The final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will be played between the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. After 59 high-spirited games, it comes down to MI and DC fighting it out for the IPL trophy. Both teams finished in the top two during the league stage of the competition.
Mumbai Indians have registered wins in 10 games out of the 15 they have played in IPL 2020 despite captain Rohit Sharma missing 4 matches. While their batsmen have put their hand up, on various occasions during the IPL 2020 season, it has been their bowling unit that has also played a key role. Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult have scalped as many as 49 wickets in the season so far. Apart from that, MI also boasts of the Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard, all of whom add much-needed balance to the side.
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Although Rohit is going through a rough patch, the defending champions would fancy their chances of a win to successfully defend their title. On the other hand, DC has gone through a lot of ups and down in recent times, but they would be glad to have reached their first IPL final. Adding Shikhar Dhawan and Kagiso Rabada, both of whom rank among the top players with bat and ball respectively, to the equation only sweetens the deal for the Capitals.
DC doesn’t have fond memories about their previous clashes against MI, who have beaten the Capitals in their last four IPL games. With all to play for in Dubai, a game for the history books could potentially unfold as the 2020 edition of the IPL draws to a close.
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As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on:-
#1 Quinton de Kock vs Anrich Nortje
Quinton de Kock did very well as an opener in the absence of Rohit Sharma as he has amassed 483 runs in 15 games at a brilliant strike rate of 139.59 with four fifties. In the qualifier, he will be facing his South African national teammate Anrich Nortje, whose pace has proved too hot to handle for a number of talented batsmen.
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In fact, it was his bowling effort of 3 for 33 against RCB that helped lift DC to reach the playoffs comfortably. Nortje is one of the leading wicket-taker this season, picking up 20 wickets from 15 games. He will have the unenviable task of trying to unsettle de Kock early in the innings.
#2. Kieron Pollard vs Kagiso Rabada
The veteran MI cricketer, Kieron pollard has had a decent outing in the tournament thus far, but a bit below-par by his own high standards but on his day remains a formidable opponent regardless of the format, such is his ability to fashion run-scoring opportunities. Kagiso Rababda has been DC’s go-to man whenever they needed wickets and they will hope he can dismiss the MI veteran early and thus increase their chances of a victory.
#3 Shikhar Dhawan vs Jasprit Bumrah
Delhi Capitals’ fortunes have been immensely dependent on that of Shikhar Dhawan in IPL 2020. After an average start, he remained unbeaten in three of the four innings. DC will need the run-scoring version of Dhawan against MI in the first qualifier. His tussle with MI pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah at the start of the innings could be match-defining.
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As mentioned earlier, every time Dhawan has failed in IPL 2020, Delhi has struggled to score runs and Bumrah will look to go the extra mile to scalp Dhawan early, as a few other teams have successfully done. Jasprit has picked up 27 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 12.44 and an economy rate of under seven. As an attacking batsman, Dhawan will look to take on Bumrah, and whoever wins the contest will put their team in the driver’s seat.
