IPL 2025: Team’s Disappointment After Allowing 48 Runs in Final Two Overs
After a disappointing season, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have officially exited IPL 2025, struggling despite a promising start. They opened the tournament with five victories in their first six matches but faltered significantly as the season progressed. In a recent match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, the Capitals suffered a staggering 59-run defeat, highlighting their inability to maintain momentum and finish strong.
### Match Overview: Capitals vs. Indians
The match showcased the Delhi Capitals’ potential during the initial stages, as they effectively controlled the game for 18 overs. Their bowlers, particularly spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, restricted the Mumbai Indians to just 47 runs in eight overs. However, the tide turned dramatically in the final two overs when Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir unleashed an aggressive assault, scoring a combined total of 97 runs in those crucial overs. Yadav finished with an impressive 73 not out off 43 balls, while Dhir contributed 24 runs off just eight balls, propelling Mumbai to a formidable total. This late surge ultimately proved decisive, leading to DC’s downfall.
### Coaching Insights: Hemang Badani’s Reflections
Following the defeat, Delhi Capitals’ head coach Hemang Badani expressed disappointment over the performance of his seamers in the last two overs. Mukesh Kumar and Dushmantha Chameera conceded 48 runs in the final overs, a staggering amount that turned the match on its head. Badani remarked on the importance of executing plans, particularly on slower pitches, and admitted that his team’s late-game execution fell short of expectations. He emphasized that while high scores can happen in T20 cricket, allowing 48 runs in 12 balls is unacceptable.
Badani also noted the absence of skipper Axar Patel due to illness, mentioning how his presence could have altered the match’s dynamics. He acknowledged that a left-arm spinner like Patel would have been advantageous on a spinning surface, and his left-handed batting could have countered Mumbai’s bowlers effectively.
### Season Summary: Missed Opportunities
Reflecting on the overall season, Badani lamented missed opportunities that could have secured the team’s path to the playoffs. Despite an explosive start, the Capitals struggled to maintain consistency, often failing to finish games they were in a position to win. He cited instances where the team lost crucial matches, including a 12-run defeat characterized by a dramatic collapse. The lack of a stable opening pair was a significant issue, as DC employed seven different combinations, resulting in the lowest opening partnership average in the tournament.
Badani defended the need for experimentation, stating that a settled opening pair can only emerge from consistent performance. He recognized that while other teams thrived in the powerplay, DC’s openers did not deliver the necessary starts, necessitating changes throughout the season.
### Looking Ahead: Final Game and Future Prospects
As the Delhi Capitals prepare for their concluding match against the Punjab Kings on May 24 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the team aims to restore some pride after a challenging season. With the playoffs now out of reach, the focus will be on finishing strong and addressing the issues that plagued them throughout the campaign. The Capitals will need to reflect on their strategies and player selections as they look ahead to future seasons, hoping to build a more competitive squad for IPL 2026.
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