Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 27: MI vs DC Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

If there was ever an tasty entree heading into a delicious main meal in cricket, this is it. After Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals do battle in Sunday’s opening match, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals go head-to-head in a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash at Abu Dhabi.

And MI, the current and four-time IPL champions, have owned Abu Dhabi in IPL 2020. Since their first-up defeat to CSK, Rohit Sharma’s men have thrashed all before them at this ground, scoring 190+ on all three occasions. DC will certainly be a greater test, but all MI fans can feel confident in the magnificent depth of their top seven, where any two or three players can form the cornerstone of their innings. Last game, it was the openers, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Who will it be this time?

Delhi Capitals have been terrific, and deservedly sit atop the IPL 2020 Table. One concern regarding DC before the tournament was their finishing, given Marcus Stoinis, a preferred opener in the format, was their designated number six. However, Stoinis has been magnificent this tournament, and like MI, DC have had a number of players step up at certain stages. Whether it is the magnificent backfoot play of Prithvi Shaw, class of Shreyas Iyer, consistency of Rishabh Pant or, most recently, the power of Shimron Hetmyer, DC have what it takes to take down an excellent MI attack.

And, of course, when you add Kagiso Rabada leading the competition with such potency, as well as three MI bowlers in the top six wicket-takers in IPL 2020, we have a clash-and-a-half on our hands today.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Rohit Sharma has been terrific at Abu Dhabi in IPL 2020 (4 matches, 197 runs, avg. 49.25). Also, Rohit has the most runs out of any player in MI-DC matches (560, avg. 35.00, SR 133.33).
• Rishabh Pant was player of the match in DC’s first meeting with MI last season, thanks to an incredible 78* off 27 balls. This innings forms part of a very solid overall record for Pant vs MI: 7 inns, 219 runs, avg. 36.50, SR 168.46.
• Also, Pant has been consistent in IPL 2020 (31, 37*, 28, 38, 37, 5). His score of 5 came last time out, where he was run out.
• Prithvi Shaw is coming of age in IPL 2020. The young DC opener has been the prominent force at the top of the order, with 198 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 151.14.
• His opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, has been under-par in IPL 2020 (6 inns, 132 runs, avg. 22.00, SR 122.22). However, is this the game where Dhawan fires? He has a strong record vs MI: 20 inns, 664 runs, avg. 41.50, SR 129.18.
• Quinton de Kock had a slow start to IPL 2020, but looks to be finding his feet, with 90 runs in his last two innings (SR 166.67). Suryakumar Yadav is coming off a superb 79* off 47 balls vs RR.
• Apart from his 88* (38) vs KKR, Shreyas Iyer hasn’t quite hit full gear yet in IPL 2020. So, the perfect time is now to further consolidate DC’s top two spot. Can Iyer also improve his record vs MI? (182 runs, avg. 22.75, SR 118.95).
• The battle between the finishers will be an interesting one, against excellent death bowlers. Marcus Stoinis & Shimron Hetmyer vs Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard could go some way to deciding this game.
• Pollard has been superb. After striking at over 200 on slow pitches in CPL 2020, Pollard is striking at 208.97 in IPL 2020. His partner in crime, Hardik Pandya, is finding his feet, with 88 runs in his past three knocks (avg. 88, SR 179.59).
• Stoinis is enjoying an excellent tournament in the middle order (6 inns, 162 runs, avg. 40.50, SR 176.08, 2 50s).
• As always, the brilliant Kagiso Rabada is key to DC’s chances. The outstanding pace bowler has taken at least two wickets in 12 of his last 13 IPL matches, and has 15 in just six matches so far in IPL 2020. How will he fare against MI’s quality finishers today? He has six wickets in four games for DC vs MI.
• The battle between Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah will also be intriguing. Bumrah is second behind Rabada for most wickets in IPL 2020 (11), and will be crucial in the death overs. Also, Bumrah has 11 wickets in 11 matches vs DC.
• Trent Boult is just behind on 10 in IPL 2020, followed by James Pattinson on nine. Anrich Nortje, who is also having a good tournament, has eight.
• What role will the spinners play? Rahul Chahar dominated DC last season with 3/19, and has bowled beautifully at Abu Dhabi so far in IPL 2020 (1/36, 2/26, 2/26 and 1/24). R Ashwin, man of the match last game at Sharjah, is bowling beautifully. Can he improve on his ratio of 17 wickets in 24 games vs MI?

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Stats and Facts

• Matches 24, MI 12, DC 12. DC have won three out of the last four matches vs MI.
• Kieron Pollard is striking at 250 vs spin this season. So, will MI push him up the order to counter the likes of R Ashwin and Axar Patel?
• Kagiso Rabada v Rohit Sharma will be a key battle. In 34 balls to Rohit in IPL, Rabada has conceded just 39 and dimissed him once.
• Of course, Rabada will also be key at the death against the best team in this period. MI strike at 235 runs per 100 balls at this stage in 2020, but DC are the best bowling team at this stage (econ. 9.6), with Rabada taking 11 wickets during overs 16-20.
• Axar Patel is yet to concede a six in IPL 2020, with an economy rate of just 4.5 (best among all bowlers with min. 2 overs bowled).
• Hardik Pandya averages 17.29 vs DC (SR 142.35). His brother, Krunal Pandya, has superb batting stats vs DC (7 inns, 223 runs, avg. 37.17, SR 179.84), to go with six wickets in seven matches against them.

Possible Playing 11

Mumbai Indians look settled, and should look to stick with their winning combination.

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

Delhi Capitals also look settled, which has been a key part of their success so far.

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

Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report

Mumbai Indians have been outstanding at Abu Dhabi, striking 190+ in each of their last three matches. They have gone on to win the matches by 49, 48 and 57 runs respectively. The average first innings score at this ground in nine matches is exactly 170, with the team batting first winning six times.

Dew is expected to be around, but batting first is the way to go in IPL 2020.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

What a match this promises to be between two strong attacks, which makes a strong score batting first absolutely crucial. Both team’s capabilities will be tested, but given MI’s slightly better depth, they could come away with a win. However, Delhi are very capable of winning, especially if they bat first.

Thanks for reading!