IPL: Do or die match for Delhi Capitals

 

IPL: Do or die match for Delhi Capitals

MUMBAI: Delhi Capitals will face Mumbai Indians in the 69th match of the IPL to be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, which will only make it to the playoffs if they win. Delhi have 14 points from 13 matches after seven wins and are fifth in the table. The next win would put them on 16 points. Royal Challengers Bangalore are also fourth with 16 points after yesterday's win and their hopes rest on Delhi's defeat. Bangalore's net run rate is -0.253 while Delhi's net run rate is 0.255. In case both the teams have 16 points, the net run rate will decide the fourth team in the playoffs. Delhi's hopes rest on its opener David Warner. Warner, who became Delhi's leading run scorer this season, has scored 427 runs in 11 matches, with an average of 53.37 and a strike rate of 151.95. He has scored 389 runs in eight matches at an average of 64.83 against Mumbai since 2016. His last three scores against Mumbai are 36, 85* and 60. Khaleel Ahmed is one of the top wicket-takers this season with 16 wickets in nine matches at an average of 18.18, even after missing three matches due to injury. He has taken six wickets in three matches played against Mumbai. One of the best T20 players in the world right now, Mitchell Marsh has proved why he is special in T20 matches. In the powerplays, he has scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 136.90 and has been dismissed only twice. His last two scores are 89(62) and 63(48) and he has also taken four wickets in three innings. Mumbai's wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan's bat speaks well against Delhi. He has scored 386 runs in 12 matches against Delhi at an average of 48.25 and strike rate of 147.33. He has scored more runs against Delhi than any other IPL opposition. He took ten catches and also made two run outs in this season. Ishan Kishan's opening partner and Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma has finally come into form after scoring 48 off 36 balls against Hyderabad. He has scored 357 runs in 10 matches at the Wankhede Stadium since 2019 at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 135.74. He is the second highest run-scorer in the Powerplay in 2022 with 303 runs in 18 T20Is. Enrique Nortje has made a remarkable comeback after recovering from injury, taking seven wickets in the last four innings. He has taken five wickets in five innings against Mumbai. This season he has bowled four overs in the death overs where he has taken four wickets at an economy of 8.50.