Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals will be meeting for the fourth time in this edition of the tournament. In all their three previous meetings, Mumbai Indians have been comprehensive winners. It remains to be seen if Delhi Capitals can turn the tables in the title decider.

Here’s a look at their comparative strengths and weaknesses:

Batting prowess

Mumbai Indians: Batting has been the hallmark of their success mantra this season. Rohit Sharma may not have fired at the top (264 runs in 11 matches at a below-par average of 24), but Quinton de Kock has ensured that it didn’t come in the way of providing the momentum in the Powerplay overs. He has found good support from Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. No wonder the trio figure in the top-10 run getters’ list. Both Surya and Ishan’s batting has been an eye-opener. They have gone about their task of accumulating the runs irrespective of what’s happening around — be it the fall of regular wickets at the other end or incisive bowling.

With such firepower at the top, it becomes easy for the middle-order to throw their bat around in the death overs. The likes of Kieron Pollard and the Pandya brothers have gone about their task in unbridled fashion, which has enhanced their totals. Pollard has displayed supreme authority when it comes to big-hitting tactics and no target has seemed unachievable when he has been at the crease.

Delhi Capitals: The franchise’s woes has largely stemmed from the batting inadequacies. Prithvi Shaw has not been among runs, forcing the team management to promote Marcus Stoinis to open the innings in Qualifier 2 against Sunrisers on Sunday. The move clicked as Stoinis, along with Shikhar Dhawan, put on 86 runs in an opening stand. Captain Shreyas Iyer has lacked consistency and Rishabh Pant’s inability to convert the starts have hit them hard.

Of late, Ajinkya Rahane has managed to provide some stability. If he can perform that role in the final, Delhi can harbour some hopes against an intimidating Mumbai attack. Shimron Hetmyer being among runs on Sunday should also come as good news to their fans.

Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer File picture

Pace attack

Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult have been the fulcrum of their attack with Nathan Coulter-Nile providing the support. Bumrah has been in scintillating form, either providing vital breakthroughs at the start or stifling the opposition batsmen at the death. In the Qualifier 1 against Delhi, Bumrah almost single-handedly ripped through their innings with four wickets. Operating in tandem, Bumrah and Boult reduced Delhi to 41 for five by the eighth over, from which they never recovered.

Delhi Capitals: Their pace combination of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje has been in supreme form complemented by Stoinis’ accuracy. They, however, haven’t achieved much success against Mumbai in their previous meetings. If they can stick to their strengths and build pressure, Mumbai could find the going tough. Stoinis has grown in stature in this IPL with his willingness to bring up his own game plan and thus will be keen to leave his mark in the final.

Spin bowling

Mumbai Indians: Their attack has revolved round Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar. They haven’t been impressive and this is a weak link that Delhi batsmen would look to capitalise on. Chahar was taken to the cleaners during their previous meeting in two overs though Krunal capitalised on his experience to fare slightly better.

Delhi Capitals: This is an area where they surely enjoy an advantage given the guiles of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. New leg spinner Praveen Dubey too impressed on Sunday. Ashwin will hold the key since he has bowled with precision and guile. For Delhi to stop Mumbai’s marauding batsmen, the spinners have to be in their elements.