Mumbai Indians' batting gives them edge in clash of two top bowling attacks
They also come into the Qualifier against the Delhi Capitals with the experience of more success in the IPL playoffs
Big Picture
In the news
- R Ashwin went off the field as soon as he completed his quota of four overs in the Capitals' last league game, against the Royal Challengers. It's understood he was carrying a hamstring injury into the match. However, he bowled in the nets on the eve of the Qualifier, so expect him to be in action.
Previous meetings
Likely XIs
Strategy punts
- In T20 cricket, Dhawan, Rahane and Iyer have a combined total of 159 runs at a strike rate of 134.75 against Bumrah without ever being dismissed. In contrast, each of Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel average less than 12 against Bumrah at a strike rate of under 110. Given Boult has provided a breakthrough inside the powerplay in ten out of the 14 games, the Mumbai Indians can use Bumrah more against the middle order than the top order.
Stats that matter
- Teams batting first have won 15 out of 24 games played in Dubai this IPL. The average first-innings total at this ground has been 171.
- The Mumbai Indians pacers have taken 60 wickets, the most for any team this IPL. The Capitals are just behind them with 59. They are also the only two bowling units to have an economy of under ten in overs 16 to 20.
- While batting first this season, Iyer has scored 320 runs in nine innings, at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 133. Batting second, he has 101 runs in five innings, an average of 20 and a strike rate of 98.
- Shaw's form has nosedived after first five games, where he scored 179 runs at an average of 35.8 and a strike rate of 148. Since then he has only 49 runs in seven innings.
- Dhawan has five scores of 50 or more in this IPL but he also been dismissed in the single digits five times.
Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo