Saturday afternoon belter in Sharjah

Saturdays first game looks like an absolute belter. It is the battle of the blue as the Mumbai Indians take on the Delhi Capitals at Sharjah. This is a match that could go a long way in deciding what the table looks like when all the teams have played all of their 14 group games.

Back on track

It was a much needed victory for the Mumbai Indians last time out as they crawled over the line in a low scoring affair with the Punjab Kings. They have been far from their usual consistent self since the IPL restarted with two defeats, which led to them slipping out of the top four, but their six wicket win last time out, really does keep them in the hunt for silverware again this year.

Barring an expensive three overs from Trent Boult, all of the bowlers were effective, with two wickets each for Jasprit Bumrah and Kieron Pollard. Pollard bringing up his 300^th career T20 wicket as the Punjab Kings were restricted to just 135/6. In reply, Quinton de Kock (27) got MI off to a steady start, but they fell behind the rate until Pollard and Hardik Pandya met in the middle. The pair put on 45 in less than five overs to get Mumbai over the line, and keep their hopes alive.

It wasn’t a glistening performance, but enough to encourage their fans of more to come.

Shock defeat

Another low scoring affair as the Delhi Capitals fell at the hand of the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday night. Steve Smith opened up the innings with Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of Prithvi Shaw, and he batted in his usual manner, scoring a busy 39. But the Capitals could only muster up a below par 127, which was never going to be enough.

They did take seven wickets in reply, with Avesh Khan walking away with figures of 3-13 from his three overs, but the Capitals will be left ruing their lack of runs after that defeat.

They know that they will need to score more runs, against a better bowling line up on Saturday if they have any chance of taking the two points, and subsequently having one foot in the next stage of the competition.

Match Tip

Two of the classiest teams in world franchise cricket, if I was going to back anyone to win the game, it would be the Mumbai Indians, they ooze class in every department.

This is why I am backing the Mumbai Indians to have the highest opening partnership in the game between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals at 1.75 with Parimatch.

Bet Mumbai Indians to have highest opening partnership on Parimatch