Until a few matches ago, the Delhi Capitals (DC) seemed primed for a top two finish as they rested comfortably on the top, but three loses in three games mean that they are desperate for a win to reach 16 points and assure themselves a qualification. An attempt for a top two would not even be on their mind right now.
However, make no mistake, they are still going strong and are amongst the top contenders to secure a playoff berth.
Delhi has more than their share of problems walking into this game, a situation they haven't really found themselves in this season.
Tushar Deshpande has failed to deliver upto the promise, denting the otherwise strong bowling unit. Kangiso Rabada went wicketless after 25 games. Ajinkya Rahane has failed to perform at the top, adding to their already existent problem of an out of form Prithvi Shaw. Rishabh Pant has had a season to forget, disrupting the balance of the squad.
They would also have their last encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the back of their mind. It was at a time when they were in peak form, and yet the 4-time IPL winners eased past them.
MI are a reassured unit, so much so that their skipper Rohit Sharma's injury has barely had an effect on their performance. Hardik Pandya, their star all-rounder has not bowled a single ball in the season, and there aren't any indications of him doing so in the near future, and MI don't look like a side who are missing their primary all-rounder's services. Their biggest positive however, has been the Boult-Bumrah combo at the top as well as towards the death. They have just played 13 players in the tournament so far, and are likely to get through with the same unless there is an injury concern.
Mumbai Indians are unlikely to make a change, unless there is an injury concern. Delhi however, would want to consider their options in Prithvi Shaw and Harshal Patel, replacing Ajinkya Rahane and Tushar Deshpande respectively. It's a tough call to make for the captain as well as the management.
Likely 11s:
DC: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw/Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, R Ashwin, Harshal Patel/Tushar Deshpande, Anrich Nortje
MI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard (c), James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
