Match Number 13, April 20, 2021
Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Time – 1930 PM IST
Likely playing conditions-
One cannot expect conditions to change overnight when it comes to the Chennai pitch as it has shown two facets to its nature. With the new ball it is a dream pitch to bat on but once the ball gets old the spinners and the fast bowlers with their change of pace have troubled the batsmen especially with towards the back end of the innings as run scoring becomes an issue.
Likely Playing XI for Mumbai Indians –
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Quinton De Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Adam Milne
Likely playing XI for Delhi Capitals
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (Captain and WK), Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav, Ravi Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Chris Woakes and Meriwala
Likely Star Performers with the bat –
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Mumbai Indians will again hope that Rohit Sharma and Quinton De Kock give the team a blazing start as the duo have threatened to fire during the two games they have opened together. The form of Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard to will be looked at keenly by the Mumbai fans
For Delhi the openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan would want to come back and avenge the misery Mumbai bowlers namely Trent Boult put them through last season also the form of Rishabh Pant will be crucial.
Likely Star performers with the ball
Delhi will look to the guile of Ravichandran Ashwin as he comes back to his home turf in Chennai and the familiarity with the ground will hold Delhi in good stead. The early promise shown by Avesh Khan and the swing of Chris Woakes could also spell danger for Mumbai
Mumbai will look to the trio of Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult who have in some good form with the ball; Chahar in particular has picked 7 wickets with the ball in the last two games to change the complexion of the game for Mumbai.
Players to tread caution with
Hardik Pandya has not really come out all guns blazing during the opening few games of the IPL and he would be looking to make this day special with the bat as the 27 year old is due for a big score
Delhi fans would have to tread caution with Steve Smith as he is just coming in to battle mode and looked rusty in his first game for Delhi Capitals against Punjab kings on Sunday.