IPL 2017: Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians, Game 45 – Match Result Predictions

The Delhi Daredevils have had a dream game in their previous match of the season. They successfully chased down a total as high as 208 against the Gujarat Lions. Their young batsmen rose to the occasion to help them register their fourth win of the season. Now, they are in a position from where they can potentially qualify for the playoffs. With 4 matches at their disposal, DD have a very good chance to make it to the final four. However, they will have to overhaul the mighty lineups in the process. The first among them is the Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai has arguably been the most dominant team in the season thus far. They have 16 points to their name and are almost guaranteed a place in the playoffs. A win against the Daredevils will confirm their berth in the top four of the tournament. They have the most settled lineup and have made the least number of swappings in their lineup this season among all the teams.

Sticking to their core group of players has helped their cause a great deal. They will certainly be the favorites going into the match. The fact that they might not be very much affected with a defeat in the game gives them the license to play freely. On the other hand, Delhi Daredevils find themselves in the do or die situation. If they lose this particular game, they will definitely be out of the race for the playoffs. In fact, all their remaining fixtures would be do or die matches for them.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: DD will win the toss

Toss Prediction: DD will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 170-175

2nd innings Prediction: DD will win by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare.  

Scenario 2: MI will win the toss

Toss Prediction: MI will choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 160-175

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 5 wickets (with an over to spare)

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –19, MI Won – 10, DD Won – 09

MI and DD have locked horns against one another on 19 occasions thus far. Things looked evenly balanced prior to this edition of the tournament with both sides having won on 9 occasions each. However, the last time these two sides met at Mumbai in this season, the Mumbai Indians ended up winning the game by 14 runs to take lead in the head-to-head clashes.

In the 7 matches that the two sides have played at the Feroze Shah Kotla, the Delhi Daredevils have had the clear home advantage. They have managed to outplay Mumbai on 5 occasions and have lost only twice. The last time DD lost against Mumbai at Delhi was back in the 2011 edition of the tournament.

Team Combinations:

Delhi Daredevils

The Delhi Daredevils made quite a few changes in the previous game. Coming into this game, it would only be prudent if they stick to their winning combinations. Regular skipper Zaheer Khan is likely to miss the match as the reports suggest he will take a couple of more days to completely recover from his hamstring injury. The young Indian batting brigade has been doing a fantastic job in the recent few fixtures.

Marlon Samuels got his first game of the season for DD in the previous match. He is likely to retain his place in the side for this game as well. In the bowling department, there seems to be an ideal balance between the spin and the pace departments.

Predicted XI: Sanju Samson, Karun Nair (c), Rishabh Pant (w), Shreyas Iyer, Marlon Samuels, Corey Anderson, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Shahbaz Nadeem, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami.

Mumbai Indians

The Mumbai Indians have absolutely no reason to tinker with their winning combinations. The core group of players have been consistent for them this season and that is something which has yielded rich dividends for them this season. Harbhajan Singh is the only player likely to make a comeback to the lineup at the expense of Karn Sharma. Karn did not do anything wrong in the previous outing but will have to make way for the senior pro.

Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya have been vital additions to the lineup who have turned out to be the finishers for the MI camp this season. The bowling looks settled with the pace trio of Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga.

Predicted XI: Parthiv Patel (w), Jos Buttler, Nitish Rana, Rohit Sharma (c), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga.

Given MI’s terrific run, they will definitely start favorites but you can never rule out a strong showing by the hosts given they have a brash young brigade at their disposal.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.

Note: This is purely a random call taken by the author.