This one is not, but it’s tempting to see Mumbai Indians versus Delhi Capitals as a shootout for the last playoff berth in IPL 2025. After 12 matches, the five-time champions are on 14 points. The team seeking a first title has 13. MI will qualify if they win today at Wankhede Stadium. Anything else and the two have to wait until their last match. Both end their league campaign against Punjab Kings.
Contrasting paths to climax
The teams could not have taken more contrasting routes to get here. MI lost four and won one of their first five matches. They responded with six wins in a row, until Gujarat Titans halted their bull run in a rain-affected match at Wankhede. That way, the weather forecast for Wednesday is not good for them. But then, this franchise knows how to weather the storm.
A new-look DC under new captain Axar Patel won their first four matches and it was six wins against two losses after eight. Of the next four, they lost three games. One produced no result. They lost momentum at a crucial stage after the rousing start. The hammering in the last game against Rajasthan Royals — where they lost by 10 wickets after making 199 — can dent their morale further.
MI mightier in batting
Batting-wise, MI look more threatening. Suryakumar Yadav is in his elements. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton are going strong and providing brisk starts. Tilak Varma has had a few good outings, while contributions have also come from Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir.
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DC have not fired as well as they did in the first phase of the event. KL Rahul has been the only consistent batter. Tristan Stubbs, Axar and Abishek Porel made runs at times and got out cheaply on others. There are problems with the openers as well, with five players being tried at the top so far.
Bumrah’s presence, Starc’s absence
Jasprit Bumrah gives MI a decisive edge in bowling. After missing four games, he is getting back to his bamboozling best in this format. He has shattered the stumps alarmingly in crunch moments while taking 13 wickets from eight games. His economy rate is 6.68. Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Pandya are all among the wickets. MI have not relied on spin that much.
DC are handicapped in the absence of Mitchell Starc, who has not returned after the short break caused by the tension at the Indo-Pak border. Mustafizur Rahman has been roped in for two games, but the difference between the two is stark. Kuldeep Yadav has been brilliant in a few games. The rest are yet to make a telling difference.
The qualification scenario
If MI beat DC, they are in the playoffs. DC will not be able to catch up with their tally of 16 points irrespective of the last matches of these two teams. If DC win, they live another day. DC will qualify if they clinch their last game. If they lose that one, they can still make it if MI too finish with a defeat.
If there is no result, MI retain their one-point advantage and qualify with a win against PBKS. In case MI lose that game, DC will qualify if they beat PBKS. If net run rate comes into the equation, MI (1.156) are better-placed than DC (0.260).