IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Suffer Double Blow as Winning Streak Ends and Axar Patel Fined
In a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, the Mumbai Indians clinched a dramatic 12-run victory over the previously unbeaten Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 season, snapping their impressive winning streak. Adding to the woes of the Delhi camp, captain Axar Patel was slapped with a fine for maintaining a slow over-rate during the high-octane clash.
According to an official IPL media release, Patel was penalized under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct for minimum over-rate offenses. As this was Delhi Capitals’ first such violation of the season, the left-arm spinner was fined INR 12 lakhs. This financial penalty compounded the disappointment of a loss that saw Delhi slip from the top of the points table to second place after winning their first four matches.
Chasing a formidable target of 206 runs, Delhi Capitals seemed poised for another victory at 135-2, largely due to a sensational knock by Karun Nair. Making a remarkable comeback after a three-year hiatus from the IPL, Nair, who came in as an Impact Sub at 0/1, smashed 89 runs off just 47 balls. His blistering innings included a fifty in a mere 22 balls—his first in seven years in the tournament—and featured two towering sixes off Jasprit Bumrah in a single over, showcasing his intent and class.
However, the tide turned dramatically when leg-spinner Karn Sharma triggered a collapse. His guile and variations dismantled Delhi’s middle order, leading to their eventual total of 193 all out. The match reached a nail-biting climax in the 19th over, with Delhi needing 23 runs off the last 12 balls. Youngster Ashutosh Sharma kept hopes alive with two audacious boundaries off Bumrah, but a catastrophic sequence of three consecutive run-outs in the final three balls of the over sealed Delhi’s fate, leaving fans and players stunned.
For Mumbai Indians, this victory was a much-needed boost, marking only their second win in six matches this season. Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, the five-time champions displayed resilience and tactical acumen to outplay a strong Delhi side, reviving their campaign in the fiercely competitive tournament.
Delhi Capitals, who had been the team to beat with their dominant start to IPL 2025, will now look to regroup and address their over-rate issues while aiming to reclaim their winning momentum. With the tournament heating up, every match becomes crucial, and Axar Patel’s men will need to bounce back swiftly to maintain their position among the frontrunners.
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis as the IPL 2025 action continues to unfold with unexpected twists and turns!