IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals’ Heartbreak as Mumbai Indians Snatch Victory in Final Overs Thriller
In a dramatic clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the Delhi Capitals (DC) suffered a gut-wrenching 59-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 encounter on Wednesday night. What seemed like a well-controlled game for DC for 18 overs turned into a nightmare in the final two, as MI’s explosive batting left the Capitals reeling and effectively ended their playoff hopes.
The match was a microcosm of DC’s season: a promising start followed by a catastrophic collapse. Having begun IPL 2025 with an impressive run, winning five of their first six matches, Delhi faltered in the latter half of the campaign. Wednesday’s loss was the final nail in the coffin, leaving head coach Hemang Badani to dissect yet another missed opportunity in a season of ‘what could have been.’
A Tale of Two Phases: Control to Chaos
For 18 overs, Delhi Capitals dominated proceedings. Their spinners, led by Kuldeep Yadav (1-22 in 4 overs) and Vipraj Nigam (0-25 in 4 overs), throttled Mumbai’s batting line-up, forcing 38 dot balls and keeping the run rate in check. At that stage, MI were struggling, and a modest total seemed inevitable. However, the game flipped on its head in the last 12 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav, with an unbeaten 73 off 43 balls, and young gun Naman Dhir, smashing an unbeaten 24 off just 8 balls, launched a savage assault on DC’s seamers. Mukesh Kumar (conceding 27 runs in the 19th over) and Dushmantha Chameera (leaking 21 runs in the final over) bore the brunt, as MI plundered a staggering 48 runs in the last two overs. This late surge propelled Mumbai to a formidable total, far beyond what Delhi had anticipated.
Reflecting on the collapse, coach Badani didn’t mince words. “The game changed in the last two overs. We were consistent and spot on for 18 overs, but our execution faltered at the end. Conceding 48 runs in 12 balls—that’s 24 runs per over—is not something you’d want any side to get off you,” he lamented at the post-match press conference. He highlighted tactical missteps, suggesting slower cutters or wide yorkers could have stemmed the tide against a seasoned campaigner like Suryakumar.
Missed Opportunities and Absent Stars
Chasing a daunting 219 for victory, Delhi’s batting never got going. Badani rued the absence of captain Axar Patel, sidelined by illness, noting his dual skills as a left-arm spinner and batsman could have been pivotal on a turning Wankhede pitch. “A target of around 160-165 would have been par. Axar’s presence would have made a massive difference against someone like Mitchell Santner,” Badani admitted, while graciously acknowledging that the better side won.
Delhi’s campaign has been plagued by inconsistency. Badani pointed to near-wins that slipped away, such as a 12-run defeat to MI earlier in Delhi, where they collapsed losing 8 wickets for 58 runs, and a match against Kolkata Knight Riders where they needed 69 off 41 balls with seven wickets in hand but failed to close the game. “If you want to make the playoffs, you must finish these games. If you don’t, you’ve only yourself to blame,” he stated candidly.
Opening Woes and a Season to Forget
A glaring issue for DC has been their unstable opening combination. Having tried seven different opening pairs in IPL 2025, their openers averaged a dismal 19.23—the lowest among all teams in the tournament. While other sides built momentum with explosive powerplays, Delhi struggled to find rhythm at the top. Badani defended the chopping and changing, saying, “A settled opening pair is only possible when they give you starts. When that doesn’t happen, you’re forced to make changes to fill the void.”
As Delhi Capitals prepare for their final game against Punjab Kings on May 24 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the focus shifts to salvaging pride. With no playoff hopes left, Badani and his team will look to end a disappointing season on a high note, while reflecting on the lessons learned from a campaign that promised much but delivered little.
In the unforgiving arena of the IPL, where fine margins decide fates, Delhi Capitals learned a harsh lesson at Wankhede: control can slip away in a matter of overs. As they head into the off-season, the blueprint for 2026 must address their inability to close games and build a robust batting core. For now, though, the heartbreak of IPL 2025 will linger long in the memory of DC fans.