IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils, 5 winning factors
After wins against the Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab, the Delhi Daredevils campaign has gone off the boil in the last couple of games. In fact, they have tasted defeat in all their encounters against stronger opponents so far - Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
So when they take the field today against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede, they have an unenviable task ahead, that of coming better against the most in-form team in the tournament.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils, Face Off
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have fewer worries. Their top order has collectively been in brilliant form and has been able to win them games even with the poor form of their skipper and best batsman, Rohit Sharma. The bowling has been less spectacular in comparison, but the batting has been able to overshadow any shortcomings.
Here are five factors that could play a decisive role when the two sides meet today:
#1 With the Bat
The Mumbai Indians’ top-order are in ominous form going into the game. Parthiv Patel has consistently given the team good starts and Jos Buttler roared back to his best during his innings of 77 in the last game. Nitish Rana has been the star of the season, scoring 3 fifties and crossing 40 in four out of six innings.
With the Pandya brothers and Pollard also chipping in with crucial contributions, Rohit Sharma has not been required to wield his bat much this season, and that is a dangerous sign for any team facing the Mumbai Indians.
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In contrast, Delhi Daredevils have some issues to sort out. Sanju Samson has been fluent at the start in every innings since his brilliant century. But Delhi have not got from Sam Billings the kind of innings that they would have hoped for from someone expected to match Quinton de Kock’s contributions last year.
Karun Nair, who has been out of touch for several innings ever since his triple century against England, put up a better show in the last game. Rishabh Pant had a rare off day, whereas Shreyas Iyer’s fifty against Sunrisers signalled his return to form in IPL after a poor season last year.