Cricket Scorecard

Right then, Mumbai Indians have the runs on the board and will now be eyeing early breakthroughs in the Powerplay to put Delhi Capitals on the back foot. Interestingly, all four night games played at this venue last year have been won by the side batting first, so history does lean in MI’s favour. That said, the short boundaries and quick outfield will assist DC, and they will be eager to get off to a strong start that can set the tone for a successful chase.

Ryan Rickelton is in for a chat. He says it’s a good score on the board, he feels the ball is sticking into the wicket and it won’t be easy to chase this down.  He feels Tilak and Naman have pushed that score to a very competitive one in the end. He says he’s learning with the pickup shot and was lucky to get the ball in the range. He says hopefully, their bowlers will defend this total. He feels the wicket hopefully won’t change much, and the ball will keep low, and the wicket will g

Tilak Varma was handed a couple of reprieves and made full use of the opportunities that came his way. The first came when he was on 24, as a miscommunication between Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser-McGurk led to a spilled catch. Later, on 54, he survived again when Ashutosh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar collided while attempting to take a high one. Dhir played his part too, ensuring Mumbai Indians got the finish they were looking for.

While most bowlers found it difficult to contain the flow of runs during the middle overs, Kuldeep Yadav emerged as a rare exception for Delhi Capitals, holding his nerve and keeping things tight from his end despite the mounting pressure. Tilak Varma then walked in and, along with Naman Dhir, sustained Mumbai’s momentum with a brisk 62-run partnership.

Good finish to the innings for the Mumbai Indians. 51 runs came off the last 4 overs and they will be pleased to have posted 205 on the board. After being asked to bat first, Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma provided MI with a brisk start, though Rohit's stay at the crease was brief. Rickelton showed promise, as did Suryakumar Yadav, but neither could convert their starts into something substantial.

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, THE BATTERS RUN ALL ! A high full toss, outside off, Naman Dhir heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. The batters take three runs as the fielder has to dive to stop the ball, but then there is a direct hit at the keeper's end. The ball hits the stumps and deflects away, allowing the batters to take the fourth run! MUMBAI INDIANS FINISH ON 205/5, their second highest score this season.

Mukesh Kumar to Will Jacks, Another slower ball, on a length, outside off, Will Jacks heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Will Jacks walks in at number 7, replacing Tilak Varma.

Mukesh Kumar to Tilak Varma, ! CAUGHT! Spectacularly taken by Abishek Porel.

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, Dhir will feel that he missed out there!

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, ! Cheeky! Mukesh goes searching for the blockhole, on the off stump. Dhir is quick to walk inside the line of the ball and takes it on the full. Uses the pace as he paddles it to the right of short fine leg for a boundary.

Starc or Mukesh? Mukesh Kumar it shall be, to bowl the final over. 3-0-27-0 so far.

Mukesh Kumar to Tilak Varma, Pushed across the left-hander from over the wicket, on a length, Tilak gets low and flays at the delivery. Skies it up towards deep third but it falls well wide of the substitute fielder, Karun Nair, to his right. They cross.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, ! Lovely shot. A length ball, outside off, Naman Dhir gets down on a knee and laps it over short fine leg. Goes all the way!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, 2 runs.

Ashutosh is off the ground. Mukesh seems fine and can bowl. Looking at Ashutosh, it seems like he is concussed, because his head collided really heavily on Mukesh Kumar's shoulder.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Run out chance, missed!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Had the throw hit, Dhir was gone!

This does not look good for DC. Both, Ashutosh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are down at the moment. Irrespctive of which side you are supporting, let's hope both players are fine. Ready to resume now.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, 3 runs.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Executes the yorker, near the wide tramline on off, Dhir gets close to the line of the ball and guides it to deep point for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Tilak Varma, ! Neatly done! Wide yorker outside off, Tilak Varma reaches out and carves it over short third for a boundary! 13 from the over, 26 in the last 2!

Mitchell Starc to Tilak Varma, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, TERRIFIC EFFORT FROM AXAR PATEL. Critics will call it a drop catch but optimists will see it as 5 runs saved. A length ball, around off, Naman Dhir lofts it towards long off. Axar is a bit wide at long off and has to race to his right and that ball seems to be heading over the ropes for all money. But at the last moment, Patel leaps and takes the catch. However, the momentum takes him beyond the ropes and he tries to push the ball back in play.

Oh Bapu! What an effort! But has he saved the boundary? The fielding effort is being checked upstairs. Seems okay and that is a top effort!

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, ! Two in two for Naman Dhir! Speared in at the stumps, on the fuller side, Naman stays deep in the crease and brings his wrists into play. Whips it through mid-wicket and beats the diving Jake Fraser-McGurk in the deep to his left for four more.

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, ! Easy pickings!

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, Starc nails the yorker and it is bowled from wide of the crease from around the wicket, Dhir reaches out and tries to use the pace by opening the face of the bat but misses.

Mitchell Starc is back on. 2-0-30-0 so far.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Excellent review from Tilak Varma! Corker of a yorker from Mohit, around leg stump, Tilak plays all around it, looking to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Mohit appeals for LBW and the umpire raises his finger. Tilak takes the review and one can see Rahul mouthing to Mohit that he felt it pitched outside leg.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Slower ball, outside off, on a length, Naman Dhir punches it through the covers for a run, handing the strike back to Tilak.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, BACK-TO-BACK FIFTIES FOR TILAK VARMA! Terrific comeback into the side. Of course, he was dropped on 24, but that is not his problem. He has made full use of the life offered to him. A full toss, outside off, Tilak punches it towards long off for a single to get to his half century.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, ! Short and punished!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Good comeback ball from Mohit. Gets the yorker in, outside off, Dhir squeezes it out in front of extra cover for a single.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, ! Dhir welcomes Mohit with a biggie! Sharma bends his back and digs it in short, around the right shoulder of the batter. Dhir swivels on the back foot nicely and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a six.

One expects that is the end of spin in this innings. Mohit Sharma is back on. 1-0-13-0 so far.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, 2 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Goes for the reverse but Kuldeep slows it up and keeps it wide outside off. Tilak Varma cannot connect with his shot.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Outside off, a swing and a miss.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naman Dhir, Turning into the pads, Dhir tickles it towrads short fine leg off the back foot for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, 1 run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, ! A valiant effort from Starc, but in vain!

STRATEGIC TIME. 87/3 in the middle-overs phase. So MI have maintained their run rate of around 9-10 runs per over. They have attacked every bowler barring Kuldeep Yadav and that shows the class of the man. With others getting carted, he has held his own, with figures of 3-0-15-2. But he has only one over left. The innings has 5 pending. How will the other DC bowlers fare at the death? 210 seems to be on, but the other question now is - how much is enough on this track and small ground?

Vipraj Nigam to Naman Dhir, What a ripper to finish his spell.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, Another quicker googly, 99.1 kph, Tilak Varma stays back and works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, On middle and off, pushed back to the bowler.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, !! SLOT BALL HIT FOR SIX!

Vipraj Nigam to Naman Dhir, Full, around off, Naman Dhir is on the walk and pushes it towards long off for a single to get off the mark.

Who walks in next?

Tilak has been pretty consistent too. Since IPL 2023, he has also emerged as one of the top run-scorers among middle-order batters, scoring 830 runs at an average of 41.5 before this game.

Vipraj Nigam to Hardik Pandya, GONE! VIPRAJ NIGM HAS GOT HIS MAN!

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Full and fired at the leg stump, Tilak mistimes his flick to short fine leg. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Kuldeep Yadav's figures read 3-0-15-2.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, Quicker ball, around middle and off, Hardik Pandya picks it from the stumps and punches it towards sweeper cover for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Short, outside off, Tilak Varma gets across to pull but mistimes it towards short fine leg for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, On middle, pushed down to short mid-wicket.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Skipper Hardik Pandya walks in now at number 5, in his 50th IPL match as captain.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, GONE! KULDEEP HAS GOT THE BIG FISH! Full, on off, enticing the batter to go for the big one. Suryakumar accepts the offer and looks to go over long off, but he doesn't get it off the middle of the bat as he hits it straight to long off, where Starc takes an easy catch.

Kuldeep Yadav returns. 2-0-12-1 so far.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, 2 runs.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, Four!

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Full on middle, Surya drives this one along the ground to long off for a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, ! THIS IS SWEEP HITTING MASTERCLASS FROM SURYAKUMAR YADAV! Short just outside off, Suryakumar Yadav again sits on one leg and sweeps it to the left of deep mid-wicket for four.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SWEEP ONCE MORE FROM SURYAKUMAR YADAV! Shorter on middle, Surya sits down on one leg and sweeps this one over the deep mid-wicket fielder for six.

Into the Orange Cap race, jumps Surya.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Six!

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Full and straight, Suryakumar Yadav exposes all his stumps and hits it down the ground to long on for a run.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Around middle and off, Tilak winds up for a big heave and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Takes the single off the deflection.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Leg bye.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Short ball sliding well down leg, Suryakumar Yadav doesn't bother playing it as he lets it go. Wide given.

We talked about spin playing a pivotal role in the middle phase. Surya has equally dominated both pace and spin in IPL 2025. He strikes at around 153 against pace while he averages a mammoth 98 against spin! Here's bowler number 6. Mohit Sharma.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SUPERB WRIST WORK! Full on off, Suryakumar Yadav whips this one over mid-wicket region for a one bounce four. 

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Length ball seaming into the right hander, on middle stump, Surya works this one straight to short mid-wicket. Dot ball.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, TOP EDGE, !

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Tip and run. Outside off, Suryakumar taps it towards cover point and takes a quick single. 100 UP FOR MUMBAI INDIANS in the 11th over.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Landed outside off, Suryakumar Yadav stays leg side of the ball and eases it towards cover.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Fuller length arm ball, Surya stays stuck in his creas as he looks to push it into the off side. He gets beaten as the ball goes with the angle and hits his back leg. There is a bit of a discussion going on between KL & Axar whether to go for the review. And Axar eventually decides to go for it. Third umpire called in. Pitching in line, impact in line, but wickets missing. DC lose the review. Surya survives!

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav is on sweep hitting spree here! Full sliding down leg, Suryakumar Yadav brings out the sweeping broom again as he sweeps this one over short fine leg for four. There was a bit of a top edge on that one.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, Axar fires in a yorker on middle, Tilak flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Drops it short, around off, SKY cuts well but picks out the man at backward point.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Lovely bowling!

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Pushed through, on a nagging length, on off, Varma gets on the back foot and plays it with a straight bat towards long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, A touch fuller, turning into the left hander, Tilak Varma cautiously defends it back to the bowler. Dot ball.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, A touch shorter in length, chinaman delivery, on middle-leg, Surya flicks this into the leg side towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SWEPT AWAY AGAIN! Full-length just outside off, Surya again takes a big step across and brings out the broom as he sweeps it across the line to the right of diving square leg fielder for four.

FIRST STRATEGIC TIME. Wow. What can a pitch and a ground dimension do to a batting unit. Mumbai Indians were struggling before this match in the batting department, but just like every day is a new day, they have approached this game with fresh air. They have lost both their openers but have also hit 5 sixes in 54 balls - that's a six roughly every 11 balls. If we look at the overall boundary package, it reads 14 boundaries (4s+6s) in 54 balls - so we can get that down to a boundary roughly

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, Slows it down and gets the ball to grip in the surface, on the shorter side, on middle, Varma nudges it towards short fine leg.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Speared in from well wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, full and on middle, SKY gets his bat out in front and drives it towards long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, A bit of grip and turn for Axar, short and on off, Suryakumar Yadav plays it with turn towards cover.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, ! REVERSE-SWEPT! Quicker arm ball on middle, Tilak Varma was quick to switch over and reverse-sweep this over third man region for six.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, A touch Shorter on middle-leg, darting into the right hander, Surya punches it off the back foot to deep extra cover for a single.

Tilak Varma is built with consistency and striking ability, and he has been MI’s weapon in the middle. Since IPL 2023, Tilak has scored 910 runs at an average of 41.4.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, ! Tilak Varma is on his way! Another googly from Kuldeep but the length is a bit too short, on middle, Tilak reads the googly and uses the depth of the crease. Pulls it firmly to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Tilak Varma walks in next at number 4, replacing Ryan Rickelton.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ryan Rickelton, ! CLEANED HIM UP! Kuldeep Yadav strikes in his first over! Ryan Rickelton is outfoxed, and his promising stay has been cut short. Kuldeep dishes out the googly and lands it outside the off stump, on a nagging length, Rickelton hangs on the back foot to deal with it.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Quicker through the air, shorter in length, on off stump, Surya pushes it off the back foot to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up on off, Surya drives this back to the bowler. Dot ball.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run.

The middle overs (7-15) are pretty underrated in T20 cricket.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Keeps it full, on off, Ryan knocks it along the ground to long off for a single. 14 runs off the over.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, ! How has Ryan Rickelton managed to clear the fence here?

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Flat and short, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav reaches out in front and drags the sweep towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, BEAUTY! Slower through the air, leg break, turning away from the right hander, Surya pushes at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Four!

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Full toss sliding down leg, very close to the leg stump, Ryan Rickelton goes for the sweep and misses it. The keeper doesn't collect it well and the ball deflects towards the short fine leg fielder. The batters runs for that misfield. Two wides!

Suryakumar Yadav has been Mumbai Indians’ standout batter in IPL 2025 so far, scoring a bulk of MI's runs so far.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Goes full this time, on off, Suryakumar Yadav cannot get under the ball and drives it along the ground to mid off.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Gets the line right and the length too, on a hard length, on middle, Yadav pats it back to Mukesh.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav is up and running! A bit too straight from Mukesh, on a short of a length, Suryakumar just walks inside the line of the ball and plays the pick-up shot. Parks it into the stands behind deep fine leg for a biggie to get off the mark.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Sliding down leg again, on a back of a length, at 129.1 kph, SKY tries to help it away with the angle but misses. The ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Wide again, full as well, this time Rickelton finds the gap, driving it past cover-point for a single in the deep.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Wide outside off, driven straight to cover point.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! TAKE THAT! Dropped short, outside off, Ryan Rickelton gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with venom through mid-wicket! Moves to 32 (19), with his 5th four.

Suryakumar Yadav walks in at number 3, replacing Rohit Sharma.

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, ! LBW! A big shout for LBW but turned down! This looks straight and the Delhi Capitals have taken the review. Pushed through by Vipraj, on a nagging length, on middle, Rohit gets down on a knee and tries to swipe it away on the leg side. The ball skids through and sneaks under the blade to catch him on the back thigh. The ball does not have much distance to travel and there is no bat involved. The Ball Tracking comes up as three reds with the ball crashing

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, Floated up, on off, Rohit gets his front pad out of the way and drives it sweetly but straight to cover.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Vipraj gets away with it! A half-tracker, on off, Ryan Rickelton presses on the back foot and ends up dragging the pull towards long on for just a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, 1 run.

Matthew Motts is up for a chat now.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! Creamed away!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Hurls it nice and full, attacking the stumps, Ryan Rickelton firmly drives it down the deck. Mukesh stops it with a leap to his right.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Slanting into the right-hander, on a nagging length, Rohit nudges it off the pads towards mid-wicket for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run.

Without a doubt, Rohit is one of the best openers in the IPL and has the third best strike rate among Indian openers in IPL since 2024. (Minimum 450 runs).

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! Up and over! Back-to-back expensive overs from Starc. 19 off this one and 11 off the opening over. A bit too full from the Aussie, angling across the right-hander, Rohit just presses forward and goes inside out over cover for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, Well bowled! Starc takes pace off and drags the length back, outside off, Sharma does not pick the variation and just hangs his bat out in front to defend. Gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! Streaky but they all count!

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! AWESOME! That is classy Rohit.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Heart-in-mouth moment for Rickelton. Starc alters his length and changes his pace but Ryan does not pick it. Goes hard at the length ball and is months early. As a result, he spoons it off the face of his bat towards mid on. Mohit Sharma at mid on dives forward but the ball lands in front of him and goes off his body behind. A single taken.

Slip's gone now. Fine leg is up as well.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! Not a bad length, bowling it short and trying to cramp the batter for room, but the line was incorrect. Down the leg side, Ryan Rickelton tickles it to the right of the keeper to the fine leg fence.

Rohit's approach in the Powerplay has changed a lot. In fact, since IPL 2023, his strike rate in the Powerplays in IPL has been 140.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Serves it full, on off, Rickelton pats it to the left of mid off and keeps the strike with a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! Ryan Rickelton with the first six of the night!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Lands it on a hard length, over off, Rickelton rides the bounce and punches it straight to cover.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, EDGED, SHORT! Mukesh is making the ball talk. Slightly fuller, outside off, Rickelton feels for the ball around his off stump and goes fishing. The ball takes the outside edge but because he played it with soft hands, the outside edge generated lands well short of the diving first slip, to his left.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Ooohh... that nearly got him!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Mukesh Kumar shares the new ball with Starc. Gets a bit of a curve into the left hander, around middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton works it towards mid on for a single.

Rohit Sharma has not got off to the start he would have hoped for in this year's IPL. He has scored just 38 runs in 4 outings. He is getting off to starts but is not able to capitalize. Could tonight be his night?

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Gets the line right now, does Starc, in the channel on off, on the fuller side, Rickelton pushes at the delivery away from his body. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards deep point for a single. 11 runs off the first over.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Wide! Starc looks to fire in a full ball, but this is sprayed down leg, Ryan misses the tickle. Wide given.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! Two in two, but this is even better! Starc keeps it full and gets a hint of away movement in the air, on off, Ryan lets the ball to come to him and just eases the drive to the right of mid off for four more.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! First boundary of the evening! My word, the timing! My word, the outfield! Slightly erratic from the Aussie, on the pads and a bit too full, overpitched, to be precise, Ryan Rickelton just leans into the shot and flicks it to the left of mid on! Gets off the mark in style, on his very first ball!

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller, around middle, hint of away shape, Ryan Rickelton pushes it towards mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, On the money, is Starc and on the board, is Rohit. On a good length, around middle and leg, Rohit Sharma watchfully pats it towards cover-point and takes the single.

The bell is rung to signal the start of the match and out walk the MI openers to the middle - Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma. They pass the DC group which is in a huddle and not sure who spoke or what was spoken, but at the end of it, everyone was smiling with Ashutosh Sharma and skipper Axar Patel literally in splits. Right then. India-Australia time? Or practice for the WTC final? Starc vs Rohit or Starc vs Rickelton? Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hand and it will be Rohit Sharm

A warm welcome to one and all once again. Why this second welcome? Today is a double-header Sunday and the fans would have been following the RR-RCB game earlier in the day. Thanks to Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, the game lovers have been given enough time to take a break post that match and rejoin for the evening clash. For those who tuned in late, Delhi Capitals have elected to chase, going against the past record at this venue. In the last 6 night T20s at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the team ba

So MI are going in with 4 overseas players in their playing XI while DC are going in with 3. Given that they are chasing, it will be interesting to see whom do they use as an impact player. Normally, it is Abishek Porel but given that he is in the playing XI tonight, one could see a Sameer Rizvi or even the big-hitting Donovan Ferreira don that role in the second innings.

The captain of Mumbai Indians, HARDIK PANDYA, is happy to have lost the toss as he says that he won the toss the previous 4 times but the result was not as per MI's desire. On the team conversations coming into the game, Hardik says that they were mostly about the mistakes made and how they can get better as he stresses that there is a lot of experience within the team to understand the situation. Informs that MI are trying not to hit the panic button as by experience, Pandya says that panicki

The skipper of Delhi Capitals, AXAR PATEL, says that Delhi have been chasing well and also because the wicket is a new one, he has decided to bowl first. On the previous history of teams batting first winning here most of the times, Patel puts it down as a past record and stresses that his decision is based on how his current team is functioning and what are its strengths. Admits that there will be a lot of challenges here as due to this being a small ground, there will be a lot of sixes hit. B

Impact nominations by DC - Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair, Darshan Nalkande, Donovan Ferreira and Dushmantha Chameera.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma and Mukesh Kumar.

Impact nominations by MI -  Karn Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa and Robin Minz.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(C), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

Right then, Mumbai Indians have the runs on the board and will now be eyeing early breakthroughs in the Powerplay to put Delhi Capitals on the back foot. Interestingly, all four night games played at this venue last year have been won by the side batting first, so history does lean in MI’s favour. That said, the short boundaries and quick outfield will assist DC, and they will be eager to get off to a strong start that can set the tone for a successful chase.

Ryan Rickelton is in for a chat. He says it’s a good score on the board, he feels the ball is sticking into the wicket and it won’t be easy to chase this down.  He feels Tilak and Naman have pushed that score to a very competitive one in the end. He says he’s learning with the pickup shot and was lucky to get the ball in the range. He says hopefully, their bowlers will defend this total. He feels the wicket hopefully won’t change much, and the ball will keep low, and the wicket will g

Tilak Varma was handed a couple of reprieves and made full use of the opportunities that came his way. The first came when he was on 24, as a miscommunication between Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser-McGurk led to a spilled catch. Later, on 54, he survived again when Ashutosh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar collided while attempting to take a high one. Dhir played his part too, ensuring Mumbai Indians got the finish they were looking for.

While most bowlers found it difficult to contain the flow of runs during the middle overs, Kuldeep Yadav emerged as a rare exception for Delhi Capitals, holding his nerve and keeping things tight from his end despite the mounting pressure. Tilak Varma then walked in and, along with Naman Dhir, sustained Mumbai’s momentum with a brisk 62-run partnership.

Good finish to the innings for the Mumbai Indians. 51 runs came off the last 4 overs and they will be pleased to have posted 205 on the board. After being asked to bat first, Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma provided MI with a brisk start, though Rohit's stay at the crease was brief. Rickelton showed promise, as did Suryakumar Yadav, but neither could convert their starts into something substantial.

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, THE BATTERS RUN ALL ! A high full toss, outside off, Naman Dhir heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. The batters take three runs as the fielder has to dive to stop the ball, but then there is a direct hit at the keeper's end. The ball hits the stumps and deflects away, allowing the batters to take the fourth run! MUMBAI INDIANS FINISH ON 205/5, their second highest score this season.

Mukesh Kumar to Will Jacks, Another slower ball, on a length, outside off, Will Jacks heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Will Jacks walks in at number 7, replacing Tilak Varma.

Mukesh Kumar to Tilak Varma, ! CAUGHT! Spectacularly taken by Abishek Porel.

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, Dhir will feel that he missed out there!

Mukesh Kumar to Naman Dhir, ! Cheeky! Mukesh goes searching for the blockhole, on the off stump. Dhir is quick to walk inside the line of the ball and takes it on the full. Uses the pace as he paddles it to the right of short fine leg for a boundary.

Starc or Mukesh? Mukesh Kumar it shall be, to bowl the final over. 3-0-27-0 so far.

