL (avg. 32.00, SR 147.55). But, his record vs spin dips (avg. 26.08, SR 123.71), which could prompt MI to use Krunal or Rahul Chahar in the powerplay.
• Rishabh Pant has been very quiet in IPL 2020 (SR 109.12). But, he has a solid record vs MI (9 inns, 243 runs, avg. 30.38, SR 149.08), and DC will be hoping he can show that form today.
• This is Delhi’s first-ever appearance in an IPL Final.

Possible Playing 11

Trent Boult had a slight groin niggle in Qualifier 1, which forced an early end to his spell. According to Rohit, he has been bowling well in the nets and looks good to play in the Final.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Ishan Kishan, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. Kieron Pollard, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Trent Boult/James Pattinson, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Delhi Capitals: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Ajinkya Rahane, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. Praveen Dubey/Harshal Patel, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. R Ashwin, 11. Anrich Nortje

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

The team batting first has won 15 of 25 matches at Dubai. However, chasing teams have had more joy in recent times, winning six of the last 10 games. But, what the playoffs has shown is that if you score in the region of 190-200, it is a mighty difficult chase under pressure, even with the dew.

So, the captain may be tempted to bat first and put pressure on the opposition. The team batting first has won four of the last five IPL Finals.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

It all comes down to this. Which team will hold their nerve? Delhi’s batting improved significantly against SRH, but tackling Mumbai’s bowling is a whole different challenge.

Based on my pre-tournament prediction, Mumbai Indians will go on to win IPL 2020 thanks to their superior batting and bowling depth.

Thanks for reading!