Image: Delhi Capitals chase playoff spot with renewed energy and consistent team performances / © Etemaad
The IPL 2025 has proved to be a game changer for many of the teams in the tournament as they have entered the competition with a new captaincy face, a revamped squad and much more which has helped them to overcome the past few challenges and rise again. One of the names who has been on the list is the Delhi Capitals as they have finally regained their lost form from the previous season and under Axar Patel, players such as Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Karun Nair and others have heavily contributed this time.
Now, on the points table, the team has been placed at the 5th position with 13 points from 11 matches, including 6 wins, 4 losses, and one no result. Their net run rate stands at +0.362, which could play a crucial role as the race to the playoffs intensifies. The recent stretch of matches has been a mixed bag for Delhi Capitals. They have suffered two losses in their last three games, with a no result halting their momentum, making the upcoming fixtures crucial for their qualification chances. With three matches remaining, two wins could be enough to secure a top-four finish, especially if other results go in their favour.
In the IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals started off their journey with their big stars in action as they took the field with a sense of purpose and fresh energy under the leadership of Axar Patel. With a proper squad that featured the likes of Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Khaleel Ahmed, and a few promising youngsters, the Capitals looked determined to make a strong statement this season and so far, they have shown glimpses of just that.
| Date | Match No. | Opponent | Venue | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 24 Mar | 4th Match | Lucknow Super Giants | Visakhapatnam | Won | By 1 wicket (3 balls remaining) |
| Sun, 30 Mar | 10th Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Visakhapatnam | Won | By 7 wickets (24 balls remaining) |
| Sat, 05 Apr | 17th Match | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai | Won | By 25 runs |
| Thu, 10 Apr | 24th Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Won | By 6 wickets (13 balls remaining) |
| Sun, 13 Apr | 29th Match | Mumbai Indians | Delhi | Lost | By 12 runs |
| Wed, 16 Apr | 32nd Match | Rajasthan Royals | Delhi | Tied (Won Super Over) | Match tied |
| Sat, 19 Apr | 35th Match | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | Lost | By 7 wickets (4 balls remaining) |
| Tue, 22 Apr | 40th Match | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | Won | By 8 wickets (13 balls remaining) |
| Sun, 27 Apr | 46th Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi | Lost | By 6 wickets (9 balls remaining) |
| Tue, 29 Apr | 48th Match | Kolkata Knight Riders | Delhi | Lost | By 14 runs |
| Mon, 05 May | 55th Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | No Result | – |
The campaign began on a thrilling note on 24th March in Visakhapatnam, where Delhi edged past Lucknow Super Giants in a last-over cliffhanger. Chasing 210, the Capitals held their nerve and clinched victory by just 1 wicket with 3 balls to spare. That thrilling win laid the foundation for a promising run, which was further solidified when they took on Sunrisers Hyderabad on 30th March at the same venue. Powered by a clinical chase, Delhi hunted down the 164-run target with ease, winning by 7 wickets and with four overs in hand — an emphatic statement of intent.
Their third straight win came against Chennai Super Kings on 5th April, as they defended 183 in Chennai and registered a comfortable 25-run victory. The bowlers executed their plans perfectly, and Delhi looked like a well-oiled machine with three wins in their first three games. Continuing their momentum, they travelled to Bengaluru on 10th April and faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Chasing 164, the Capitals reached the target in just 17.5 overs, winning by 6 wickets with 13 balls remaining. At this point, Delhi had won 4 out of 4 games and were flying high. However, their winning run came to a halt at home against Mumbai Indians on 13th April.
Despite a valiant batting performance, Delhi fell short by 12 runs while chasing 206. This was followed by a thrilling contest against Rajasthan Royals on 16th April. Both teams finished with identical scores of 188, and the match was decided by a Super Over, where Delhi held their nerves and secured the win, making it 5 victories from 6 games. From there, the journey became a bit rocky. On 19th April, Delhi faced Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and despite posting a competitive 203, their bowling attack was outclassed, and GT chased the target with 4 balls and 7 wickets in hand.
Another strong comeback came against LSG on 22nd April in Lucknow, where DC chased 160 comfortably, winning by 8 wickets and again with 13 balls to spare. However, the last leg of their campaign leading up to May has brought back-to-back defeats. On 27th April, they hosted RCB and lost by 6 wickets as their bowling couldn’t defend 162 and this was followed by a home game against KKR on 29th April where, despite a spirited chase, they fell short by 14 runs.
To make matters more uncertain, their latest encounter on 5th May against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad ended without a result due to rain. Delhi had scored 133 for 7 in 20 overs before the weather intervened and washed away any chance of a result and as of now, Delhi Capitals have played 11 matches, winning 6, losing 4, and having 1 match abandoned.
This season, the Delhi Capitals have been performing well thanks to some standout contributions from both their batters and bowlers. KL Rahul has led the batting charts for the team, scoring 381 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 47.62 and a strike rate of 142.16. His highest score of 93* and three half-centuries underline his consistency at the top. Supporting him has been Tristan Stubbs, who has played the finisher’s role brilliantly. Stubbs has scored 259 runs in 10 innings and remained unbeaten in half of them as his average of 51.80 and strike rate of 151.46 show how effective he has been in closing out games.
Abishek Porel has also contributed steadily, scoring 265 runs at a strike rate of 149.71, with one fifty and just one duck in 11 innings. Among the bowlers, Mitchell Starc has picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches with best figures of 5 for 35. Despite his economy rate of 10.23, his ability to take key wickets has made a difference. Kuldeep Yadav has also been consistent, taking 12 wickets at an economy of just 7.12 as youngster Vipraj Nigam has chipped in with 9 wickets, maintaining an economy of 9.48.
With the IPL 2025 resuming now, Delhi Capitals are preparing for their final three league matches, which will decide their playoff fate. The team will first take on Gujarat Titans on May 18 in Delhi. This will be a crucial home game where DC will hope to grab two points and improve their net run rate. Their next fixture is against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 21 and known for its batting-friendly pitch, the Capitals will need to bring their A-game to secure a win.
Finally, they face Punjab Kings in Jaipur on May 24, their last league match, which could be a do-or-die battle for qualification. However, not everything looks smooth for the Capitals. Some of their star players might not return for the rest of the season. Explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who brought great momentum to the team, is unlikely to be available. To fill his spot, the franchise has roped in left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, hoping his experience adds value and additionally, the return of Mitchell Starc also seems uncertain, which could affect their bowling strength.