Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will kickstart the proceedings of the last double-headers weekend in the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as they square off in Match 51 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

While both the teams are in the top half of the points table, MI have already qualified for the playoffs. Meanwhile, DC, who are on the third spot on the points table after securing 7 wins from 12 games, will be looking to join MI in the playoffs.

In their last game, MI rode on Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliance to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by six wickets. On the other hand, DC, are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive losses, including an 88-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last game.

When these two teams last faced each other, MI had beaten DC by five wickets. While MI will be looking to repeat that performance, DC will be eager to make amends and with it, return to winning ways and here are the players who could play a big role in the outcome of the match:

Shreyas Iyer

There have been a few starts, including a fifty, for Shreyas Iyer following his 38-ball 88* against Kolkata Knight Riders, but the DC skipper will be looking to lead from the front and help his side to halt the three-match losing streak. The right-hander has the shots and can rotate between anchoring the innings and going hammer and tongs and if he comes to the party, it will bolster DC’s chances of a victory.

Suryakumar Yadav

10 fours, 3 sixes and 79* off 43 balls. Suryakumar Yadav, who has 362 runs against his name, was an absolute delight to watch as MI beat RCB in their last game. The right-hander made batting look like real fun and he will be looking to continue in some vein versus DC, an opposition against whom he had scored a half-century when these two teams last squared off.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada had a rare off day and went wicketless against SRH. However, it could just be a blip for him and Rabada, who is currently leading the bowling charts with 23 wickets to his name, will be eager to bounce back in some style. If he does that, DC will be in with a chance to secure a win.

Jasprit Bumrah

While Surya was a treat with the bat in hand against RCB, Jasprit Bumrah was simply brilliant with the ball. The right-arm pacer returned with the figures of 3/14, including an over at the death where he did not concede a run and picked two wickets. Bumrah has 20 wickets to his name so far and he will be eager to add a few more to his name when MI face DC.

Rishabh Pant vs Ishan Kishan

The former India Under-19 teammates will be up against each other for the first time this season. While Ishan Kishan has played a few good knocks in IPL 2020, Rishabh Pant will be looking to deliver a Pant special to win a battle within a battle with his former U19 colleague. If either or both come good, it will be a cracker of a contest.  

Stats

• Head-to-head records: Matches: 25, DC wins: 12, MI wins: 13

Approaching Milestones

• Rishabh Pant needs 11 runs to complete 2000 IPL runs.
• Shikhar Dhawan requires 17 runs to complete 750 IPL runs against MI.
• Quinton de Kock needs 79 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs for Mumbai Indians.
• Kieron Pollard is 6 sixes away from completing 200 IPL sixes.