IPL 2016, MI vs DD Match 47 Preview: Can the Daredevils knock the Indians out?

The Mumbai Indians have only 2 games in hand and losing against the Kings XI Punjab in their previous match did not help their cause to qualify for the playoffs. The only thing that the Indians can now do is to win their remaining 2 games and hope that the results of the other matches go in their favor.

The Delhi Daredevils won their previous match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and they won it with ease. They are in a much better position when compared to the Mumbai Indians. The Daredevils have 12 points from 10 matches and they still have 4 games in hand.

The Mumbai Indians have performed poorly in the 2 matches they have played in Visakhapatnam and the Daredevils can use this as a psychological advantage against the Indians.

Match Date and Time: 15 May 2016, 8 pm (IST)Match Venue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.

Weather:

Temperature: Max 31°C, Min 29°C

Humidity: Max 80%

Wind: 9 km per hour

Pitch Report: Par-score 140. Seamers will get some bounce and movement on this wicket.

In-Depth Analysis:

The Mumbai Indians have had a mixed season where they have chased targets of over 180 and they have also registered the lowest total of 92 in this season. Skipper Rohit Sharma has been the top scorer for the Indians with 428 runs in 12 innings including 5 fifties.

Parthiv Patel hasn’t quite been able to give good starts to the Indians at the top of the order, scoring 177 runs in 10 games and registering only 1 fifty in this season. Patel will need to be at the top of his game and take the responsibility of batting through the innings.

The Mumbai Indians have an explosive middle order with the likes of Kieron Pollard, Joss Buttler, and Ambati Rayudu, capable of chasing any target set by the opposition. Ambati Rayudu has scored 321 runs in 12 games including 2 fifties.

Mitch McClenaghan and Tim Southee have been excellent for the Mumbai Indians with the ball. McClenaghan is leading the race for the purple cap and has picked up 17 wickets with an economy rate of 8.17 runs per over. The Mumbai Indians can even rely on the services of Harbhajan Singh who has earned them the breakthrough at crucial stages.

The Delhi Daredevils have had the guidance of Rahul Dravid and he has been cleverly mixing up the players and choosing them according to the pitch. This pitch will favor the seamers and Carlos Brathwaite might get a chance against the Mumbai Indians.

Karun Nair has played extremely well for the Daredevils and he has scored 214 runs in 10 matches, including 2 fifties. Quinton de Kock will be the key for the Daredevils in the batting department opening alongside the pocket dynamite, Sanju Samson.

The Daredevils will be the favorites to win against the Mumbai Indians in Visakhapatnam. The Mumbai Indians have struggled to get going on this wicket and they will need to find a way to bat well on this wicket.