Mukesh Kumar to Tilak Varma, Pushed across the left-hander from over the wicket, on a length, Tilak gets low and flays at the delivery. Skies it up towards deep third but it falls well wide of the substitute fielder, Karun Nair, to his right. They cross.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, ! Lovely shot. A length ball, outside off, Naman Dhir gets down on a knee and laps it over short fine leg. Goes all the way!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, 2 runs.

Ashutosh is off the ground. Mukesh seems fine and can bowl. Looking at Ashutosh, it seems like he is concussed, because his head collided really heavily on Mukesh Kumar's shoulder.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Run out chance, missed!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Had the throw hit, Dhir was gone!

This does not look good for DC. Both, Ashutosh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are down at the moment. Irrespctive of which side you are supporting, let's hope both players are fine. Ready to resume now.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, 3 runs.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Executes the yorker, near the wide tramline on off, Dhir gets close to the line of the ball and guides it to deep point for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Tilak Varma, ! Neatly done! Wide yorker outside off, Tilak Varma reaches out and carves it over short third for a boundary! 13 from the over, 26 in the last 2!

Mitchell Starc to Tilak Varma, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, TERRIFIC EFFORT FROM AXAR PATEL. Critics will call it a drop catch but optimists will see it as 5 runs saved. A length ball, around off, Naman Dhir lofts it towards long off. Axar is a bit wide at long off and has to race to his right and that ball seems to be heading over the ropes for all money. But at the last moment, Patel leaps and takes the catch. However, the momentum takes him beyond the ropes and he tries to push the ball back in play.

Oh Bapu! What an effort! But has he saved the boundary? The fielding effort is being checked upstairs. Seems okay and that is a top effort!

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, ! Two in two for Naman Dhir! Speared in at the stumps, on the fuller side, Naman stays deep in the crease and brings his wrists into play. Whips it through mid-wicket and beats the diving Jake Fraser-McGurk in the deep to his left for four more.

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, ! Easy pickings!

Mitchell Starc to Naman Dhir, Starc nails the yorker and it is bowled from wide of the crease from around the wicket, Dhir reaches out and tries to use the pace by opening the face of the bat but misses.

Mitchell Starc is back on. 2-0-30-0 so far.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Excellent review from Tilak Varma! Corker of a yorker from Mohit, around leg stump, Tilak plays all around it, looking to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Mohit appeals for LBW and the umpire raises his finger. Tilak takes the review and one can see Rahul mouthing to Mohit that he felt it pitched outside leg.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Slower ball, outside off, on a length, Naman Dhir punches it through the covers for a run, handing the strike back to Tilak.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, BACK-TO-BACK FIFTIES FOR TILAK VARMA! Terrific comeback into the side. Of course, he was dropped on 24, but that is not his problem. He has made full use of the life offered to him. A full toss, outside off, Tilak punches it towards long off for a single to get to his half century.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, ! Short and punished!

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, Good comeback ball from Mohit. Gets the yorker in, outside off, Dhir squeezes it out in front of extra cover for a single.

Mohit Sharma to Naman Dhir, ! Dhir welcomes Mohit with a biggie! Sharma bends his back and digs it in short, around the right shoulder of the batter. Dhir swivels on the back foot nicely and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a six.

One expects that is the end of spin in this innings. Mohit Sharma is back on. 1-0-13-0 so far.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, 2 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Goes for the reverse but Kuldeep slows it up and keeps it wide outside off. Tilak Varma cannot connect with his shot.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Outside off, a swing and a miss.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naman Dhir, Turning into the pads, Dhir tickles it towrads short fine leg off the back foot for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, 1 run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, ! A valiant effort from Starc, but in vain!

STRATEGIC TIME. 87/3 in the middle-overs phase. So MI have maintained their run rate of around 9-10 runs per over. They have attacked every bowler barring Kuldeep Yadav and that shows the class of the man. With others getting carted, he has held his own, with figures of 3-0-15-2. But he has only one over left. The innings has 5 pending. How will the other DC bowlers fare at the death? 210 seems to be on, but the other question now is - how much is enough on this track and small ground?

Vipraj Nigam to Naman Dhir, What a ripper to finish his spell.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, Another quicker googly, 99.1 kph, Tilak Varma stays back and works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, On middle and off, pushed back to the bowler.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, !! SLOT BALL HIT FOR SIX!

Vipraj Nigam to Naman Dhir, Full, around off, Naman Dhir is on the walk and pushes it towards long off for a single to get off the mark.

Who walks in next?

Tilak has been pretty consistent too. Since IPL 2023, he has also emerged as one of the top run-scorers among middle-order batters, scoring 830 runs at an average of 41.5 before this game.

Vipraj Nigam to Hardik Pandya, GONE! VIPRAJ NIGM HAS GOT HIS MAN!

