New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) Mumbai Indians posted a formidable 205 for 5 in their 20 overs, riding on blazing innings from Tilak Varma (59 off 33 balls) and Naman Dhir (38* off 17) after early momentum provided by Ryan Rickelton (41) and Suryakumar Yadav (40) against Delhi Capitals in the 29th match of IPL 2025 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday.
Put into bat after Delhi won the toss and opted to bowl first, MI overcame the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma (18), trapped leg-before by the impressive Vipraj Nigam. Rickelton and Suryakumar added 28 brisk runs before Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in quick succession, removing Rickelton (41 off 25) with a clever googly and then getting the big fish Suryakumar caught by Mitchell Starc for 40 (28 balls).
MI looked slightly wobbly at 135/3 in the 14th over, and soon after, Hardik Pandya (2) perished while trying to go big off Vipraj, brilliantly caught by Tristan Stubbs near the long-off boundary.
But what followed was a counter-attacking partnership between Tilak and Dhir that turned the tide. The duo added a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket in quick time, with Tilak anchoring the innings and Dhir unleashing a barrage of boundaries.
Tilak brought up his 50 in style off just 30 balls, swatting Mohit Sharma to the fence and keeping MI's hopes of reaching the 200-mark alive. His strokeplay included six fours and three sixes, including a standout slogsweep off Vipraj and a lofted shot over long-on off Mohit.
The climax of the innings came in the death overs. Dhir turned up the heat, dispatching Mohit for a scoop-six and then punishing Mukesh Kumar with a lap-shot four and a clever sweep that brought up the 200 in the penultimate over. A diving single earlier had also brought up the 50-run stand between him and Tilak.
Tilak’s fine knock ended at 59 when he attempted another powerful sweep but was well caught inches from the boundary by Abishek Porel at deep midwicket in the last over.
Mumbai closed at 205/5, with Dhir unbeaten on 38 off just 17 balls, peppered with three fours and two sixes. Will Jacks remained not out on 1.
Among Delhi's bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) and Vipraj (2/41) were the pick, while Mukesh Kumar claimed the key wicket of Tilak but conceded 38 in his four overs. Axar remained economical but wicketless.
With a target of 206, the onus is now on the DC batting unit to rise to the occasion in what promises to be a high-scoring encounter under lights.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians 205/5 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 59, Rickelton 41, Suryakumar 40; Kuldeep Yadav 2/23, Vipraj Nigam 2/41) vs Delhi Capitals*.
UNI BDN SS