A rollercoaster clash between Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals stole a few breaths from the spectators at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Mumbai Indians (MI) pull off an upset 12-run win over the Delhi Capitals (DC), bringing an end to their unbeaten run in IPL 2025. Liable on an explosive batting display, crafty spin, an improbable comeback, and a rather weird hat-trick of run-outs, the match is certainly going to go down as one of the most dramatic finishes of the season thus far.
Out of the top order, Karun scored 89 off 40 balls, but the combination of cunning bowling, sharp fielding, and last-over jitters saw DC’s dreams crushed. MI required some inspiration after finishing one in the last five matches, and that came in the form of Tillak Varma’s cool innings of 59, an impactful spell by Karn Sharma, and a clinical last five overs by the team.
The Resurgence Of Karun Nair
The return of Karun Nair to the IPL limelight was nothing short of heroic. Three years after his last game in the league and seven years after his last half-century, the right-hander inflicted a turbulent onslaught on MI’s bowling attack. Coming after a golden duck from Jake Fraser-McGurk, Nair came out and went for broke from the very start, including taking 28 runs off just 9 balls from Bumrah during the powerplay.
Wristy, free-flowing, and defiant: Nair effortlessly whipped Bumrah off his hips, reverse-sweeping spinners, creating room to launch inside-out sixes over cover. His half-century from just 22 balls provided the impetus for DC’s pursuit of 206, and at one point, he almost single-handedly looked as though he would take the home side across the line again. But Mitchell Santner had some other brilliant ideas. Santner fired in a dream delivery that skidded, turned robustly, and crashed into the top of the off stump, ending a match-winning inning before it could get going.
Nair’s dismissal brought in a turn. Just five balls later, on his having run out five deliveries, a leading edge off Bumrah sent Axar Patel to the pavilion, leaving DC down at 145 for 4 at the end of the 13th over.
Game-changing Moments: Ball Change and the Collapse
One of the match-defining moments found its way, courtesy of a new rule in IPL 2025 that allows teams to ask for a new ball after eleven overs of the second innings under dew conditions. MI went for the change once the 14th over began, and it paid off right away.
Tristan Stubbs toe-ended a slog, handing MI the break. Then came Karn Sharma’s brilliance, ripping through DC’s middle order. Sharma was brought on as the Impact Sub and produced a vital three-wicket haul that accounted for KL Rahul, who was deceived in the air and offered a simple return catch. From 145 for 2, DC were reduced to 162 for 6 within no time.
It was enough for Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam, who were veering away from any DC rescue after their earlier wins over LSG, to try and see MI down. The late middle overs bore testimony to MI bowlers’ probing exercise, as a 17th over from Trent Boult cost just three runs, almost entirely comprising pinpoint yorkers.
Then came Santner again, conceding a six and a four to Nigam and floating one slower and wider, enticing him out of the crease for some very simple stumping. That was how it began to unravel for DC- just like that.
The Hat-Trick of Run Outs
Moreover, what came in the penultimate over was nearly unbelievable. 15 off 8 balls. Ashutosh first needed to carve from a yorker to deep point, calling for two. But while turning, he needed to maneuver around Bumrah, which lost him a crucial split second as he was caught just short at the striker’s end.
Then, it was all chaos. Run out for two deliveries by Kuldeep Yadav and Mohit Sharma, in rolled up for non-existent runs because DC were determined to do something about it. It’s a run-out hat-trick, almost unheard of at this level, but it sealed the fate of DC. Bowled out for 193, short of 12 runs in a match they seemingly controlled for most of the chase.
Tilak Varma’s Redemption and MI’s Power Finish
Tilak Varma spent most of the earlier day doing damage control for MI’s competitive total. Two games ago, he was purged off the playing eleven for not being in form, but he made a vigorous comeback; caught back at his last match, he rescued MI with consecutive tons. His 59 of 43 balls were in line for building MI’s 205 for 5 on Sunday.
This was his eighth IPL half-century, but surprisingly enough, the first that came when the team was on the winning side. His innings were particularly important because they followed the quick departure of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the middle overs. In awe, Naman Dhir added some hurting touch, 38 off just 17 balls through a dazzling counterattack. His partnership worth 60 with Tilak came in just 33 balls and ensured that MI capitalized on their start despite a brief falter against DC’s spin.
Missed Opportunity and Highlights of Bowling from DC
DC’s bowlers did threaten with stand control over MI. Their wristpin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, put impressive figures together to the tune of 4 for 64 in eight overs and tightened the screws in the middle overs. However, they could not stop the backside onslaught, which sealed the final cushion for MI.
Mitchell Starc blitzed Rohit Sharma early, as he produced standout performances with an easy drive and a well-coffined scoop, coupled with the few runs that would hardly touch contending edges. Suryakumar and Ryan Rickelton had solid starts but couldn’t consolidate those into larger scores, leaving the onus on the lower middle order to fire up-they did amaze him.
What This Means for Both Teams
The loss will certainly sting Delhi Capitals, as they lie on the upper half of the table by just a small line, tarnishing that perfect start with a missed chance to seal the fifth-in-row win in what could very well be an agonizing playoff race. Mumbai Indians rejuvenated their campaign. Out of the possible six chances for victory, this comeback win will only mark the third movement in their favor. It analyzed how well they have made use of their bench strength, with Karn Sharma making an immediate impact as a sub, and their spinners perfectly adopting the ball changes into dynamics.
Final Thoughts
A game with the fiery bat, spin grip, innovative rules, and a hat trick run out, MI’s never-say-never attitude was exemplified. If IPL 2025 indeed needed a reminder on how unpredictable and wildly thrilling cricket could be, this contest delivered it in spades. Minor hiccup for Delhi here in an otherwise rainy campaign, perhaps the spark that lights the fire of the campaign for Mumbai.
