Delhi Capitals` early momentum fizzles out in record-breaking collapse

Delhi Capitals suffered a heartbreaking exit from IPL 2025 on Wednesday after their playoff hopes were dashed in a high-stakes clash against Mumbai Indians.

In a dramatic twist, DC etched an unwanted record in the tournament’s history, becoming the first team ever to miss out on a playoff berth after winning their first four matches of the season.

What once looked like a promising campaign has now ended in disappointment, with their early momentum failing to carry them through.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav`s unbeaten 73 and a late blitz by Naman Dhir powered Mumbai into the playoffs with a 59-run hammering of Capitals. In a two-way battle with Delhi for one play-off spot, Mumbai posted 180-5 and then bowled out the opposition for 121 in their home at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai`s New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner returned figures of 3-11 from his four overs. Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah also took three wickets. Five-time champions Mumbai have joined Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings as the top four teams that will battle for the title in the playoffs starting May 29.

Delhi were never in the chase after stand-in-skipper Faf du Plessis fell for six in the second over. Former New Zealand international Trent Boult raised the noise of the home crowd when he got the in-form KL Rahul caught behind for 11 and soon Jacks sent back Abishek Porel for a single figures score. Wickets kept tumbling and Santner took two in one over to flatten the opposition batting, which lasted just 18.2 overs

Delhi still have a match to go but can now only reach 15 points, while Mumbai have 16 points with one more game to play. The final few matches in the group phase will decide the play-off standings as the top two teams will have the advantage of having two shots to reach the final on June 3.

With seven matches remaining in the group stage, this is the earliest the four playoff spots have been decided in the cash-rich league`s history. The earliest the four spots were settled was back in 2011, when they were confirmed by the end of the 67th match in a season that featured 70 league games.

Mumbai joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings in the race for the coveted title. The next group-stage clashes will determine which spot these four sides will occupy in the standings before the playoffs.

(With inputs from agencies)

This article first appeared on Mid Day