Mumbai Indians Set High Target Against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians' Strong Performance

New Delhi [India] April 13: A stellar performance from Tilak Varma, along with significant contributions from Surya Kumar Yadav and Naman Dhir, propelled the Mumbai Indians (MI) to a formidable total of 205 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs against the Delhi Capitals (DC).

In the ongoing IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals' captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first against the Mumbai Indians.

MI's innings began with openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, who aggressively countered the DC bowlers, reaching 45 runs without loss in just four overs, with Rickelton scoring 27 off 15 balls and Sharma contributing 17 off 9 balls. However, Vipraj Nigam dismissed Rohit Sharma in the fifth over for 18 runs, continuing his struggle in this IPL season, leading to Surya Kumar Yadav joining Rickelton at the crease.

Surya Kumar Yadav made an explosive start, hitting a six off his first ball. Unfortunately, veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Rickelton in the eighth over for 41 runs, which included five fours and two sixes. Tilak Varma then partnered with Surya.

Both batters played cautiously, rotating the strike effectively during the middle overs, allowing MI to maintain a steady pace. They targeted Mohit Sharma in his first over, scoring 14 runs, followed by another six from Surya in the next over. The duo added 50 runs in just 29 balls, with Surya being the more aggressive of the two. They scored 17 runs off Vipraj's third over, despite a dropped catch of Tilak Varma by Tristan Stubbs.

In the 14th over, Kuldeep Yadav showcased his skill by dismissing Surya Kumar Yadav for 40 runs off 28 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. MI's captain Hardik Pandya then came to the crease to join Tilak.

Vipraj Nigam struck again, taking the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya for just 2 runs off 4 balls, as MI struggled to form partnerships throughout the season. Naman Dhir entered the game, and after 15 overs, MI stood at 146 for 4, with Tilak Varma at 38 not out off 19 balls and Dhir at 1 off 2 balls.

Tilak Varma reached his second consecutive fifty in the 17th over, achieving the milestone in 26 balls. DC's Axar Patel displayed excellent fielding by saving a six in the 18th over.

In the 19th over, Varma mis-timed a shot that resulted in a collision between Mukesh Kumar and Ashutosh Sharma at third man. The pair added 50 runs in 28 balls for the fifth wicket. MI gained momentum after the 16th over, scoring 40 runs in three overs. Mukesh Kumar eventually dismissed Tilak Varma in the final over for 59 runs off 33 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.

Naman Dhir contributed a remarkable cameo of 38 runs off just 17 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. On the bowling front, Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) and Vipraj Nigam (2/41) each took two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar (1/38) bowled effectively in the death overs, conceding only 11 runs in the last over and claiming Varma's wicket. The remaining DC bowlers failed to take any wickets.

Brief score: Mumbai Indians 205/5 (Tilak Varma 59, Surya Kumar Yadav 40; Kuldeep Yadav 2/23) vs Delhi Capitals.