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Full and fired at the leg stump, Tilak mistimes his flick to short fine leg. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over, Kuldeep Yadav's figures read 3-0-15-2.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, Quicker ball, around middle and off, Hardik Pandya picks it from the stumps and punches it towards sweeper cover for one.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Short, outside off, Tilak Varma gets across to pull but mistimes it towards short fine leg for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, On middle, pushed down to short mid-wicket.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Skipper Hardik Pandya walks in now at number 5, in his 50th IPL match as captain.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, GONE! KULDEEP HAS GOT THE BIG FISH! Full, on off, enticing the batter to go for the big one. Suryakumar accepts the offer and looks to go over long off, but he doesn't get it off the middle of the bat as he hits it straight to long off, where Starc takes an easy catch.

Kuldeep Yadav returns. 2-0-12-1 so far.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, 2 runs.

Vipraj Nigam to Tilak Varma, Four!

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Full on middle, Surya drives this one along the ground to long off for a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, ! THIS IS SWEEP HITTING MASTERCLASS FROM SURYAKUMAR YADAV! Short just outside off, Suryakumar Yadav again sits on one leg and sweeps it to the left of deep mid-wicket for four.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SWEEP ONCE MORE FROM SURYAKUMAR YADAV! Shorter on middle, Surya sits down on one leg and sweeps this one over the deep mid-wicket fielder for six.

Into the Orange Cap race, jumps Surya.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Six!

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Full and straight, Suryakumar Yadav exposes all his stumps and hits it down the ground to long on for a run.

Mohit Sharma to Tilak Varma, Around middle and off, Tilak winds up for a big heave and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Takes the single off the deflection.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Leg bye.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Short ball sliding well down leg, Suryakumar Yadav doesn't bother playing it as he lets it go. Wide given.

We talked about spin playing a pivotal role in the middle phase. Surya has equally dominated both pace and spin in IPL 2025. He strikes at around 153 against pace while he averages a mammoth 98 against spin! Here's bowler number 6. Mohit Sharma.

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SUPERB WRIST WORK! Full on off, Suryakumar Yadav whips this one over mid-wicket region for a one bounce four. 

Mohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav, Length ball seaming into the right hander, on middle stump, Surya works this one straight to short mid-wicket. Dot ball.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, TOP EDGE, !

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Tip and run. Outside off, Suryakumar taps it towards cover point and takes a quick single. 100 UP FOR MUMBAI INDIANS in the 11th over.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Landed outside off, Suryakumar Yadav stays leg side of the ball and eases it towards cover.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Fuller length arm ball, Surya stays stuck in his creas as he looks to push it into the off side. He gets beaten as the ball goes with the angle and hits his back leg. There is a bit of a discussion going on between KL & Axar whether to go for the review. And Axar eventually decides to go for it. Third umpire called in. Pitching in line, impact in line, but wickets missing. DC lose the review. Surya survives!

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav is on sweep hitting spree here! Full sliding down leg, Suryakumar Yadav brings out the sweeping broom again as he sweeps this one over short fine leg for four. There was a bit of a top edge on that one.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, Axar fires in a yorker on middle, Tilak flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Drops it short, around off, SKY cuts well but picks out the man at backward point.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Lovely bowling!

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, Pushed through, on a nagging length, on off, Varma gets on the back foot and plays it with a straight bat towards long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, A touch fuller, turning into the left hander, Tilak Varma cautiously defends it back to the bowler. Dot ball.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, A touch shorter in length, chinaman delivery, on middle-leg, Surya flicks this into the leg side towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, ! SWEPT AWAY AGAIN! Full-length just outside off, Surya again takes a big step across and brings out the broom as he sweeps it across the line to the right of diving square leg fielder for four.

FIRST STRATEGIC TIME. Wow. What can a pitch and a ground dimension do to a batting unit. Mumbai Indians were struggling before this match in the batting department, but just like every day is a new day, they have approached this game with fresh air. They have lost both their openers but have also hit 5 sixes in 54 balls - that's a six roughly every 11 balls. If we look at the overall boundary package, it reads 14 boundaries (4s+6s) in 54 balls - so we can get that down to a boundary roughly

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, Slows it down and gets the ball to grip in the surface, on the shorter side, on middle, Varma nudges it towards short fine leg.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, Speared in from well wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, full and on middle, SKY gets his bat out in front and drives it towards long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, A bit of grip and turn for Axar, short and on off, Suryakumar Yadav plays it with turn towards cover.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Tilak Varma, ! REVERSE-SWEPT! Quicker arm ball on middle, Tilak Varma was quick to switch over and reverse-sweep this over third man region for six.

Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, A touch Shorter on middle-leg, darting into the right hander, Surya punches it off the back foot to deep extra cover for a single.

