Image Credit- MI
The bottom-of-the-table match between the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians will open Sunday’s doubleheader as both teams attempt to turn things around. The Capitals have only won one of their last four games, while Mumbai is currently without a victory. Additionally, both sides enter the contest fresh off of convincing losses.
The probable return of world-ranked T20I hitter Suryakumar Yadav, who trained with the team for the first time on Friday after missing the season’s opening, will be a significant advantage for the hosts. If he is cleared to play, he will provide Mumbai’s batting department much-needed firepower. After being limited to just 125 in their most recent game against the Rajasthan Royals, they need to have some confidence in this department.
The Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting was “almost embarrassed” by his team’s performance, which ended in a 106-run loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Rishabh Pant’s second consecutive half-century was a huge plus for them.
Pant made his comeback to professional cricket in the IPL 2024 following a near-fatal vehicle accident in December 2022. Pant lit up the scoreboard against the Chennai Super Kings and KKR following a sluggish start to the season. He also appears to be batting with a lot of freedom. Pant is the only significant batting threat Mumbai will be wary of, other from David Warner.
However, they have the well-prepared Jasprit Bumrah on their side. After missing the IPL 2023 due to injury, Bumrah has been Mumbai’s most impressive bowler this season. In 13 IPL games, Bumrah has removed Pant six times, more than any other bowler.
Pant has also had difficulty getting runs off Bumrah, hitting him for 111.62.
Mumbai may use Bumrah in a variety of ways and save him for this important matchup because they also have Akash Madhwal attacking. The way this conflict plays out may have a significant impact on how the game turns out.