Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani candidly acknowledged that missed yorkers by his bowlers and the absence of their regular skipper Axar Patel were key factors behind their 59-run loss to Mumbai Indians on May 21, a defeat that officially ended DC’s chances in the IPL 2025 playoffs race.
Speaking at the post-match press conference at Wankhede Stadium, Badani expressed disappointment in how the team’s experienced pacers, Mustafizur Rahman and Dushmantha Chameera, failed to execute their plans in a critical must-win match. “The game changed in the last two overs that we bowled. The 18 overs that were bowled by us were consistent and spot on. Our execution wasn’t to our expectation in the end and we ended up giving away 48 in 12 balls,” he said.
Badani pointed out the missed tactical opportunities: “We should have read the game better and understood that the surface was slower, could have gone to the cutters, could have also gone to bowl wide yorkers. You would expect bowlers of international level to come and nail the yorkers and if you don’t do that, players like Suryakumar Yadav who have been around long enough will punish you.”
The absence of Mitchell Starc, Delhi’s leading wicket-taker this season with 14 wickets in 11 matches, was a major blow. Starc’s decision not to return to India after the IPL’s mid-season break left a gap that Mustafizur Rahman and Dushmantha Chameera struggled to fill. Mustafizur, a late replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, had modest figures of 1 for 30, while Chameera endured a tough outing, conceding 54 runs without a wicket.
Indian pacer Mukesh Kumar also struggled, leaking 48 runs despite taking two wickets. The death overs exposed Delhi’s bowling frailties, with Mumbai scoring 48 runs in the final two overs. Mukesh was hammered for 27 runs in the 19th over, followed by Chameera giving away 21 in the last over. This late surge helped Suryakumar Yadav finish unbeaten on 73 off 43 balls, while Naman Dhir’s quickfire 24 off 8 deliveries propelled Mumbai to a commanding total.
Badani further emphasized that Axar Patel’s absence was keenly felt on a Wankhede pitch that showed early signs of turn. “Someone like Axar Patel would have made a massive difference to us. A left-arm spinner on this surface would have been very helpful. Moreover, his left-hand batting would have countered (Mitchell) Santner,” he said, adding, “But as I said, the better side won and I wish them well.”
Chasing 181, Delhi’s batting faltered again, being bowled out for 121 in 18.2 overs. It marked a bitter end for a team that had started IPL 2025 with four straight wins. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, secured the final playoff spot and look poised as they head into the knockouts.
