MI returned to the winner’s column at Wankhede Stadium as they took down DC by 59 runs in TATA IPL 2025 Match 63, and more significantly, put an end to the efforts and aspirations of Delhi, as MI made the most of their opportunity and defeated Delhi in a virtual knockout and secured the 4th playoff spot along with the Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings (qualifying directly) into knockout stage.
Through Disaster, MI Find Their Way to Playoffs
At the end of the season and based on the beginning stages of the season and MI pathway to playoffs would have been considered very unrealistic to say the least appreciating just getting one match under their belt and after the first five. The five-time champions were much further away from their glory days, and Delhi on the other hand were where MI wanted to be winning there first four matches and amongst the top half of the table.
When these two teams had engaged previously, the match turned out to be season-defining as MI edged out a close run-home against DC (and coincided with a DCBAB collapse) and since that match the fortunes of the two teams had turned into very different directions, with MI flying high powered with the momentum and DC falling further down the spiral. Eventually, there was only one way to end these odd twists of fate and that was for MI to figure out a performance worth of a Wankhede and if in fact it would end DC, it absolutely could.MI seized total control of the game from start till finish.
Suryakumar Yadav – The Game Changer
MI won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. The pitch had reasonable qualities as it was good, but not great, and there was variable bounce and some grip. Nevertheless, their key player in Suryakumar was not going to falter in the pressure situation, and he would accompany MI throughout the innings as he finished unbeaten on 73 off 47 ball with some audacious strokes and responsible batting.
At certain point in the innings Yadav would get to a point where he would be careful, and needed to see the ball in the 7s and trusted to go to the next level of his performance. While it was great to see Yadav do it in the pressure moments late in Dhir’s innings, Young Dhir was a revelation and his stride in the final phases was littered with strokes of much experience. Dhir flurried for a quick-fire 20 of 4 balls with 2 sixes and 2 boundaries all from penultimate over, and was an appointed flurry that saw them elevate their total tremendously in the final two overs. MI put on a staggering 48 runs in the last two overs that all contributed to their final results total of 180/5.
DC’s Bowling – Control Lost at the Death
Delhi Capitals’ bowlers had a few moments (Kuldeep Yadav, Vipraj Nigam) during the middle overs that made you think they were on their way to providing Delhi with a shot at winning the match by defending the target set by MI. Kuldeep bowled in his crafty manner, varying his pace and troubling MI’s middle order while Nigam did a good job stepping in to replace Axar Patel with his economical overs and control on the ball.
However, all that good work came to naught in the back end of the innings. The death overs were untidy and undisciplined and no yorkers or slow balls were delivered properly. Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed were just to be seen, with MI batting with audacity and confidence as they amassed late order runs; not being able to stop the runs and being let off the hook gave MI a psychologically daunting run to chase.
Delhi Capitals’ Batting Collapse
Chasing down 181 had enough pressure on it without facing a side with Mitchell Santner and Jasprit Bumrah in their bowling line-up. What Delhi required was a positive start or foundation but this will not be remembered because of the collapse of the top order. Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul played recklessly and gave their wickets away completely unnecessarily; Abhishek Porel then followed for an almost identical ball. Delhi went from nowhere (33/3) after just five overs courtesy of disciplined bowling from Boult, Chahar and Will Jacks.
Vipraj Nigam started to play positively and take the responsibility in Axar Patel’s absence (after showing clear intent to) and after a few aggressive strokes, Delhi continued to tumble wickets as they went from unsustainable (66/5) from 10 overs, after the loss of Nigam along with Rishabh Pant not long after was indicative that there would be no recovery from the middle order, which was a disaster.
Santner and Bumrah – The Ice Men
If MI’s batting was about ‘flair’ their bowling was about ‘precision and composure’. Mitchell Santner arguably, the ‘unsung hero’ on most occasions, bowled in whichever fashion and finished with acceptable figures of 3/11 from 4 overs; mid innings his inability to allow runs and a crucial wickets was key to ensuring, Delhi Capitals never found any rhythm.
Bumrah always looked the enforcer with the ball, and bowled with enormous pace, discipline and control, finishing with very respectable figures of 3/12; throughout his years Bumrah has worn the ‘hallmark’ of MI and his yarker’s, slow balls and bouncers proved too much to handle for Delhi Capitals.
Even when Sameer Rizvi (39) and Ashutosh Sharma tried to conjure up a ‘fight back’ in terms of partnerships, MI’s bowlers provided little to no momentum, and once the Rizvi-Ashutosh partnership was dismantled, MI meekly deposited any decent runs in the innings.
The Bigger Picture – Playoffs Set
With this dominant victory, the Mumbai Indians story this season has been written. From the brink of elimination and being consistently at the bottom of the points table, all the way back to securing the last playoff spot. It has been a season that was powered by resilience, individual brilliance and good leadership!
The playoff picture is as follows:
Gujarat Titans – their consistency has been commendable
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – steamrolling with their batting fire-power
Punjab Kings – surprise package, and deserving of the positivity they have brought
Mumbai Indians – something special, they have come back!
For all teams this loss ends with a chance to win the IPL and seek momentum for the next phase! The Mumbai Indians are the 5-time champions, and they will be looking to replicate the glory!
In Conclusion
Match 63 for the TATA IPL 2025 wasn’t just another fixture! It was dramatic, it was entertaining, and it was a display of everything we love about the IPL – the swings of momentum, high-level cricket, unpredictable outcomes, and sometimes, the complete unpredictability of players! While the Delhi Capitals will be reflecting on yet another missed opportunity and how to learn for the future, the Mumbai Indians once again found a way to rise above the rest. They have played games with legacy before, as both an individual franchise and league.
We move to the playoffs, and if this was any sign, it appears that the MI, will have players even stronger that will provide yet another opportunity to find their feet within the tournament.
