It’ll be a repeat of last year’s IPL final, where MI sealed their fifth title, and seem to be continuing in the same vein this season as well, with back-to-back wins following the opening loss. Both wins came after they defended two relatively moderate totals – 152 and 150 – exhibiting their solid death-bowling resources.

It will be a stiffer challenge against Delhi though; under a new skipper, the Capitals have a win, loss, win pattern, their last game against PBKS resulting in a comfortable victory while chasing. Twice now they have chased down 185+ totals, but also managed just 147 in their loss to RR.

DC vs MI: IPL Head to head record

Overall: MI 16 – 12 DC

Since 2019: MI 5 -1 DC

Here’s the complete IPL 2021 schedule, along with TV and live streaming details.

DC MI Dream11 fantasy tips

• Given the form they are in, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw are must-haves. Dhawan is topping the run-charts at the moment, and if he can survive the potential threat against MI spinners early on, he could be in for a big one once again.
• MI have been terrific at the death, with Bumrah bowling really well in tandem with Trent Boult. The Indian quick is a safe buy (he hasn’t conceded more than 28 in his last seven IPL spells), along with Rahul Chahar, who has already picked up two three-wicket hauls in the tournament.
• Mumbai have the advantage of having played three games in Chennai already, as compared to Delhi, who are yet to play a game on this venue. All-rounders Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard are useful options to have – Pandya, in particular, has been fairly decent, and will have an idea of the lengths to bowl to DC’s middle order.
• In terms of wicketkeeping options, Rishabh Pant edges out Quinton de Kock, who has an aggregate of 69 runs at the venue, having been dismissed to a spinner thrice in his last three games here, a move DC will look to repeat via R Ashwin.
• Given his knowledge of the surface, R Ashwin is a solid buy, and could help stifle the run-flow in the powerplay, and snare the odd wicket as well.

Probable XI

MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav, Chris Woakes, R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Lukman Meriwala

Potential swaps:

Ishan Kishan for Suryakumar Yadav

Marcus Stoinis for Kieron Pollard

Captaincy picks (in order)

Rahul Chahar, Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin