IPL 2024, Match 20: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals Match Preview

Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Winless Mumbai Indians (MI) look to get off the mark as they take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in match No. 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday, April 7.

Mumbai Indians have had a wretched start to their IPL 2024 campaign as they have lost their first three matches. However, the Hardik Pandya-led side has a history of coming back strongly after slow starts, and that is why the opposition teams should never count them out. However, if the reports of former captain Rohit Sharma not being happy with Hardik’s leadership style are true, it must be a cause of concern for the MI faithfuls.

The Baroda all-rounder led Gujarat Titans to the title in 2022 and the finals in the year that followed. However, his return to Mumbai hasn’t been very pleasant. To make matters worse, the 30-year-old hasn’t received the support of the MI fans. In fact, when Hardik was being vociferously booed by the Mumbai fans during the last game at the Wankhede, Rohit was seen requesting them to stop.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table

With three losses in as many games, Mumbai need to get their act together, as their Playoffs qualification chances will be diminishing with each loss. Apart from Tilak Varma, who has scored 121 runs from three matches at 40.33, no other MI batter has looked in good nick. Meanwhile, only Jasprit Bumrah has stood out with the ball, as he has conceded runs at an economy rate of just 6.33. Akash Madhwal, however, was impressive in their last game against Rajasthan Royals as he finished with figures of 3/20 in four overs. After restricting the five-time champions to 125/9 in their 20 overs, Royals won the match comfortably by six wickets with 27 balls to spare. Prior to this encounter, Mumbai suffered defeats against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Delhi Capitals are placed at No. 9 on the points table, just above Mumbai. The Rishabh Pant-led side has won only one out of their first four games. After beginning IPL 2024 with back-to-back losses against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, Capitals got off the mark against Chennai Super Kings. However, in their most recent clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Delhi-based franchise conceded a whopping 272/7, the second-highest team total in IPL history and eventually lost the clash by 106 runs.

Also Check: Orange Cap in IPL 2024 – Most Runs

DC skipper returned to competitive cricket after 14 months and started with a couple of scratchy knocks. However, after hitting consecutive fifties in the last two games, the Haridwar-born will be high on self-confidence. However, Mitchell Marsh’s form is going to be a huge concern for the Capitals. The Australian all-rounder has scored only 61 runs from the four games and has bagged a solitary wicket. The likes of Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar have bowled well for Delhi. However, Anrich Nortje is yet to hit his straps. Axar Patel has only two wickets to show for his efforts from four matches, but he has been very economical.

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report and Conditions

Historically, the Wankhede Stadium is considered as a batter’s paradise because it produces some sensational batting surfaces. However, in the last game, the surface was sticky at the start of the match and batting wasn’t easy at all. Trent Boult got the new ball to swing prodigiously and put the Mumbai batters in all sorts of discomfort. If a similar pitch greets the two teams on Sunday, the openers will need to see out the new ball before they look to go for the extravagant strokes.

Click Here: MI vs DC Live Score, Match 20

Probable Playing XI

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Mumbai will be bolstered by the addition of the No. 1 ranked T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, as the veteran has recovered from an ankle injury he suffered last year. He might come in for Dewald Brevis as the young South African hasn’t been able to live up to his potential so far.

Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan (WK), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal

Impact Player: Akash Madhwal

Also Check: IPL 2024 Schedule

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi missed the services of Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav for their previous clash against the Knight Riders. Their absence was felt as the rest of the Delhi bowlers couldn’t put any sort of pressure on the opposition batters on his belter of a track. While the left-arm spinner is struggling with a groin niggle and is uncertain for the upcoming fixture, Mukesh is expected to return to the lineup.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed

Impact Player– Praveen Dubey

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

MI vs DC Head-to-Head Record