Delhi Capitals’ path to IPL 2025 playoffs has turned into an uphill task after their latest thrashing by Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Having been comfortably placed at the top of the table with a rich start to the season, Axar Patel’s team now has an arduous task cut out for it to finish in the top four and stay alive in their championship aspirations.
The Gujarat Titans Hammer Blow
In the 60th match of the competition, Gujarat Titans produced a clinical show, defeating Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets. Delhi were sent in to bat and their innings weakened early when they lost Faf du Plessis for a mere 5 runs. KL Rahul, however, held firm and scored an excellent unbeaten century (112) and secured a 90-run stand with Abishek Porel (30). Aided by keen inputs from skipper Axar Patel (25) and Tristan Stubbs (21), Delhi reached a fighting total of 199 for 3.
But the chase of Gujarat Titans was nothing but spectacular. Sai Sudharsan (108*) and Shubman Gill (93) overwhelmed the bowlers of Delhi, both scoring centuries and trivializing the target. Their impeccable partnership guaranteed Gujarat Titans a 10-wicket win, also confirming their playoff spot along with locking in spots for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings.
What Next for Delhi Capitals?
Even after the loss, Delhi Capitals continue to sit in fifth position on the points table with 13 points from 12 games, having achieved six victories. But the margin of error has all but vanished. Delhi will need to win both of their remaining league games to keep their playoff hopes alive, and that will place them on 17 points – a score that has been enough for sides such as RCB and PBKS to qualify.
If Delhi win one of their last two matches, achieving 15 points, their position becomes complicated. They would then rely on Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants losing their next games to stand any hope of finding a way into the playoffs. Defeat in both of their remaining games would be the end of their season.
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The Pivotal Coming Games
Delhi Capitals have a challenging schedule in front of them. They will play Mumbai Indians on May 21 at the Wankhede Stadium, and then there is a last league game on May 24 against Punjab Kings at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Both are do-or-die matches, and the team will have to call on their best under-pressure cricket to move forward.
The Road Ahead
Delhi Capitals’ run this year has been a story of initial promise, mid-season woes, and now the nerve-wracking finale. Although the latest loss has made their journey difficult, the team is still the master of their own fate. With resilience, strategic sense, and the support of their ardent fans, Delhi Capitals can still write an inspiring script of return to the IPL 2025 playoffs.
The coming days will test their mettle like never before – every run, wicket, and catch will carry the weight of a city’s hopes. For Delhi Capitals, the battle is far from over. The IPL’s drama continues, and so does their fight for glory.
Written By Smita singh
