History
The history between these two teams couldn’t have been more contrasting. Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in IPL history, winning their 4th title last season, while Delhi haven’t even reached the final once, let alone win the title. These two sides have faced each other a total of 26 times, with MI winning 14 times and DC winning 12, proving just how intense this rivalry is. However, this season, MI comfortably defeated DC on both occasions, and do seem to have a head-start going into this clash.
Team News and League Journey So Far
MI are currently sitting second in the league table, with 5 wins in 7 matches. After a couple of damaging defeats to arch-rivals CSK and RCB, MI recovered well to put up a mammoth score against Sunrisers Hyderabad, highlighting their deep batting line-up.
Rohit Sharma and De Kock both have played some big innings each, but the most encouraging aspect is the form of their middle and lower batting order, with Pollard and the Pandya brothers helping them explode towards the end. They recorded an impressive win against the current table-toppers DC and followed that up with another dominant win over KKR.
However, they lost in dramatic fashion against KXIP, as the matched ended with 2 super overs ! They bounced back straight away with a dominating 10 wicket victory over CSK. However, they were then humbled by RR who chased down a big score. They comfortably chased down the target in their against RCB before repeating that against DC as well. However, they lost their last league match by 10 wickets in a very one-sided encounter against SRH.
Mumbai won 9 out of their 14 matches to finish on top of the league table. They also have the highest NRR of 1.107, and were the first team to qualify for the play-offs, a fitting performance from the pre-tournament favourites to win the title.
The Delhi Capitals won their opening two matches to get off to the perfect start, and were top of the table before they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, they regained momentum and went on to win a hattrick of games. Their batting top order looks fairly consistent, with notable contributions from at least two of the top order batsmen in every game so far, followed by some big hitting by the likes of Stoinis and Hetmyer after them.
The bowling looks very good, however, with very economical spells by the spinners and a brilliant pace partnership between Rabada and Nortje. DC lost to MI by a narrow margin, before coming back to win brilliantly against RR. A couple of key injuries to Amit Mishra and Rishabh Pant is a very worrying sign, however, with their replacements not performing so well. DC have won 4 of their last 6 matches, and defeated CSK by scoring 25 runs off the last over for a memorable victory.
However, they lost against KXIP in disappointing fashion. They followed that up with another big defeat against KKR. And then made it 3 defeats in a row after being beaten by SRH. A 4th consecutive defeat to MI meant that a win against RCB was absolutely crucial for DC to finish in the top 4, and they did just that with a brilliant run-chase.
DC led the league table for a long time but eventually finished in 2nd spot with 8 wins in 14 matches. They had a NRR of -0.109 , and gave some solid performances with the bat and ball both, to qualify for the qualifier.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
MI are the heavy favourites to win the match with odds of 1.66 as per LeoVegas, which is not surprising considering they were the most dominant team in the league stage and have already beaten DC in both the matches this season. DC lost 4 games in a row before bouncing back against RCB in the crunch last match, and are 2.20 to win this qualifier and reach their first ever final.
Top Team Batsman
Quinton De Kock and Rohit Sharma are again favourites from MI to be the top scorers, with odds of 3.60 and 3.50 respectively, and both are expected to give a solid start again, provided Rohit is fit. Suryakumar Yadav has been very consistent after them and is 4.50 to be the top scorer in this match. Ishan Kishan has also really picked up his form and is 4.00 to be the top scorer.
Shikhar Dhawan is, as usual, the favourite to be Delhi’s top batsman in this match with odds of 3.50. He has been the top scorer for DC in the last 4 matches, with back to back unbeaten centuries in 2 matches, becoming the first player ever to achieve this feat. His opening partner Prithvi Shaw has odds of 4.50 despite his poor form of late, while captain Shreyas Iyer has odds of 4.50. Ajinkya Rahane is the new 2nd favourite at 4.00 after his impressive innings in the previous match against RCB.
Highest Opening Partnership
MI are favourites at 1.75 to have the highest opening partnership in this match. This is primarily because they have a fixed opening pair, who have both been prolific this season. Rohit and De Kock can tear apart any bowling attack on this day. DC have had inconsistent starts with Shaw and Rahane switching to open with Dhawan. Rahane was brilliant in the last match and may be promoted to open the innings with Dhawan at the top.
Top Team Bowler
MI have the most lethal pace bowling pair in the league. Jasprit Bumrah is MI’s favourite to be the top bowler with odds of just 3.25, a testament to his wicket taking ability in the death overs. Followed by Trent Boult at 3.50, with his swinging deliveries trapping many top order batsmen LBW.
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is in brilliant form of late, and is DC’s favourite to be the top bowler, at 3.25. He is also the current purple cap holder. He is followed by compatriot Nortje at 3.50, who is famous for his searing pace.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 336.5 runs in this match are 1.71, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have some brilliant batsmen and are known for posting huge totals.
Individual Player Betting
- Shikhar Dhawan to score more than 29.5 runs has odds of 1.87,which is arguably the safest bet in this match as he has scored back to back centuries as well as 3 more 50’s in his last 7 matches. Quinton De Kock to score more than 25.5 runs has odds of 1.87 as per LeoVegas , which is a tempting bet as he would like to give another quick start to his team as always
- Mumbai to hit the most sixes has odds of 1.70, which is understandable as they have several players who can clear the ropes. The Pandya brothers, Rohit Sharma, Pollard and De Kock all are known for their big hits. DC to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.62, which is understandable as they only have Stoinis and Dhawan, who prefer the aerial route more often than not.
- Rabada to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.10, which is attractive as he can snap up key wickets. Bumrah to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.10 as well, which is attractive as he can bowl in the powerplay as well as death overs.
Our Top Betting Picks
- MI to win the match @1.66
- MI to hit the most sixes @1.70
- MI to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.75
- Rabada to be DC’s top bowler @3.25
