The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season continues to deliver high-octane drama, and Match 29 between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium promises fireworks. With DC riding a four-match winning streak and MI desperate to salvage their campaign, this clash is more than just a game—it’s a battle of momentum versus redemption. Let’s break down the predicted lineups, impact substitutes, squad depth, and tactical insights for this blockbuster encounter.
DC vs MI: The Stakes
Delhi Capitals have emerged as the team to beat this season. Led by Axar Patel, they’ve dominated opponents with a mix of explosive batting and disciplined bowling, securing four consecutive wins. In contrast, Mumbai Indians, captained by Hardik Pandya, are languishing at the bottom with just one victory in five games. For MI, this match is a do-or-die moment to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, known for its batting-friendly pitches and small boundaries, sets the stage for a run-fest. Historically, teams chasing here have thrived, thanks to Dew aiding the second innings. Let’s dive into how both teams might strategize their lineups to exploit these conditions.
Delhi Capitals: Predicted Playing 11 and Squad Analysis
Current Form: Unbeaten in four matches, DC’s confidence is sky-high. Their recent six-wicket win over RCB showcased their batting depth, with KL Rahul’s unbeaten 93 off 53 balls steering the chase effortlessly.
Probable Playing 11:
Faf du Plessis – The seasoned opener brings stability and aggression.
Jake Fraser-McGurk – A dynamic young batter with a strike rate of 180+ this season.
KL Rahul (WK) – In sublime form, averaging 79 in head-to-head clashes against MI.
Tristan Stubbs – A finisher capable of accelerating in the death overs.
Axar Patel (C) – Leading with all-round brilliance (economy: 6.8, 120+ strike rate).
Ashutosh Sharma – A power-hitter who smashed 66 off 25 balls against LSG.
Vipraj Nigam – A promising domestic pace all-rounder.
Mitchell Starc – The left-arm speedster with 9 wickets in four matches.
Kuldeep Yadav – Crafty wrist-spin to dismantle MI’s middle order.
Mukesh Kumar – Death-over specialist with a knack for yorkers.
Mohit Sharma – Experienced campaigner with 134 IPL wickets.
Impact Substitute: Abishek Porel (WK/Batter) – A tactical swap to bolster batting if DC chases.
Full Squad:
Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Donovan Ferreira, and others.
Mumbai Indians: Predicted Playing 11 and Squad Analysis
Current Form: MI’s campaign has been marred by inconsistent performances. Their batting lineup, barring Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, has misfired, while the bowling attack struggles to contain runs.
Probable Playing 11:
Rohit Sharma – Likely promoted as an Impact Sub for his experience in high-pressure games.
Ryan Rickelton (WK) – A reliable keeper-batter with quick starts.
Suryakumar Yadav – MI’s X-factor, averaging 45 this season.
Tilak Varma – Fresh off a 56-run blitz against RCB.
Hardik Pandya (C) – Must deliver with both bat (81 runs) and ball (10 wickets).
Naman Dhir – A finisher with a strike rate of 160+.
Mitchell Santner – Left-arm spin to counter DC’s right-heavy lineup.
Deepak Chahar – Swing specialist crucial in powerplays.
Trent Boult – 15 wickets against DC in 11 matches; a proven threat.
Jasprit Bumrah – MI’s pace spearhead (economy: 7.2).
Vignesh Puthur – Emerging leg-spinner with a knack for breakthroughs.
Impact Substitute: Vignesh Puthur (Spinner) – Strategic inclusion if MI bowls second.
Full Squad:
Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, and others.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Axar Patel vs Rohit Sharma: Axar has dismissed Rohit three times in 10 innings, conceding just 63 runs.
Trent Boult vs Faf du Plessis: Boult’s swing against Faf’s aggressive starts could decide the powerplay.
KL Rahul vs Jasprit Bumrah: Rahul’s strike rate of 150 against Bumrah in T20s makes this a thrilling duel.
Venue Insights: Arun Jaitley Stadium
Pitch Report: Flat track with an average first-innings score of 190. Dew favors chasing teams.
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