Axar Patel’s Witty Quip Steals the Show After Delhi Capitals’ Dramatic Loss to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025
In a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday night, Mumbai Indians clinched a stunning victory over Delhi Capitals, handing DC their first defeat of the IPL 2025 season. Chasing a daunting target of 206 runs, Delhi’s hopes were dashed in the final overs due to a catastrophic batting collapse, including three run-outs in the penultimate over, sealing their fate in a match that had seemed within their grasp.
The game started on a promising note for Delhi Capitals, with opener Karun Nair, making his debut in the playing XI this season, delivering a breathtaking performance. Nair smashed 89 runs off just 40 balls, forming a formidable 119-run partnership with young gun Abishek Porel, who contributed a steady 33. Their aggressive batting had DC cruising towards the target, with fans on the edge of their seats.
However, the tide turned dramatically when Mumbai Indians’ spinner Karn Sharma struck gold, dismantling Delhi’s middle order with precision. Sharma dismissed Porel, followed by KL Rahul (15) and Tristan Stubbs (1) in quick succession, triggering a collapse that DC could not recover from. The run-outs in the 19th over added insult to injury, as Delhi fell short of the target by a significant margin.
In the post-match presentation, DC captain Axar Patel was asked by commentator Murali Karthik where the game had slipped away. Axar, known for his calm demeanor, responded with a cheeky quip that left everyone in splits: “Mumbai ke paas (went towards Mumbai).” His humor, despite the loss, showcased his ability to keep spirits high even in defeat.
Reflecting on the match, Axar admitted to critical errors in the middle order, stating, “We had the game in the bag. Some soft dismissals and bad shots in the middle order cost us. You can’t leave it to the lower-order batters every time. It’s just one of those days; no need to overthink.” He also pointed out lapses in fielding that allowed Mumbai to post a challenging total, saying, “Maybe if we had caught better, we’d have kept them to a lower score.”
Despite the setback, Axar remained optimistic about his team’s prospects, particularly praising his spin bowling unit. He lauded Kuldeep Yadav for his exceptional form this season, noting, “Kuldeep is bowling unbelievably. Whenever I need a wicket, I can go to him.” Axar also expressed confidence in his spinners, adding, “I get confidence in bowling all three of our spinners, and two of them can bowl in the powerplay. There were a lot of positives today—we just need to forget about this game and move on.”
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, capitalized on Delhi’s mistakes, with their bowlers and fielders stepping up at crucial moments. Their total of 205/5 was powered by a blistering knock from Ishan Kishan (62 off 38) and a late flourish by Hardik Pandya (40* off 22), setting a target that proved just out of reach for DC.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, this match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. For Delhi Capitals, it’s back to the drawing board, but with Axar Patel’s leadership and Kuldeep Yadav’s form, they remain a formidable force. For now, fans will remember this game not just for the drama on the field, but for Axar’s witty one-liner that stole the post-match show.