MI vs DC: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for Dream11 IPL, The Final

Both these teams have been touted as the best two sides of the tournament, and here they come again against each other.

Published - 10 Nov 2020, 09:30 IST | Updated - 10 Nov 2020, 09:30 IST

2 Min Read

Remember this game? The tournament, back in that time, was shrouded by spooky unpredictability, bizarreness, and the clouds of uncertainty. Time flies, and so do we. 59 fixtures have passed since, and after a rollercoaster ride, in pretty much every sense, we have the two finalists. It is only apt that the teams that finished on the top of the table – the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals – will battle it out in the summit clash of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.

On one side, there is a team, which have made winning a habit; entering a territory (read IPL Finals) that is almost home to them, looking to win an unprecedented fifth title. On the other hand, there is one that made a rollicking start, floundered aplenty later, then managed to put a foot inside somehow, and have, now, reached an unchartered galaxy: a maiden IPL Final appearance.

The Delhi Capitals have thrice met the Mumbai Indians this year and the latter completed a double over them in the league stage – winning by five wickets in a run chase of 166, at Abu Dhabi, followed by a thumping nine-wicket victory after reducing the Capitals to 110 for 9, in Dubai. This, however, is not the end.

The neck-to-neck head-to-head record of 12-12 at the start of the tournament has been altered and stands 15-12 in favour of Mumbai, following the first Qualifier, where Mumbai racked up 200 and pummeled Delhi by 57 runs. The Indians have been the finest side of the tournament this year by some margin. Although, one act of laxity, and it will be all over.

The Capitals might have lost all three times to them, and five of their last seven fixtures, but one act of courage, and it will be all glory. Momentum might be overrated, and Delhi do not need to go too far to draw inspiration, after their win in the second Qualifier, where they defeated an on-a-roll Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had no losses to show in their last four games, compared to Delhi’s four losses in their last five!

Both these teams have been long touted as the best two sides of the tournament, and here they come again against each other. The record might be suggestive, but the numbers, records, and momentum will be of little significance on Tuesday in Dubai.

Pitch and conditions

The ground dimensions have had a role to play, and the batsmen would be well-acclimatised to them by now. The face-off has some mouth-watering pacers – Bumrah and Boult, Rabada, and Nortje. And none amongst them crave for assistance from the track. Whether there be or not, the ball will be made to talk. Given the strange patterns of dew, the toss will be interesting to observe. However, in the case of its certainty, the tale is known: win, and choose to bat.

Playing Combinations for MI vs DC

Mumbai Indians

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock held the opening duties well. Should Mumbai, then, adopt the ploy? Given Rohit’s score of 4 and 0 since return? The uncapped wonder Suryakumar Yadav has been red-hot in the tournament, and alongside power-hitters like Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, who both are striking well over 180 this year, the batting unit is a force to reckon with.

Amongst themselves, Bumrah (27) and Boult (22) have a mind-baffling 49 wickets. Often overshadowed by their lethality is James Pattinson, who has 11 wickets this year in 10 games. Mumbai might want to go back to the ravaging troika at the expense of Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Probable XI- Quinton de Kock (WK), Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, James Pattinson/Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Delhi Capitals

The freshening move of bringing up Marcus Stoinis proved to be a tactical wonder as the lethargy in the top-order was brought to a halt. Given the dividends of the move in the last game, expect Stoinis to partner Shikhar Dhawan, who is only 68 short of claiming the Orange Cap.

With not even a single performance parallel to his stature, Rishabh Pant would be keener than ever to play a hand of substance alongside Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer. With 29 and 20 wickets respectively to their credit, the sensational duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bumrah-Boult.

Probable XI- Marcus Stoinis, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ajinkya Rahane, Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Praveen Dubey, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje