IPL 2020: Match 51, DC vs MI – DC Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals (DC) have found themselves in a bit of a hole in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Shreyas Iyer-led unit were once the table-toppers and were the firm favourites to make the IPL playoffs.

However, the tables have turned a wee bit on them. The Capitals are on a three-match losing streak and are placed third in the points table with 14 points from 12 matches. DC will next be up against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday, October 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

In their previous meeting, it’s the Mumbai-based franchise, who came out trumps in Abu Dhabi. In fact, barring a miracle, MI are already through to the playoffs. For the time being, it remains to be seen if DC make any changes to their eleven from the previous game.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Delhi Capitals for DC vs MI game:

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane)

The Capitals have strained with their opening combination in recent times. Though Shikhar Dhawan has been in excellent touch with the bat, his partners haven’t been all that great by any stretch of the imagination.

After a couple of decent knocks, the young Prithvi Shaw entered into a slump. He was thereafter dropped and Ajinkya Rahane was roped in. But even Rahane hasn’t been able to deliver.

There’s a chance that the team management might drop Rahane and bring back Shaw for the opener’s slot. To make things worse, Dhawan has also gotten low scores in DC’s last two games.

Middle-order (Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer)

In the middle-order, Shreyas Iyer remains to be a key player for the Capitals. Though the DC captain only has two half-centuries from 12 games, the experience he brings in can’t be matched.

The right-handed batsman currently has 389 runs at a strike-rate of 127.54, but he needs support from others. Rishabh Pant started the tournament with a few decent knocks lower down the order.

But his campaign hasn’t taken off as of yet. A strike-rate of 115 sums up the struggles he has had. West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer has a top score of 45, but apart from that, the southpaw is yet to contribute a lot.

All-rounders (Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel)

Among the all-rounders, Marcus Stoinis holds the key to a large extent. The right-hander started with a few impressive knocks but seemed to have lost a bit of touch in recent times.

He was promoted up the order when the Capitals were chasing the mammoth target of 220 against SRH. But the move didn’t work out. With the ball, he has eight wickets at an economy of 9.92.

Axar Patel hasn’t let his team down by any means. The left-arm spinner is currently the most economical bowler for the Capitals with eight wickets. He also has the potential to use the long handle well.

Bowlers (Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Tushar Deshpande, Anrich Nortje)

In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada remains as their standout performer. He has 23 wickets but had a horrendous time last time around against the Sunrisers. The South African paceman can’t afford a dip in form.

His national team’s partner Anrich Nortje has bowled with pace and venom. Nortje has 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.79. Tushar Deshpande is the most expensive bowler for the Capitals with an economy of 11.29.

DC might put him aside and bring back Harshal Patel, who can also bat a bit. Ravi Ashwin has looked a tad of colour and he needs to be on top of his game.