Delhi Capitals suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 clash against Mumbai Indians, as Axar Patel was ruled out due to illness. His absence comes at a critical moment, with DC fighting for a playoff spot. Faf du Plessis has stepped in as captain, leading the team in this high-stakes encounter.
The Axar Patel Setback
Axar Patel has been the backbone of the Delhi Capitals—providing balance with both bat and ball. His ability to turn matches around with his spin and clever lower-order hitting makes him virtually irreplaceable. But flu doesn’t discriminate, and Axar fell victim to it just days before the game. According to team officials and captain Faf du Plessis, Axar was “really sick in the last two days,” and thus unavailable for selection.
With Axar out, the captain’s armband landed on the experienced shoulders of Faf du Plessis. The former South African skipper is no stranger to high-pressure situations and brings calm, calculated leadership to the team. At the toss, he expressed the team’s disappointment.
Du Plessis said at the toss, “It’s very unfortunate for us. Axar Patel has been sick for the past two days. We will miss him tonight. Axar is not there; Axar is like two players, and it’s difficult to replace him. We’ll see how it goes.”
Delhi Capitals’ Toss Decision
Winning the toss at the Wankhede, Faf decided to bowl first—a decision rooted in the pitch’s dry nature and the team’s recent form. “We haven’t been at our best in the last 5-6 games. But every day is a new opportunity,” he said. Chasing seemed the more comfortable option given the uncertainties in DC’s batting lineup and the possible dew factor.
While Madhav Tiwari technically made his “debut” against Punjab Kings, that match was abandoned due to cross-border tensions. This match, therefore, marks his official IPL debut. The youngster has shown promise in the domestic circuit, and Delhi will be hoping he can absorb the pressure and deliver.
KL Rahul’s Role & Exclusion
KL Rahul, listed as an Impact Player, was expected to play a key role in Axar Patel’s absence but was surprisingly left out of the playing XI. While the exact reason remains unclear, reports suggest he suffered a knee injury during training, leading to his omission. Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar replaced T Natarajan in Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. Known for his swing and ability to handle pressure, his inclusion could be crucial if he finds his rhythm early on.
Delhi’s campaign has been inconsistent, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. A loss today would slam the playoff door shut. They need to win this game and the next to even hope for qualification.
Mumbai Indians’ Strategy
Hardik Pandya, MI’s captain, admitted he would’ve liked to bowl first too, noting the pitch had been under covers. “Every game is important from now onwards. We want to play our best cricket,” he said.
With just one win needed to book a playoff berth, Mumbai had a slightly relaxed yet focused mindset. Mumbai, on the other hand, made one change to their playing XI. Mitchell Santner has replaced Corbin Bosch.
Playing XIs:
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Impact substitutes: Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Karn Sharma, Raj Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju.
Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis (capt), Abishek Porel (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Tristan Stubbs, Dushmantha Chameera, Vipraj Nigam, Madhav Tiwari, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact substitutes: KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Sediqullah Atal, Tripurana Vijay, Manvanth Kumar.
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