Struggling MI have won three matches out of eight games and are in the eighth position after facing defeat in the IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets. DC's biggest positive has undoubtedly been skipper Rishabh Pant's form, which appears to be improving with each game
Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (Pic: File Pic)
Delhi Capitals will look to keep their winning momentum on against inconsistent Mumbai Indians when they clash against each other in the IPL 2024 match on Saturday. The Delhiites are having a rollercoaster IPL 2024 season as they have won four matches out of nine.
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Currently, Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals are in the sixth position with eight points and the win against Mumbai Indians will boost their chances for the IPL 2024 playoffs. DC's biggest positive has undoubtedly been skipper Rishabh Pant's form, which appears to be improving with each game. He has looked sharp behind the stumps and seems to be batting with freedom. He was at his belligerent best during a match-winning unbeaten knock against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday.
Struggling MI have won three matches out of eight games and are in the eighth position after facing defeat in the IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets.
Looking at Rishabh Pant's form there are chances that he can make up to India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 despite the competition with Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik and Ishan Kishan.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: The race behind the stumps!
In Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC has found a reliable top-order batsman who can make the most out of the powerplay. But more is expected from opening batsman Prithvi Shaw as he is used as an impact player.
David Warner who missed the previous game might feature again in the playing XI as his replacement Shai Hope failed capitalise on the opportunity. Tristan Stubbs also proved his skills with the willow, while Axar Patel also scored crucial runs during the GT clash.
While the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar have bowled economically, DC's fast bowling unit needs to step up.
Pace spearhead Anrich Nortje is having a forgettable season and has leaked runs at 13.36 which has been a major problem for Delhi.
The likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Ishant Sharma have been plagued by injuries leading to inconsistent runs. They were taken to the cleaners by MI batters, who piled on 234/5 earlier in the season. And DC would be wary of a similar performance.
MI's resurgence this season began with a win against DC and the five-time champions would hope for an encore in the crucial clash.
For Mumbai, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have got runs but all of them have found form in patches. It's time for the likes of Tim David, Ishan Kishan and skipper Hardik Pandya to contribute in a big way and take some pressure off the top trio.
While the batting department has occasionally looked good, the bowling remains a massive cause of concern.
Jasprit Bumrah has expectedly been MI's standout bowler. He has led the attack with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.37.
However, new addition Gerald Coetzee has been inconsistent in his maiden IPL. Though he has an economy of 10.10, the South African pacer has accounted for 12 wickets in eight games.
But barring the two seamers, Mumbai's bowling has disappointed.
IPL 2024 Squads for DC vs MI:
Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (c), David Warner, Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui, Yash Dhull, Shai Hope, Prithvi Shaw, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kushagra, Swastik Chikara, Ishant Sharma, Jhye Richardson, Rasikh Dar Salam, Vicky Ostwal, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Praveen Dubey, Khaleel Ahmed, Sumit Kumar, Axar Patel, Gulbadin Naib, Lalit Yadav, Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Tim David, Shreyas Gopal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Mohammad Nabi, Shams Mulani, Naman Dhir, Shivalik Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Arjun Tendulkar, Nuwan Thushara, Tilak Varma, Harvik Desai, Nehal Wadhera, Luke Wood.
(With PTI Inputs)
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