Mumbai: Riding on a Suryakumar Yadav masterclass and a clinical bowling performance led by Mitchell Santner and Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians stormed into the IPL 2025 playoffs with a comprehensive 59-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing 181 for victory, Delhi never really got going and were bundled out for 121 in 18.2 overs. The final blow came from Bumrah, whose inch-perfect yorker uprooted Mustafizur Rahman's middle stump to seal the game and MI’s place in the playoffs. It was a fitting end to a ruthless bowling display.
Earlier, Suryakumar's sublime unbeaten 73 off 43 balls and a blistering late cameo by Naman Dhir (24* off 8) powered Mumbai to 180 for 5 after being sent in to bat. MI recovered from early setbacks — Rohit Sharma fell cheaply, and after promising starts from Ryan Rickelton (25) and Will Jacks (21), the innings was anchored by Suryakumar’s class and innovation. His knock was studded with 7 fours and 4 sixes, highlighted by a lofted six over extra cover to bring up his fifty.
Dhir provided the late fireworks in the 19th over, slapping Mukesh Kumar over extra cover and launching a towering six over midwicket, pushing MI to a defendable total.
In reply, Delhi's innings never gained traction. They lost wickets in a heap, with both openers KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis dismissed inside three overs — Rahul caught behind off Trent Boult for 11 and du Plessis mistiming a lofted shot off Deepak Chahar for 6. Abishek Porel was bamboozled by Will Jacks' drift and turn, stumped for 6.
Vipraj Nigam (20 off 11) briefly lifted hopes with a flurry of boundaries, including a six over cover and a deft third-man touch, but was undone by Santner’s variations, caught and bowled attempting a backfoot punch. Santner, who bowled beautifully throughout, also dismissed Sameer Rizvi (39), Ashutosh Sharma (18) and stifled DC’s middle order with remarkable control.
Rizvi’s dismissal marked the beginning of the end — a tossed-up delivery that dipped and turned, bowling him through the sweep shot. Ashutosh was next, lured out by flight and stumped. Madhav Tiwari and Kuldeep Yadav followed quickly, both bowled — one by a Jasprit Bumrah special that dipped sharply, and the other caught trying to hit Karn Sharma out of trouble.
Tristan Stubbs fell lbw to Bumrah, wasting a review, and with wickets tumbling regularly, the result was inevitable.
Boult (4-0-29-1), Santner (4-0-11-3), and Bumrah (3.2-0-12-3) were exceptional, while Karn Sharma chipped in with one wicket. The fielding was equally sharp, with substitute Raj Bawa taking a fine catch at long-on.
For Delhi, the loss ended their playoff hopes. Only Sameer Rizvi showed resistance, but lacked support from the rest of the batting order. Mukesh Kumar (2/48) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/22) were the only bowlers who made some impact.
Mumbai Indians’ emphatic victory not only propelled them into the final four but sent a strong warning to their rivals. With form and momentum on their side, the five-time champions appear to have peaked at the right time.
Brief scores:
MI 180/5 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 73*, Naman Dhir 24*; Mukesh Kumar 2/48, Kuldeep Yadav 1/22)
DC 121 all out in 18.2 overs (Sameer Rizvi 39; Santner 3/11, Bumrah 3/12)
