Defending champions takes on Delhi in the mega final of the Indian T20 League 2020 in Dubai. Mumbai won the first qualifier to reach into the finals, and Delhi edged past Hyderabad in the second qualifier to crack their maiden berth in the final.
Team Preview
Indian T20 League 2020 is in its final round, and Dubai is hosting Mumbai and Delhi in the title clash on Tuesday. Delhi’s campaign gave us a roller-coaster ride with too many ups and downs, but somehow, they managed to enter the final.
In 2019, Chennai broke all their hopes by knocking them out of the second qualifier, but this time, they overcame this big hurdle against Hyderabad. New opening pair, poor fielding show from the opponent, and the good team combination, Delhi ticked all the points on Saturday to edge past Hyderabad.
In the last 7 matches, it was their 2nd victory, and luckily, they are in the final.
Ponting’s side is one step away to achieve the maiden title triumph, but the task is not easy. They are playing against a side who defeated them thrice in the tournament convincingly. Both sides met twice in the last nine days, and Delhi was hammered by Mumbai. In the first qualifier, Pandya smashed hard, and Bumrah-Boult shattered their batting unit. To defeat Mumbai in the final, Delhi requires two things. First, they play out of their skin, and second, Mumbai have an off day. Mumbai is playing its 6th final, and they have won it four times; the only loss came against Chennai in 2010. Under Rohit Sharma, they hold the nerves in the big game.
Ponting’s move in the top-order was pretty bold as he sent Stoinis to bat, Usually we saw Stoinis as an opener in the Australian T20 League for Melbourne. Stoinis was in good touch in both playoff games. When teh top-order score, the middle-order gets a positive mindset to smash in death-overs, and Hetmyer provided the same last Sunday. Delhi settled their combination at the right time. Stoinis and Dhawan in the start and Rahane as a sheet-anchor in middle-order, Delhi can give Mumbai a stern show with a different approach.
Meanwhile, Mumbai can only lose if they play a bad game. Almost every side has seen their downfall in this long tournament, but Mumbai remained constant. They lost the toss in so many games, but it didn’t affect their attitude. The only change Mahela can try at the top is promoting Ishan Kishan in the opening slot and sending Rohit in the middle-order. Suryakumar is in the form of his life, and Delhi needs to find some unique plan to stop him in the final. Pandya and Pollard at the finishing end are dangerous for any bowling unit. Bumrah and Boult are picking wickets in the powerplay with a controlled economy. Rahul Chahar uses that pressure to pick breakthroughs. It’s a season for Mumbai, and they can repeat what Chennai did in 2011.
Pitch Report
Dubai’s surface is a pure T20 track. It has bit dew, bit grass, and plenty of spins. Batting is not so difficult. Batsmen can take advantage later as the match progresses. Toss would be crucial, but it’s all about the nerves in the end, so the batting first would be an ideal call.
Possible XI
Mumbai
Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar
Delhi
Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Praveen Dubey, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Key Players
Mumbai
Ishan Kishan
M: 13, Runs: 483, Avg: 53.66
Jasprit Bumrah
M: 14, Wickets: 27, Avg: 13.92
Delhi
Shikhar Dhawan
M: 16, Runs: 603, Avg: 46.38
Kagiso Rabada
M: 16, Wickets: 29, Avg: 17.79
