🏏IPL 2024: Match 20 - MI vs DC at Mumbai @ 3:30PM IST🏏

🏏IPL 2024: Match 20 - MI vs DC at Mumbai on 07/04/2024 @ 3:30PM IST🏏

[Logo Credit - Wildestdreams]

Suryakumar's potential return brightens bottom-of-table clash. Rishabh Pant vs Jasprit Bumrah could be a key contest to determining the result of this Sunday-afternoon clash

Sunday's double-header will be kicked off by a bottom-of-the-table clash as Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals look to turn their fortunes around. Mumbai are still without a win, while Capitals have won just one of their four games. And both teams are coming into the game on the back of comprehensive defeats.

One major boost for the hosts will be the potential return of the world's No. 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav, who trained with the squad for the first time on Friday after missing the start of the season. He will add much-needed firepower to Mumbai's batting should he be cleared to play - and it's a department they need some confidence in after being restricted to just 125 in their last match against Rajasthan Royals.

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, suffered a 106-run defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders, a performance that left their head coach Ricky Ponting "almost embarrassed". But their one big positive was Rishabh Pant scoring his second consecutive half-century.

IPL 2024 has marked Pant's return to professional cricket after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. After a slow start to the season, Pant blazed quick fifties against Chennai Super Kings and KKR, and seems to be batting with a great degree of freedom. Apart from David Warner, Pant is the one big batting threat Mumbai will be vary of.

But they have on their side an in-form Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who has been the standout bowler for Mumbai this season after missing IPL 2023 with injury, has dismissed Pant six times in 13 games in the IPL, getting him out more often than any other bowler.

Pant has also struggled to score quickly off Bumrah, striking at 111.62 against him.

With Akash Madhwal in their attack as well, Mumbai can be flexible in their use of Bumrah, and can save him up for this crucial match-up. How this battle pans out could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game.

[Tag Credit - Sutapasima]

Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals pitch report

The Wankhede Stadium pitch report will be available on Star Sports, JioCinema and IPLT20.com before the game starts. Generally, the venue offers a batting-friendly pitch, with some assistance for fast bowlers at the start.

Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals weather forecast

It will be a sunny afternoon in Mumbai today with the temperature hovering around 33 degrees Celsius. The humidity levels will be in the range of 37%, while the chances of rain are 0%.

Pitch and conditions

Last year, the Wankhede was a high-scoring ground, but this match will see the same strip used as in the match against Royals. That pitch was not used in IPL 2023, and it proved to be a tricky one to bat on. There was seam movement early on and the ball also held in the pitch as the match wore on. So expect batters to work hard for their runs.

MI vs DC Head-to-Head Record:

MI have been up against DC in the league in 32 instances. The 5-time champions have a slight upper hand with a total of 17 wins to their name, and DC have 15 wins to their name. Three of their games ended in a tie or without a result. The home side has a good chance of bettering their record against the visiting side.

Total Matches Played 33:

Matches won by Mumbai Indians 18

Matches won by Delhi Capitals 15

Matches Tied or No Result 00

HEAD TO HEAD - LAST 5 MATCHES

MI won by 6 wickets (with 0 balls remaining), 12-Apr-2023

MI won by 5 wickets (with 5 balls remaining), 22-May-2022

DC won by 4 wickets (with 10 balls remaining), 27-Mar-2022

DC won by 4 wickets (with 5 balls remaining), 02-Oct-2021

DC won by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining), 21-Apr-2021

Batters To Watch(recent stats)

Suryakumar Yadav, MI

7 M • 338 Runs • 67.6 Avg • 178.83 SR

Ishan Kishan, MI

10 M • 218 Runs • 24.22 Avg • 151.38 SR

David Warner, DC

10 M • 358 Runs • 35.8 Avg • 151.05 SR

Rishabh Pant, DC

4 M • 152 Runs • 38 Avg • 158.33 SR

Bowlers To Watch(recent stats)

Akash Madhwal, MI

8 M • 17 Wkts • 7.62 Econ • 9.35 SR

Piyush Chawla, MI

10 M • 9 Wkts • 9.5 Econ • 22.66 SR

Khaleel Ahmed, DC

10 M • 12 Wkts • 8.54 Econ • 19.5 SR

Ishant Sharma, DC

8 M • 9 Wkts • 9.57 Econ • 15.33 SR

In the spotlight - Akash Madhwal and Khaleel Ahmed

For their first two games, Mumbai Indians opted for the extra spin option in Shams Mulani, but brought in Akash Madhwal for their first home game of the season. Madhwal, who made his debut in the back half of the 2023 season, had impressed for Mumbai in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, even registering record figures of 5 for 5 in the Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants. In his first match this year, he accounted for Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and R Ashwin as he gave away just 20 runs in his four overs. He was a rare positive on an otherwise forgettable day for Mumbai, who will hope he can continue to deliver. The last time he played a day game at the Wankhede, he took four wickets to slow Sunrisers down after a 140-run opening stand.

Capitals would have undoubtedly taken notes from the Royals' powerplay performance with the ball in the last match at the Wankhede, and have, in Khaleel Ahmed, a left-arm seamer who they know can cause significant damage at the top. Khaleel went for runs against KKR, but has generally been threatening with the new ball, as he displayed in his first spell against CSK. He averages 19.5 with the ball against Mumbai, an impressive record that he will look to better.

Don't forget to send your predictions for the first match of today's double header

Toss Prediction by 3:00 PM

Rest of the predictions by 3.30PM

Whenever you make a change, press the Submit Prediction tab again.

[Tag Credit - Sutapasima]

Quotes

"I don't think [fans] should boo Hardik Pandya. The franchise has appointed him as captain. That's what happens in sport, whether you captain India or whether you captain your state or whether you captain your franchise, you are appointed as captain. Rohit Sharma is different class, his performance for his franchise and for India has been a different level whether as captain or player. It is not Hardik's fault he has been appointed captain."

Capitals director of cricket Sourav Ganguly lends support to Mumbai Indians' new captain

Thank you❤️

Stats that matter

• Since the start of IPL 2022, Mumbai Indians have a 45.8% win percentage with Suryakumar Yadav in their side. The number drops to 22.2% without him.
• Rohit Sharma has struggled to score against Axar Patel, scoring just 51 runs off 61 deliveries against the left-arm spinner. Axar has also got him out twice in nine innings.
• Akash Madhwal has a bowling average of 11.1 at the Wankhede stadium, with 10 wickets in four matches at the ground.

Scenario 1

Mumbai Indians win the toss and bowl

Power Play score – 50-60

First Innings Score - 180-190

Mumbai Indians win the match

Scenario 2

Delhi Capitals win the toss and bowl

Power Play score - 60-70

First Innings Score - 210-220

Mumbai Indians win the match