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The Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a thrilling 12-run victory against the Delhi Capitals (DC), successfully defending a total of 205 in their IPL 2025 encounter. This win snapped DC's impressive four-game winning streak and marked a significant return to form for MI. The match was a rollercoaster, characterized by explosive batting performances and dramatic shifts in momentum. Karun Nair's spectacular 89 off just 40 balls threatened to snatch the victory for DC, but MI's bowlers, particularly in the second half of the innings, demonstrated remarkable composure and skill to wrest control back. Tilak Varma's elegant 59 was the cornerstone of MI's innings, providing the much-needed impetus in the middle overs, while Naman Dhir's late-innings pyrotechnics ensured a formidable total. The game's turning point arrived when MI managed to maintain their composure despite Nair's aggressive onslaught. Their ability to consistently take wickets, interspersed with periods of tight bowling, proved crucial. A strategic decision to change the ball after the 13th over significantly aided their spinners, Karn Sharma and Mitchell Santner, who orchestrated a collapse in the DC batting order. The duo collectively claimed four crucial wickets during this phase, effectively derailing DC's chase. The closing stages were punctuated by three run-outs in the penultimate over, showcasing MI's athleticism and unwavering focus under pressure. The Mumbai Indians' innings unfolded with a blend of aggression and calculated risk. In the powerplay, Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma showcased their intent, accumulating 59 runs while losing only one wicket. Mitchell Starc, the DC's premier bowler, struggled to find his rhythm, conceding 30 runs in his initial two overs. Rickelton displayed his finesse with a series of well-timed flicks and cover drives, while Sharma complemented him with powerful strokes through the offside. However, Mukesh Kumar, bowling a more disciplined line and length, proved to be a tougher proposition for the MI batsmen. Legspinner Vipraj Nigam made an immediate impact, dismissing Rohit Sharma LBW for just two runs. Suryakumar Yadav, batting at number three, signaled his aggressive intentions with a six off his very first ball, adding further impetus to the MI innings.
The middle overs witnessed a slight shift in momentum as Delhi's spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, began to exert more control. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Rickelton, who had looked well-set for a big score, with a deceptive googly. With the pitch offering turn and bounce, DC sensed an opportunity to squeeze MI further. However, Tilak Varma, displaying remarkable composure, responded with a boundary off his first ball, effectively neutralizing the pressure. Varma and Suryakumar forged a valuable partnership of 60 runs off just 33 balls, ensuring that MI maintained a healthy scoring rate. While Suryakumar initially struggled to find his rhythm, he gradually accelerated, reaching the forties with a six and a four off Nigam. Just as he was looking dangerous, Kuldeep Yadav struck again, dismissing him caught at long-off. Nigam continued DC's resurgence by dismissing Hardik Pandya in a similar fashion in the following over. Despite the loss of wickets, Tilak Varma remained steadfast, anchoring the MI innings with his elegant strokeplay. The death overs saw Naman Dhir provide the finishing touches, propelling MI past the 200-run mark. Kuldeep Yadav concluded his spell with exceptional figures of 4-0-23-2, starting the last five overs with a tight one, conceding just eight runs. Tilak Varma reached his fifty off just 26 balls, setting the stage for a late onslaught. However, it was Naman Dhir who emerged as the aggressor, unleashing a flurry of boundaries to accelerate the scoring rate. His 17-ball 38, studded with innovative lap shots, proved to be the decisive factor in MI reaching a competitive total. The Delhi Capitals' chase began in dramatic fashion with Karun Nair, playing as an Impact Sub in place of the injured Faf du Plessis, walking in to bat after the very first ball. Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed cheaply, chipping a delivery from Deepak Chahar straight to cover. Nair had to negotiate a challenging inswinging yorker from Chahar first-up.
Displaying remarkable resilience, Nair not only survived but launched a stunning counter-attack against Mumbai's premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. He reached his fifty off just 22 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. A staggering 26 of his first 50 runs came off Bumrah, whom he attacked with impunity on both sides of the pitch. He began his innings with three consecutive fours off Trent Boult, but his assault on Bumrah turned the PowerPlay on its head, leaving MI scrambling for answers. Abhishek Porel provided solid support, playing second fiddle to Nair's breathtaking onslaught. Together, they forged a 119-run partnership for the second wicket, seemingly turning the game decisively in DC's favor. They had chased down half the target in half the overs, with plenty of wickets still in hand. However, Karn Sharma, MI's Impact Sub, intervened, dismissing Porel caught in the deep. Nair continued his assault, hitting Karn for back-to-back boundaries and taking on Mitchell Santner in the following over. Against the run of play, Santner managed to deceive Nair with a turning delivery that eluded his bat, bringing an end to his sensational 40-ball 89. Axar Patel got going with a couple of boundaries but he gave a leading edge off Bumrah to give MI their third wicket. Sharma got Stubbs to get a top-edge. Despite the clump of wickets, DC were still in the chase needing 47 from the last five overs with the in-form KL Rahul still in the middle.
The death overs witnessed a dramatic turnaround as MI's bowlers tightened the screws. Karn Sharma had a memorable outing, finishing with figures of 4-0-36-3, with the prized wicket of Rahul in the 16th over. Rahul top-edged a slog-sweep offering a simple return catch to Karn, who had now turned the game back on its head, leaving a tight chase for DC's finishers against MI's experienced attack. Trent Boult followed this up with six impeccable yorkers in the 17th over, conceding only three runs, leaving DC needing 39 off 18 balls. DC managed 16 off the next over, with Vipraj Nigam striking Santner for a six off the first ball. But the spinner hit back, getting the batter stumped to keep DC in check. The penultimate over, bowled by Bumrah, began on a positive note for DC, with Ashutosh Sharma squeezing two boundaries. However, in a desperate attempt to retain the strike, Ashutosh was run out attempting a second run. A similar desperation for a second run led to Kuldeep Yadav being run out off the very next ball. MI capped off their comeback with a stunning pick-up and throw from Santner from mid-wicket off the final ball, resulting in three run-outs in as many balls and securing a come-from-behind victory. Mumbai Indians will now have a three-day break before hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad. Delhi Capitals will host Rajasthan Royals a day earlier. The victory underscored MI's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while DC were left to rue a missed opportunity after a promising start. The contributions of Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Karn Sharma, and Mitchell Santner were pivotal in securing the win for MI.
Source: MI survive Nair storm, snap DC's winning run in a thriller