Indian Premier League 2019 Match 34, Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Delhi vs Mumbai, one of the more keenly contested derbies in Indian domestic cricket, have taken that intensity to the IPL. Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, consistent contender for the wooden spoon, should ideally have been no rarely been match for three-time winner Mumbai Indians.

But Delhi have always found a way to lift their game against Mumbai; in fact, they are ahead in head-to-head numbers. And now, Delhi will host Mumbai for Match 34 of IPL 2019 at Feroz Shah Kotla on April 18.

At this point there is little to choose between the sides. Both teams have won 5 out of 8 matches, and are behind only Chennai Super Kings in the points table. Delhi (+0.418) hold a slight lead over Mumbai (+0.244) in net run rate.

Delhi came into the tournament with a strong batting line-up, and their top five have lived to expectations. To add to that, Kagiso Rabada holds the Purple Cap, Chris Morris has been among wickets, and Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, and Keemo Paul have been extremely economic. They are in definite contention for Eliminator 1, let along the Playoffs.

Mumbai have had a stop-start tournament. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard have been explosive, Quinton de Kock consistent, Jasprit Bumrah difficult to score off, Rahul Chahar a revelation, and Lasith Malinga has shown glimpses of his golden days.

Head to head

Of the 23 times the teams have clashed, Delhi have won 12 and Mumbai 11. The teams had met at Wankhede this time, where Rishabh Pant (78* in 27) pushed Shikhar Dhawan (43 in 36) and Colin Ingram (47 in 32) to the background. Delhi put up 213/6 as every Mumbai bowler went for 10 or more an over.

In response, Yuvraj Singh rolled the years back with a 35-ball 53, but it was never going to be enough against Rabada (2/23), Ishant (2/34), and Paul (3-0-21-1). Mumbai were bowled out for 176.

Key players

Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals): Pant was not selected for India’s World Cup party, something that could not have gone down to well with him. He was the star of Delhi’s win over Mumbai earlier this season, and his strike rate of 161 is the second-best among Indian cricketers this time.

Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians): Malinga has been inconsistent, but as he showed in his last match, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he still has a trick or two up his sleeve. The variations were aplenty, the yorkers were spot on, and he finished with 4-0-31-4. Brace yourself for an encore, perhaps.

Likely XIs

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Colin Munro, Chris Morris, Keemo Paul, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Jason Behrendorff, Rahul Chahar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Prediction

Delhi to ride their momentum to a win.