Saturday, March 29, 2025
Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2025 journey has ended in heartbreak, marking one of the most dramatic collapses in tournament history. Despite starting the season with four consecutive wins, the franchise failed to secure a spot in the playoffs. Captain Akshar Patel’s early-season confidence now seems like a distant memory.
After a thrilling opening win against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24, Akshar boldly declared, “Get used to this. This is what it will look like under my captaincy.” The Capitals chased down 210 with just one wicket and three balls to spare. With victories in the next three matches, they briefly topped the points table and looked like early favorites for the title.
However, the dream soon turned into a nightmare.
On May 21, Delhi Capitals faced Mumbai Indians at Wankhede in what co-owner Parth Jindal described as a “virtual quarter-final.” The Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first, but Mumbai posted a competitive 180/5. Suryakumar Yadav’s 73-run blitz and Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 24 off just eight balls proved too much for Delhi. Chasing the target, the Capitals crumbled to 121 all out, handing Mumbai a resounding 59-run victory.
With that loss, Delhi became the first team in IPL history to win their opening four games and still miss the playoffs.
Here’s a quick look at Delhi Capitals’ turbulent IPL 2025 season:
Wins: 5
Losses: 7
No Result: 1
Final Position: 5th (missed playoffs)
Key Wins:
Beat Lucknow Super Giants by 1 wicket
Defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 7 wickets
Outplayed CSK by 25 runs
Triumphed over RCB by 6 wickets
Dominated LSG again by 8 wickets
Major Setbacks:
Lost twice to Mumbai Indians
Suffered two defeats against Gujarat Titans, including a 10-wicket humiliation
Fell to RCB and KKR
Tied with SRH in a rain-affected game
Over-reliance on top-order: Consistent collapses in the middle order.
Inconsistent bowling: Despite strong individual performances, DC failed to defend or chase targets in crucial games.
Strategic missteps: Captaincy decisions, including bowling changes and batting orders, drew criticism.
What began with flair and confidence ended in a historic disappointment for Delhi Capitals. Akshar Patel’s ambitious proclamation, “This is what it will look like under my captaincy,” has turned into a stark reminder that consistency and adaptability matter more than momentum in a long tournament like the IPL.
As the team heads into the off-season, tough questions lie ahead for the coaching staff, management, and captain. For fans, it’s yet another year of what-ifs.
