Capitals 51%. Vipers 49%.
ILT20|5, match 21
Sunday 6 December 2026, 6:30pm GMT+4Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
| Measure | Capitals | Vipers |
|---|---|---|
| XI caps | 2,772T20s between the XI | 2,149T20s between the XI |
| Top-seven average | 26.6T20 batting | 29.3T20 batting |
This is too close to call: Dubai Capitals sit at 51% and Desert Vipers at 49%, a gap small enough to ignore. The Capitals are the stronger side on paper, about 8 runs clear, and the edge is entirely with the bat — their batting rates 15.5 runs above average against the Vipers' 6.5, while the Vipers are the marginally better bowling unit by 1.4 runs. Put simply, the Capitals need their top order to make the difference because their attack gives a little back.
Vriitya Aravind is the weak link in the Vipers' batting, rated 1.4 runs worse than an average player, and his last 10 T20 matches brought 195 runs at a strike rate of 101.6, with that window running from October 2023 to December 2025. Against a Capitals attack led by Mustafizur Rahman (4.7 runs better than average) and Haider Ali (4.3), the Vipers' lower middle order looks the place where a par total could slip away.
449 runs, SR 139, 11 sixes in the last 10. Rated +4.8 runs a game with the bat.
Rated 4.8 runs better than an average opener. His last 10 T20 matches brought 449 runs at a strike rate of 139.4, and he has 480 runs in 15 innings at this ground.
233 runs, SR 117, 9 sixes in the last 10. Rated +3.6 runs a game with the bat.
Rated 3.6 runs better than an average opener, with 233 runs in his last 10 T20 matches and 252 runs in nine innings at this ground.
13 wkts, econ 8.36 in the last 10. Rated +4.7 runs a game with the ball.
Rated 4.7 runs better than an average bowler over four overs. His last 10 T20 matches brought 13 wickets at an economy of 8.36.
13 wkts, econ 8.27 in the last 10. Rated +4.8 runs a game with the ball.
Rated 4.8 runs better than an average bowler over four overs, the best in either XI. His last 10 T20 matches brought 13 wickets at an economy of 8.27.
13 wkts, econ 5.56 in the last 10. Rated +2.9 runs a game with the ball.
Rated 2.9 runs better than an average bowler and 1.4 better with the bat. His last 10 T20 matches brought 13 wickets at an economy of 5.56 and 132 runs at a strike rate of 220.
195 runs, SR 102, 3 sixes in the last 10. Rated −1.4 runs a game with the bat.
Rated 1.4 runs worse than an average batter. His last 10 T20 matches, the most recent in December 2025, brought 195 runs at a strike rate of 101.6.