DC battle for survival against wounded MI in clash of heavyweights

There is a reason why the Indian Premier League is called one of the best franchise tournaments in the world. In a competition spanning two months with 68 riveting games filled with ebbs and flows, there are two teams fighting for a place in the final four of the competition.

With the fortunes of the Royal Challengers Bangalore hanging by a thread, all eyes will be on one of the most crucial matches in this edition as the Delhi Capitals set foot at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians, aiming to record a win and sail through to the playoffs. 

While Mumbai have endured a dismal campaign and have struggled to get going throughout the extravaganza, they would like to salvage some pride and finish on a high on their home turf. 

On the other hand, the Capitals are currently placed fifth in the points table, and a win for them will power them to the fourth position courtesy of a better Net Run Rate than the Challengers. 

It is fair to say that the stakes are rocketing sky high for the two sides, more so titled towards the Capitals in this Saturday night blockbuster. Here are some of the key talking points that can decide the outcome of this high-voltage clash. 

The curious case of Prithvi Shaw

One of the most destructive opening combinations in this edition, Prithvi Shaw and David Warner have dismantled the bowling unit in the seven innings they have opened thus far and scored 341 runs at an average of 48.7 and a strike rate of 170.5. 

However, with the right-handed batter missing the last few games due to a bout of typhoid, Delhi have failed to lay a solid foundation at the top of the order. 

While they tried Mandeep Singh, KS Bharat and Sarfaraz Khan in the four matches, Delhi have been jolted early with the bat. 

With the 22-year old discharged from the hospital and recovering well, it will be interesting to see the tactics deployed by the Capitals heading into this crunch game. 

While the pair of Shaw and Warner will be an asset for them, the fitness concern regarding the flamboyant Indian batter is set to give the team management plenty to ponder for the next 24 hours. 

Mumbai bank on Tilak Varma amid the middle-order muddle 

And as we speak of the opening combinations, Mumbai boast of a formidable one in Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. However, the duo have failed to create an impact in the competition, resulting in enormous pressure on the middle-order. 

While Suryakumar Yadav shouldered the bulk of the responsibility of the side in the games he featured, Mumbai also, amid the chaos, have unearthed a star in Tilak Varma. 

Mumbai acquired the services of the southpaw for 1.7 crores ahead of the mega auction, and boy he has delivered beyond the expectations of the fans across the globe. 

With utmost calmness in high-pressure situations, Tilak has played according to the situation and scored 376 runs in 13 innings at an average of 37.6, including seven scores over the 30-run mark, which is the most by a batter before turning 20. 

In a rather horrific season for the Mumbai Indians, Tilak has been the only shining light for the five-time champions, and Rohit would hope for the teenager to showcase his talent in one of the biggest stages of his career. 

Rishabh Pant's diminishing returns 

While we are speaking of a classy left-handed batter, there is another batter in the opposition camp who is known for his dominating strokeplay across the ground. 

Well, yes, you guessed it right, we are talking about the player who is currently at the helm of affairs of Delhi outfit, Rishabh Pant. 

The skipper of the Capitals has blown hot and cold in this edition, and the team will rely on him to play a match-defining inning and help them get over the line. 

The southpaw has endured tough outings against the fast bowlers this season and has managed to score only 109 runs in 10 innings at an average of 15.6 and has been dismissed seven times compared to an average of 64 with 192 runs and three dismissals against the spinners.

While he has struggled against pacers, things will be a tad bit difficult for him when he walks in at the Wankhede facing Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm bowler has an average of 7.8 and has dismissed Pant on six occasions in 12 innings.

One last time for the fans this season

The captain of the Delhi side will not only have to counter the Bumrah threat but also the support of thousands of fans supporting the home team in their last fixture this season. 

There is a reason Mumbai Indians have been a successful side, probably one of the most loved franchises along with Chennai Super Kings — it's their fan base. 

And for tomorrow, they will have 25 special supporters rooting for them as the Royal Challengers Bangalore will wait eagerly for Mumbai to find form and help them get through the final four. 

Over to you, Mumbai!

Probable XI:

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Ramandeep Singh, Tristan Stubbs, Tim David, Daniel Sams, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanjay Yadav, Riley Meredith