IPL 2019: Key battles to watch out for as DC take on MI
Two teams perched high up on the points table and are in the midst of a battle to qualify for the playoffs will face off against each other at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in the national capital. Delhi Capitals will host Mumbai Indians, with both the teams having accumulated 10 points in 8 matches. While Mumbai sit in the third spot on the table, Delhi are second courtesy their better net run-rate. With the two squads brimming with quality and having some dangerous match-winners in their ranks to go along with a good run of form, it promises to be a highly entertaining encounter at the Kotla. This will the second time the two franchises will face off this season, with Delhi winning the first match in Mumbai by 11 runs courtesy of fireworks from Rishabh Pant. Delhi will again fancy their chances in their home venue, having won three matches in a row.
Here we look at the key battles which could decide the course of the contest:
Rohit Sharma vs Kagiso Rabada
The Mumbai Indians skipper has not had the best of tournaments this season, getting many starts but failing to register a single big score in the tournament. Despite his inconsistencies, Mumbai have managed to perform admirably well due to the overall strength and depth of their squad. If Rohit starts to fire, MI will truly become a formidable proposition for the opposition, with the tournament now set to enter its final phase. It won’t be easy for Rohit to find his feet against Delhi though, with South African pacer Kagiso Rabada breathing down his neck. The quick has been in sensational form this season, currently leading the purple cap standings with 17 wickets in 8 matches. It promises to be a mouth-watering contest between two of the best in the world.
Shikhar Dhawan vs Jason Behrendorff
Behrendorff has added a new dimension to Mumbai’s bowling attack after joining the tournament and has been a canny operator for the franchise. He has provided able support to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga, picking up 5 wickets in his 5 matches. It will be a big challenge for him to open the bowling against the in-form Shikhar Dhawan, who has played the anchor role for Delhi brilliantly. Dhawan has scored 256 runs in the tournament so far at an average of 36.57, also notching his career-best IPL score of 97* against Kolkata Knight Riders. He has been a big factor in Delhi winning three matches on the trot and will look forward to playing the role of a senior figure in the team. Whoever of the two gets his team off to a better start will have the edge in terms of the result of the contest.
Rishabh Pant vs Ishan Kishan
Two of the best young wicketkeeping talents in the country, both have high expectations on their shoulders to be the future of India across all formats. Pant and Kishan are both highly aggressive batsmen, who are still rough around the edges and can frustrate their team management with some rash strokes. But the potential is unquestionable, and both the franchises have invested a lot of stock in their development. Pant and Kishan will be tasked with upping the scoring rate in the middle overs. If any of them finds the 7th gear in their batting tempo, it could take the game away from the opposition.
