Mumbai Indians will be going for their fifth IPL title in seven years when they play Delhi Capitals in the final. Here are the details.
When
Tuesday, November 10. 6pm UAE
Where
Dubai International Stadium
Weather
No time has been lost to weather in 59 matches of the 2020 IPL season so far – but the groundsman did have the covers on at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday afternoon for the first time.
It was precautionary. There were light showers in the capital, although the game went ahead unaffected.
There was heavier rainfall in Dubai that day, but at present, the forecast is clear for Tuesday evening.
The teams
Mumbai Indians
The franchise with the highest brand value in the competition have won the IPL more times than any other side.
They have won it in each odd-numbered year since 2013, and took the title with a one-run win over Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad last year.
Each of their titles have been won after batting first.
Their main selection concern is that of Trent Boult. The New Zealander has made a big impact since arriving from Delhi in the off season.
He managed just two overs in the qualifier match between these sides last week, before being kept off the field with a groin injury.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi, who rebranded from Daredevils to Capitals in December 2018, will be playing in their first IPL final.
They will likely be unchanged for the final from their qualifier win against Hyderabad on Sunday night.
That means struggling opener Prithvi Shaw will again sit out, with Ajinkya Rahane retained in the batting line up, and Shimron Hetmyer as the fourth overseas player instead of seamer Daniel Sams.
Form
The two sides will be meeting for the third time in the space of nine days – and the previous two were not even close. Neither was the first meeting of the sides this season.
With the most recent result first, Mumbai have won by 57 runs, nine wickets, and five wickets.
Mumbai finished top of the points table, with Delhi in second.
Delhi’s win over Hyderabad in Sunday’s qualifier was their second in their past seven matches.
Where to watch
Live on beIN Sports 13HD
Key battles
Quinton de Kock v Ravichandran Ashwin
Delhi were out of the game against Mumbai last time they met from more or less the moment De Kock smoked Sams for four off the first ball of the game.
Ashwin has dismissed the South African opener twice in the previous three meetings between the sides this season.
Don’t be surprised if Shreyas Iyer gives him the new ball, as he did against Hyderabad, so that he can get an early go at De Kock.
Suryakumar Yadav v Kagiso Rabada
Michael Vaughan last week termed Suryakumar one of the best players of spin in the world, but he has proved pretty proficient against pace during his purple patch with the bat in this tournament, too.
His only two dismissals in three matches against Delhi so far have come against South African quicks, Anrich Nortje and Rabada – but each time he had already passed 50.
Rabada reclaimed the purple cap for most wickets in the season from Jasprit Bumrah by taking four in Sunday’s win over Hyderabad.
Marcus Stoinis v Jasprit Bumrah
Odd to think that Bumrah made a rocky start to this season, given how outstanding he has been at the business end of the competition.
Stoinis was heroic with bat and ball against Hyderabad, despite already having his bags packed for the Australia v India series.
Delhi might be minded to open with him again, given his success in the role on Sunday.
However, it might be advisable to caution against it if it exposes him to Bumrah and Boult when the ball is swinging.
Shikhar Dhawan v Trent Boult
This season has been a case of feast or famine for Dhawan. He has made four ducks – yet is still within 67 runs of KL Rahul at the top of the run charts.
Against Mumbai themselves he has been out for nought twice, but batted through the innings for 69 not out in the other game.
Boult has six wickets in matches against his former team, including the double-wicket over which all but won them the game last time. He is an injury doubt, though.
