Delhi out to get a foot in play-offs

The Daredevils were impressive in the first half of the league but inconsistency struck them in the later part as they lost back-to-back matches. Their comfortable win over Sunrisers must have brought back the confidence in the Zaheer Khan-led side. 

A win at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday will help the Delhi team put a foot into the play-offs. With 12 points, from 10 matches, the Daredevils are currently on third spot behind Sunrisers (14) and Gujarat Lions (14). For Mumbai, on the other hand, it will be a do-or-die match as a loss on Sunday will leave them on the verge of being knocked out of the race for play-offs. 

They now have 12 points from 12 games and are at fifth in the league table. After tomorrow, they will have just one match left in the league. Against Sunrisers, the Daredevils dished out a top-class all-round show, that too without captain Zaheer who missed the game due to a niggle. 

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra continued his good form in the league with two wickets and pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile chipped in with two scalps as the Sunrisers batsmen were restricted to a small total of 146 for 8. While chasing the target, the Daredevils batsmen clicked as a unit with in-form South African opener Quinton de Kock top-scoring with a 44. Promising domestic players Sanju Samson and Rishab Pant remained not out at 34 and 39 respectively in a solid fourth-wicket partnership to take Delhi Daredevils home with 11 balls to spare against the table toppers. 

Zaheer has led the Daredevils really well, marshalling his resources and leading from the front with some impressive bowling shows. However, it remains to be seen whether Zaheer takes the field on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians, who chose Visakhapatnam as their ‘home’ venue after the Bombay High Court cancelled IPL matches in drought-hit Maharashtra, have been inconsistent this season and they have never built a winning momentum, having almost alternate win and losses in their campaign so far. 

They cannot slip up now as a loss on Sunday against Delhi Daredevis will put them in an extremely difficult situation to make it to the play-offs though there could still be a theoretical chance for them to make the cut.