Mumbai — In the aftermath of the Delhi Capitals’ heavy defeat to the Mumbai Indians in Match 63 of IPL 2025, Delhi’s stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis reflected on his team’s performance and stressed the importance of momentum in the game of cricket.
The Mumbai Indians sealed a 59-run victory and became the final team to secure a playoff berth, joining the Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The hosts were powered by brilliant bowling spells from Mitchell Santner and Jasprit Bumrah, who both claimed three wickets and bundled out Delhi for just 121 runs.
“We Were Good—But Only for 17–18 Overs”
Speaking after the match, Du Plessis acknowledged his side’s sharp start but admitted they lost the edge in the final moments of Mumbai’s innings.
“We were sharp in the field and the bowlers started really well,” he said. “But the pitch wasn’t easy for batting, which probably helped our bowlers a bit. Still, credit to MI—they scored close to 50 runs in the last two overs. That’s the power of momentum in cricket; once a team gains it, things can shift very quickly.”
Sameer Rizvi Shows Promise
Du Plessis also singled out youngster Sameer Rizvi for praise after the batter scored a gritty 39 off 26 balls, including six boundaries and a six.
“Rizvi showed a lot of promise out there. He handled a difficult pitch better than most and kept fighting till the end. That’s the kind of mindset we want to see.”
Missing Key Players Was a Big Blow
Du Plessis admitted that Delhi missed key players, particularly Axar Patel and Mitchell Starc, during the match.
“Axar would have thrived on a surface like this—it suited his bowling style perfectly,” he said. “Unfortunately, he’s been under the weather for a couple of days. Starc too is a quality bowler, but on this kind of pitch, a spinner like Axar is invaluable.”
He also pointed out the impact of Mitchell Santner, who bowled four overs for just 10 runs, saying, “Axar is a very similar kind of bowler with an excellent international record. He would’ve made a real difference.”
A Season of Inconsistencies
Summing up the Capitals’ struggles this season, Du Plessis noted that inconsistency across both departments has cost them dearly.
“Our season has been a mix of brief good spells followed by lapses. Whether it’s our batting or bowling, we’ve lacked the consistency needed to dominate games. Momentum, once lost, is very hard to regain.”
With the league stage now drawing to a close, Delhi finds itself reflecting on missed opportunities and inconsistent form, while Mumbai Indians ride the momentum into the playoffs—a momentum Du Plessis insists should never be taken lightly.
