IPL 2020, Qualifier 1: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals - MI Predicted XI

Defending champions, Mumbai Indians(MI) will take on Delhi Capitals(DC) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2020 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday. While DC is coming off a victory and MI from a loss in their respective final league match, MI will start the contest as a major favourite. The table-toppers have beaten Delhi twice this season in the league stage.

Mumbai lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH) by 10 wickets on Tuesday in what could be the wake-up call MI might have needed. However, MI rested three of their key players for the clash with SRH, and surely their return will bolster the team significantly.

IPL 2020: Qualifier 1: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals- MI Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock is currently the leading run-scorer for Mumbai this season and has given MI quick starts throughout. He has scored 443 runs at an average of 36.9 and a strike rate of 138. The South-African took extra responsibility in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Now with Sharma back in the team, the left-hander will have more freedom to play his shots. The 27-year-old has been sharp behind the stumps.

Rohit Sharma

The great news for Mumbai and Indian cricket fans is that Rohit Sharma is back in the eleven and as he confirmed after the game that his injury is absolutely fine. However, Rohit hasn’t been at his absolute best this season before he got injured. The right-hander has scored 264 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 126.

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav is having his breakthrough IPL season. He is not only amassing runs but doing it at a quick rate. Yadav has scored 410 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 150 and has recorded 3 half-centuries. The right-hander has a 360-degree range and has shown a great deal of calmness and maturity in run-chases.

Ishan Kishan

With Rohit Sharma back in the eleven, Ishan Kishan will slot down back to the middle order where he started the tournament. The southpaw has performed every role asked to him by the MI management. Kishan has opened, batted at four, and pushed further down if the designated finishers have to come up to bat- he has proved his versatility by being a floater in the eleven.

The left-hander is the second leading run-scorer for Mumbai having scored 428 runs at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 140.

Hardik Pandya

A major difference between MI and other teams this season has been the contribution from their lower middle-order; the trio of Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Krunal Pandya. The younger Pandya because of his back issues hasn’t been bowling, but he has been smacking sixes for fun with the bat.

Hardik has a strike rate of 174 this season. He has scored 241 runs at an average of 34 and has displayed a fearless brand of batting. The right-hander was rested for the last two games and will slot back in for Saurabh Tiwary.

Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard, arguably, is the best finisher in IPL 2020. Pollard has been a terrorizing threat to the bowlers in the death overs. He has been dismissed just thrice in 10 innings. The right-hander has scored 259 runs at an average of 86 strike rate of 193, which is the highest this season for a batsman with a minimum of 10 innings.

The 33-year-old captained the team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, and he has done a terrific job as a leader. Mumbai won three out of the four games in which the West Indian led them. With Hardik, not bowling, Pollard has chipped in with some overs of his own.

Krunal Pandya

As Hardik is not fit to bowl, his elder brother, Krunal Pandya, took the role of the fifth bowler, and he hasn’t disappointed. He has chipped in with wickets at times, but importantly he hasn’t leaked runs- Krunal has an economy of 7.59, which is admirable considering the batsman are always looking to target the fifth bowler.

The left-hander has displayed his power-hitting ability with some handy cameos, and he has been brilliant in the field as well.

James Pattinson

James Pattinson was drafted in the Mumbai Indians squad as an injury replacement for Lasith Malinga. The Aussie pacer had the trust of the MI think-tank as he was included in the eleven from the first game of the season. The pacer was rested at times in the tournament to manage his fitness and the workload.

Pattinson has 11 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 9.01. Nathan Coulter-Nile, who gives extra batting depth, will be competing for the spot as well. However, Pattinson seems likely to starting over Coulter-Nile.

Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar has done a magnificent job for Mumbai Indians in the middle-overs, by not only choking the batters but also picking wickets. Chahar has picked 15 wickets at an economy of 7.18. The 21-year-old has climbed leaps and bounds in the past couple of IPL seasons. He will also be soon reconsidered for the national team after playing a solitary game for the men in blue.

Jasprit Bumrah

Arguably, the best pacer in the world currently, Jasprit Bumrah has been a sensation for Mumbai Indians for the past few years. The right-arm pacer has picked 23 wickets this season and is just two behind Kagiso Rabada, after playing a game less. Bumrah will return to the team in place of Dhawal Kulkarni after resting against SRH.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult has been the strike bowler for Mumbai Indians with the new ball. The Kiwi has constantly dented the opposition batting in the powerplay. The left-arm seamer is not far behind Bumrah, as he has picked 20 wickets. However, his death bowling is a concerning issue for MI as he has been taken for runs in the last stage of the innings. Boult will come back in place of Coulter-Nile or Pattinson.

Also Read: We Can Win The Three Matches That Stand Between Us And The IPL Title: AB De Villiers