Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) began their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 journeys on very different notes. DC were on a winning streak at the start of the 18th season, while MI managed just one win in their first six games. However, the two teams met on April 13, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium — a match that triggered a downfall no DC fan wanted to witness.
Mumbai halted Delhi's high-flying momentum with a 12-run win, and that clash marked a turning point for both sides. While MI began to build winning momentum, DC struggled with inconsistency. Then, on May 21, MI delivered the final blow. Playing at the Wankhede Stadium, they crushed DC's hopes with a dominant 59-run victory, sealing the fourth and final spot in the IPL 2025 Playoffs.
In a first for the IPL, a team has failed to reach the playoffs after starting their season with four consecutive wins — and that unwanted record now belongs to Delhi Capitals (DC). With a playoff spot on the line, Mumbai Indians (MI) delivered a statement win.
After being put in to bat, MI got off to a slow start, but Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings brilliantly with an unbeaten 73 off 43 balls. He was well supported by Naman Dhir, who smashed 24 off just 8 deliveries, helping MI post 180 for 5 in 20 overs.
In response, DC never found their footing. The MI bowlers made full use of the dry, turning pitch — especially spinner Mitchell Santner, who led the charge with a stunning spell. DC’s top three batters fell early to the new ball, and the spinners took control from there. Dew did not come into play, and the surface remained challenging throughout.
There was a brief spark of hope when Sameer Rizvi (39 off 35) and Vipraj Nigam (20 off 11) stitched together a few runs, but it wasn’t enough. Wickets kept falling, with Santner and Jasprit Bumrah picking up three each, and the rest of the bowlers chipping in with one apiece.
As a result, MI secured the fourth and final playoff spot, joining Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS). With the league stage nearing its end, the focus now shifts to the battle for a top-two finish.
Many fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to speak about MI making it to the Playoffs and DC's poor batting. One said, "DC revived MI's form, and now they must clear the path for MI to storm into the playoffs...From those runout to this day".
Another said, "DC's downfall started with the game against MI and they have finally gotten knocked out by MI. DC made a full circle this season".
One wrote, "Bada hi dukh hua DC ki haar aur MI ki jeet se". (Translate:?I felt very sad about DC's loss and MI's win.)
Another said, "I wanted DC to win but MI's victory was destined so much so that even the rain waited for the entire match to end. thunders bursting seems like a warning to the other teams".
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Impact Subs: Karn Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju?
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis(c), Abishek Porel(w), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Madhav Tiwari, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Subs: KL Rahul, Sediqullah Atal, Karun Nair, Tripurana Vijay, Manvanth Kumar L