IPL 2025: Tilak and bowlers star as MI end DC's winning streak with thrilling 12-run win 

One might have assumed that Mumbai Indians had no chance of pulling off a win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, especially when Delhi Capitals were comfortably placed at 113/1 at the halfway mark in their chase.

But with Karn Sharma (3-36) and Mitchell Santner (2-36) taking five wickets between them and MI’s ground fielding being sharp throughout, the visitors pulled off a thrilling 12-run comeback win. It was just their second win of the season and it ended DC’s impressive winning run.

After Tilak Varma’s 59 – his second half-century of the season – powered MI to a strong 205/5, Karun Nair, playing his first IPL match of the season, lit up the chase with a breathtaking 89. At one point, DC looked well on course for victory, but a collapse after the tenth over – losing five wickets in six overs, including Karun – swung the momentum back in MI’s favour.

Tilak Varma Anchors MI to 205

All MI batters contributed except captain Hardik Pandya, but it was Tilak Varma’s 59 off 33 balls that stood out. He collected 22 of his runs through the mid-wicket region and was supported well by Naman Dhir, who stayed unbeaten on 38. For DC, only Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam managed to keep things in check, while the rest of the bowling unit proved expensive.

Ryan Rickleton got MI off to a solid start with well-timed flicks and drives, including a massive six over mid-wicket. Rohit Sharma found some rhythm too, scooping a six and playing stylish drives as 19 runs came off the third over. However, DC hit back as Rohit fell lbw to Nigam on review.

Rickleton’s promising start ended when a Kuldeep Yadav googly hit his middle stump. Suryakumar Yadav followed up with some trademark flicks and sweeps, but he and Hardik fell in successive overs. Tilak kept the scoreboard ticking with lofted punches, reverse sweeps, and flicks, bringing up his fifty in 26 balls.

With Dhir and Tilak taking on Mohit Sharma and Starc late in the innings – including a missed catch and run-out opportunity – MI crossed the 200-mark, setting a solid total for their bowlers to defend.

Karun Nair’s Dazzling Knock

Chasing 206, DC lost Jake Fraser-McGurk on the first ball as he chipped Deepak Chahar to cover. Karun Nair then took charge, hitting Trent Boult for three stylish boundaries. Even Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t escape the assault, as Karun found gaps with ease to bring up his fifty in just 22 balls.

He continued the onslaught with scoops, sweeps, and clean lofted shots – including a huge six off Karn Sharma and more boundaries off Hardik Pandya. Despite Abishek Porel falling to Karn, Karun kept going with more innovation and placement until Santner turned one past his edge and bowled him for 89.

MI’s Spinners Spark a Turnaround

Sensing the opening, MI brought back Bumrah, who dismissed Axar Patel. After the 13th over, the ball was changed, and MI reaped immediate rewards – Tristan Stubbs holed out to long-on off Karn, and KL Rahul top-edged a sweep to be caught by the same bowler.

With 42 needed off the last four overs, Boult bowled five pinpoint yorkers in the 17th over, conceding just three runs. Santner was targeted by Vipraj Nigam in the 18th, who hit a six and a four, but the left-arm spinner had him stumped next ball to extinguish DC’s hopes.

DC Collapse Caps Off MI’s Comeback

Ashutosh Sharma tried to keep DC alive with two boundaries off Bumrah, but chaos ensued. He, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohit Sharma were all run-out on successive deliveries, sealing a dramatic and morale-boosting win for MI.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Indians 205/5 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 59, Ryan Rickleton 41; Kuldeep Yadav 2-23, Vipraj Nigam 2-41)
Delhi Capitals 193 all out in 19 overs (Karun Nair 89, Abishek Porel 33; Karn Sharma 3-36, Mitchell Santner 2-43)
Result: MI won by 12 runs.

(With IANS inputs)