DC vs MI IPL 2019: Can the Delhi boys shock Mumbai too?

After starting the IPL 2019 with hiccups, Delhi Capitals have found their feet and are standing strong with five wins in eight games. The leadership of Ponting and Ganguly has tagged well with the youngsters in the team and with every game Delhi are becoming stronger and stronger.

Meanwhile Mumbai has kept themselves in the hunt with some close wins but Rohit Sharma will admit that the team hasn’t played according to the potential. Mumbai will be aware that a in-form Delhi is a mighty tough nut to crack and hence the franchise will hope that their players stand up to the task.

Venue:

All three games played at this venue in Indian Premier League season 12 have been won by team batting second. There is considerable help for the batsmen but the Ponting has complained about the wicket slowing down.

We are back at the #QilaKotla tomorrow and @trent_boult wants you to be there too ?

Toh kal #NeelaPehenkeAana aur DC ke liye roar machana! ? Tickets ? https://t.co/9GU5cv1u2O#ThisIsNewDelhi #DelhiCapitals #DCvMI pic.twitter.com/WyCtVAwo5V

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 17, 2019

Form guide:

Lack of big runs from Rohit’s bat is a concern while de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav have fared decently. Pollard has shown he is still a match-winner but he has been erratic. The hero so far has been Hardik Pandya and in the bowling department, Malinga’s presence will soothe the team.

The spin department though needs to step up and so does Bumrah.

? Touchdown Delhi ?

We're in the national capital for our next encounter ??#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #DCvMI @krunalpandya24 @hardikpandya7 @Jaspritbumrah93 @Mitch_Savage @sranbarinder pic.twitter.com/5NrDEgNmT7

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 16, 2019

Key Numbers:

• In head to head battles, it is an even contest between Mumbai and Delhi.  Mumbai has won 12 games while Delhi has won 11 games. Interestingly, Mumbai hasn’t defeated Delhi in the last three encounters. Mumbai’s last win came in 2017.

• Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs in matches played between DC and MI. The Mumbai skipper has amassed 530 runs at an average of 35.33 in 17 innings.

Players in focus:

Lasith Malinga in the @IPL:

Matches: 114 ?
Wickets: 161 ?#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/wd1uj9vBQy

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 16, 2019

He may have leaked runs at 9.06 runs per over in IPL 2019 but Lasith Malinga has earned 7 wickets in four games at an astonishing strike rate of 12.8, his best in all IPL seasons.

And he is coming fresh of a four wicket haul against Rajasthan in his previous match. So Delhi need to be watchful of the old fox.

Also check: SRH vs CSK: Dream11 Grand League Team 

Chris Morris hasn’t come good with the bat yet in IPL season 12 but he has done considerable damage with his bowling. In six games he has 11 wickets and has done the job of accomplishing Rabada perfectly.

And he is Delhi’s crucial death over soldier. His match-up against Hardik Pandya is worth looking-forward to.