The first qualifier match of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will be played between the defending champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals on Thursday in Dubai. Meanwhile, former batting coach of the Indian cricket team Sanjay Bangar feels that facing Delhi Capitals will be a tough challenge for the defending champions Mumbai Indians. He believes that the way the team has played under the captaincy of young captain Shreyas Iyer, after that, they can dominate Mumbai.
Delhi Capitals had a convincing 6-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league game. With this win, the team finished second in the points table to qualify for the qualifiers. At the same time, Mumbai had faced a massive 10 wickets loss against SunRisers Hyderabad in their last league match.
“Let me tell you one thing, when it goes to the Playoffs, no matter what has happened in the past, it’s on the day which team plays better cricket,” Bangar said on Star Sports show Game Plan.
Beware Mumbai Indians, it’s Not Going to be Easy: Sanjay Bangar
Bangar further explained why despite having less experience of playing in the playoffs, DC will prove to be a tough competition for Mumbai.
“Delhi Capitals, I agree might not have the experience of playing a lot of Playoff matches, but what they have undergone this season is very critical,” he said.
“Success early on, failures were in the latter half of the tournament, and then a very good match to qualify for and play in the second spot.
” I believe that the kind of combination they have of good, young, experienced Indian batsmen, a battery of overseas fast bowlers and Indian spinners, that is a good mix of experience, pace, youth and then if there’s one team that can challenge Mumbai Indians, it’s Delhi Capitals. So, beware Mumbai Indians, it’s not going to be easy”, the 48-year-old concluded.
The winner of the Qualifier 1 will directly grab a seat in the final on Tuesday, while the loser will get another chance in the Qualifier 2 on Sunday, where they will play the winner of Friday’s Eliminator. Delhi Capitals have never reached an IPL final, while the defending champions Mumbai Indians are eyeing a record fifth title.
