The second match in the Indian Premier League on Sunday is a big one for both sides involved as the Mumbai Indians play their final home match of the season when they face the Delhi Daredevils in Visakhapatnam.
A defeat for Mumbai here will leave their playoff hopes hanging by a thread while a loss for Delhi would be a significant blow to their chances of making it beyond the regular season so the stakes are high as ever.
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions gave up the chance to make a significant impression on the top four in their last match when they were well beaten by the Kings XI Punjab and as a result their only hope is really to win both remaining matches and hope. There is a scenario where if they lose here but beat Gujarat in their final match they could sneak through on net run rate but plenty of results need to go their way for that.
Mumbai’s batting looked like it was going to click into gear halfway through the season but it has stalled again and that is a big concern. If they can find some runs at the top to support Rohit Sharma they might yet find the two wins they desperately need.
Delhi Daredevils
The Daredevils gained ground on the field in their last match when they came up with the answer for seeing off the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They won the match with the ball in truth, like they have so many matches this season, but it was another chance to be impressed by their excellent young batsmen.
Quinton de Kock has really shone with the bat this season but Rishabh Pant looks a real star in the making and if they can continue to go well then with the options Delhi have with the ball they will be tough to beat for the rest of the season.
Team news
Rohit Sharma suggested they were going to look to bring in an overseas batsman to add to their batting power. That would appear to mean either Martin Guptill or Corey Anderson will get a game here. You would think Tim Southee is the man most likely to miss out.
You never truly know with Delhi which side they will pick. Zaheer Khan missed the last match but he is said to have been involved in training before this one so I expect him to come back into the side. That might allow the opportunity for Sam Billings to return.
Form
Mumbai Indians: LWLLWLWWWLWL
Delhi Daredevils: LWWWLWWLLW
Head to head: Mumbai Indians 8-9 Delhi Daredevils
In Visakhapatnam: First meeting
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium
This is the fourth match to be played here this season. Mumbai Indians have played two matches on what is their adopted home ground and they have been well beaten both times. Apart from the Sunrisers’ innings against them the scoring has tended to be low here.
This match is said to be on a new wicket so whether that will assist the batsmen remains to be seen but you would think the bowlers are always going to be in the game with the larger boundaries protecting them a little more.
Betting
You have to be concerned about Mumbai’s chances here. When the season began they set their side up with hitters to clear the small ropes by playing through the line on a belting batting wicket at the Wankhede and then halfway through they were shifted here to Visakhapatnam and that has not been ideal.
This wicket doesn’t suit their batsmen anything like as well as the Wankhede and it has shown in their two performances here so far. Against a strong Delhi Daredevils attack you’ve got to think there is a strong chance of that trend continuing.
Delhi’s batting looks to be coming to the fore again and even though they’ve mixed and messed with the make up of their bowling attack they have generally always bowled well in this tournament. Delhi have already defended a score against Mumbai this season which is encouraging and at odds against they look extremely good value here.
Tips
Back Delhi Daredevils to beat Mumbai Indians for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Unibet
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