Unlike matches in other editions, Delhi Daredevils are no more a threat to any team. Even Mumbai Indians has thumped them at Wankhede on a flat track. With 6 games already lost, DD is searching for the elusive win as their strong team is low on performance. Both have registered the two biggest losses by run of this tournament. Yet, MI appears promising with 3 wins. The two they lost was more due to inability to cope up against good bowling attack. As a result, a pace-friendly track in Kotla would be DDs best chance to open their account in IPL 2013.
History
MI has edged past DD with their win at Wankhede. Now MI has won 6 against DDs 5 win in their matches. Both are the heavyweights of IPL, and both are yet to win the IPL, although MI has a better record with more wins, DD is better in terms of less number of losses. Except 2008 where they won a game each, in the remaining four editions one of them have won both matches.
Head-to-Head: MI 5, DD 3
2008
- MI def DD by 29 Runs
DD def MI by 5 Wickets
2009
- DD def MI by 7 Wickets
DD def MI by 4 Wickets
2010
- MI def DD by 98 Runs
MI def DD by 39 Runs
2011
- MI def DD by 8 wkts
MI def DD by 32 runs
2012
- DD won by 7 wkts
DD won by 37 runs
2013
- MI def DD by 44 runs
2008 Performance
DD reached the semifinal. They Won 7, Lost 7 and one match was abandoned.
In 2008, MI won 7 and lost 7.
2009 Performance
DD again reached the semifinal with a better record of 9 wins and 7 losses.
In 2009, MI won 5 and lost 8, with one match abandoned.
2010 Performance
Despite having 7 wins and 7 losses, DD could not reach 3rd consecutive semifinal.
MI was successful winning 11 and losing only 4.
2011 Performance
DD finished at the bottom. won 4 and 9.
MI finished third, winning 10 and losing 6.
2012 Performance
Both reached the knockout and DD finished 4th.
2013 Performance
MI has won 3 of their 5 matches played, losing 2, while DD has lost all the 6 games they played this season.
MI 2013 Matches and Results
DD 2013 Matches and Results
Overall Performance
DD, having reached semifinal in first two editions and 2012 have Won 39, Lost 33 and had two no results, one each against KKR (2008) and Pune Warriors (2011).
Mumbai Indians have the best team record, after CSK with 46 Wins, 35 Losses, 1 NR against Rajasthan Royals in 2009.
Key Players
DD: Sehwag, Warner, Mahela, Irfan, Morne Morkel
MI: Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Pollard, Harbhajan
Verdict
The current performance of DD has failed to show any positives and they are the the underdogs of the current season, even below Warriors now. MI on the other hand is a strong contended for the championship this season with a more balanced side and specially with the middle order firing continuously.
Mumbai Indians have good pacers in Johnson and Malinga and IPLs dominating spinners in Ojha and Harbhajan. If DD top three of Warner, Sehwag and Mahela can play the first 6 overs the remaining team is good players of spinners, considering the Indian contingent. As a team they have shown glimpses of having the ability to score runs, and on their home track with a better captaincy they should be able to fire.
They just need Sehwag and Warner to give a good start. MI wants those two wickets badly at the earliest to inflict another humiliation on DD. If they cannot, everyone knows the effect. With Sehwag getting good starts, he may not throw away his wicket as dollies now considering he would love the pace of Malinga and Johnson to score freely.
DD has the bowling attack to knock down MI. Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, Nehra, Irfan Pathan and Nadeem may celebrate it as their day. The last 6 matches would have sent the confidence flying out of the window. But being the Daredevils they would be able to unite and perform now.
Just by MIs performances it is easy to pronounce them as winner. But, Sehwag and Co are waiting today to open their account, and they may not fail today.
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