IPL 2024: MI vs DC Match 20- Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Two strong teams with some excellent T20 players are struggling to find their feet during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Mumbai Indians (MI) will venture out onto the field once again in front of their home fans to take on Delhi Capitals (DC). It is set to be a day game and the harsh summer of Mumbai will play a key role in the outcome of the game. 

Hardik Pandya’s captain has been questioned and criticized after MI have lost their first three games of the season. Such a start is nothing new for MI fans who have come back from the dead in the previous seasons as well. The alarming fact that MI fans are confronted with is their below-par bowling unit and their less-than-ordinary batting.

While Rishabh Pant has led his side to a win against CSK, they were brought crashing down to earth in their last game. 272 runs were conceded by Delhi Capitals bowlers as the Kolkata Knight Riders ran riot and made merry with the bat. Such a hiding will play in the minds of every DC player and they will want to take out their frustrations against an under-pressure MI side.

Here are the top three player battles for the MI vs DC for the 20^th match of IPL 2024:

3. Tim David vs Axar Patel

In one of the key player battles during the MI vs DC game on Sunday, the fans will want to see how Axar Patel bowls to Tim David. The Australian star is known for his explosive batting against spin and pace alike.

Axar Patel on the other hand has the knack of bowling well to the right-handed batters. The stump-to-stump line he employs has seen many batters try to cut the ball. This has resulted in the batters getting bowled or getting caught behind.

2. David Warner vs Jasprit Bumrah

Two key players who head into battle for their respective teams in what could ultimately define the result. The key player battle between David Warner and Jasprit Bumrah has all the ingredients to be massive. Delhi Capitals opener David Warner will want to take the attack to the MI bowlers in what will be a cracking pitch for batting.

Jasprit Bumrah meanwhile, has been the best MI bowler so far in IPL 2024. The 30-year-old tends to push the ball away from the left-handed batters. David Warner hasn’t been shy of poking the ball going away from him. This has led to his downfall either caught behind the wicket or chopping the ball back onto his own stumps.

1. Rohit Sharma vs Khaleel Ahmed 

There is immense pressure on Rohit Sharma as he will walk out to bat on Sunday for his side. The 36-year-old had failed to score in the previous game versus Rajasthan Royals and was dismissed by former teammate Trent Boult. The former MI skipper needs to fire on all cylinders to help his side out of the rot they find themselves in. 

Khaleel Ahmed has been the main weapon for Rishabh Pant this season. The left-arm pacer from Tonk has repaid the faith bestowed upon him with 6 wickets for DC this season. Rohit Sharma’s penchant and weakness against left-arm seamers can be exploited early and there is no better bowler than Khaleel Ahmed to do it.