IPL match preview: Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians

Delhi and Mumbai have collectively lost five out of five matches this IPL season. Poor form of available players, unavailability of key personnel and other factors have contributed to this. Barring a tie, one team will finally register their first win this time.

Among Delhi's primary concerns are the pace at which David Warner is scoring his runs. He has landed two half-centuries this season, but in general his innings have come at a strike-rate of under 120. And his opening partner, Pritvhi Shaw, is relatively out of form.

Mumbai, meanwhile, are effectively developing an overdependence on England fast bowler Jofra Archer in the absence of the injured Jasprit Bumrah. With the bat, well, captain Rohit Sharma said it best: "The senior guys need to step up, starting with me."

The Capitals will be without Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for this match. He has headed home to get married. The participation of seamer Khaleel Ahmed remains in doubt, as he is nursing a minor injury.

The Capitals have beaten Mumbai three times in their last five meetings. Those three came consecutively across the 2021 and 2022 IPLs.

South African batsman Rilee Rossouw is a big asset for Delhi, especially if Warner doesn't fire at the top of the order - or proves too slow in doing so. The wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav will also be key for the Capitals on a pitch that generally proves conducive to slow bowling.

It's probable Sandeep Warrier will play ahead of Arshad Khan for Mumbai. Khan has been expensive and will likely be benched. Warrier could bring a fresh dynamic to a stale bowling attack. Batting-wise, Suryakumar Yadav must start delivering - and soon.

Delhi are under the pump and look set for four defeats in as many matches here. Mumbai are battling injury concerns among their bowlers, but their batting resources are hugely talented and bound to fire soon enough.