Tilak Varma is built with consistency and striking ability, and he has been MI’s weapon in the middle. Since IPL 2023, Tilak has scored 910 runs at an average of 41.4.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Tilak Varma, ! Tilak Varma is on his way! Another googly from Kuldeep but the length is a bit too short, on middle, Tilak reads the googly and uses the depth of the crease. Pulls it firmly to the left of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Tilak Varma walks in next at number 4, replacing Ryan Rickelton.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ryan Rickelton, ! CLEANED HIM UP! Kuldeep Yadav strikes in his first over! Ryan Rickelton is outfoxed, and his promising stay has been cut short. Kuldeep dishes out the googly and lands it outside the off stump, on a nagging length, Rickelton hangs on the back foot to deal with it.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Quicker through the air, shorter in length, on off stump, Surya pushes it off the back foot to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up on off, Surya drives this back to the bowler. Dot ball.

Kuldeep Yadav to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run.

The middle overs (7-15) are pretty underrated in T20 cricket.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Keeps it full, on off, Ryan knocks it along the ground to long off for a single. 14 runs off the over.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, ! How has Ryan Rickelton managed to clear the fence here?

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Flat and short, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav reaches out in front and drags the sweep towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, BEAUTY! Slower through the air, leg break, turning away from the right hander, Surya pushes at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Suryakumar Yadav, Four!

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Full toss sliding down leg, very close to the leg stump, Ryan Rickelton goes for the sweep and misses it. The keeper doesn't collect it well and the ball deflects towards the short fine leg fielder. The batters runs for that misfield. Two wides!

Suryakumar Yadav has been Mumbai Indians’ standout batter in IPL 2025 so far, scoring a bulk of MI's runs so far.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Goes full this time, on off, Suryakumar Yadav cannot get under the ball and drives it along the ground to mid off.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Gets the line right and the length too, on a hard length, on middle, Yadav pats it back to Mukesh.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav is up and running! A bit too straight from Mukesh, on a short of a length, Suryakumar just walks inside the line of the ball and plays the pick-up shot. Parks it into the stands behind deep fine leg for a biggie to get off the mark.

Mukesh Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Sliding down leg again, on a back of a length, at 129.1 kph, SKY tries to help it away with the angle but misses. The ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Wide again, full as well, this time Rickelton finds the gap, driving it past cover-point for a single in the deep.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Wide outside off, driven straight to cover point.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! TAKE THAT! Dropped short, outside off, Ryan Rickelton gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with venom through mid-wicket! Moves to 32 (19), with his 5th four.

Suryakumar Yadav walks in at number 3, replacing Rohit Sharma.

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, ! LBW! A big shout for LBW but turned down! This looks straight and the Delhi Capitals have taken the review. Pushed through by Vipraj, on a nagging length, on middle, Rohit gets down on a knee and tries to swipe it away on the leg side. The ball skids through and sneaks under the blade to catch him on the back thigh. The ball does not have much distance to travel and there is no bat involved. The Ball Tracking comes up as three reds with the ball crashing

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, Floated up, on off, Rohit gets his front pad out of the way and drives it sweetly but straight to cover.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, Vipraj gets away with it! A half-tracker, on off, Ryan Rickelton presses on the back foot and ends up dragging the pull towards long on for just a single.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Vipraj Nigam to Rohit Sharma, 1 run.

Matthew Motts is up for a chat now.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! Creamed away!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Hurls it nice and full, attacking the stumps, Ryan Rickelton firmly drives it down the deck. Mukesh stops it with a leap to his right.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Slanting into the right-hander, on a nagging length, Rohit nudges it off the pads towards mid-wicket for a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run.

Without a doubt, Rohit is one of the best openers in the IPL and has the third best strike rate among Indian openers in IPL since 2024. (Minimum 450 runs).

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! Up and over! Back-to-back expensive overs from Starc. 19 off this one and 11 off the opening over. A bit too full from the Aussie, angling across the right-hander, Rohit just presses forward and goes inside out over cover for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, Well bowled! Starc takes pace off and drags the length back, outside off, Sharma does not pick the variation and just hangs his bat out in front to defend. Gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! Streaky but they all count!

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, ! AWESOME! That is classy Rohit.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Heart-in-mouth moment for Rickelton. Starc alters his length and changes his pace but Ryan does not pick it. Goes hard at the length ball and is months early. As a result, he spoons it off the face of his bat towards mid on. Mohit Sharma at mid on dives forward but the ball lands in front of him and goes off his body behind. A single taken.

Slip's gone now. Fine leg is up as well.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! Not a bad length, bowling it short and trying to cramp the batter for room, but the line was incorrect. Down the leg side, Ryan Rickelton tickles it to the right of the keeper to the fine leg fence.

Rohit's approach in the Powerplay has changed a lot. In fact, since IPL 2023, his strike rate in the Powerplays in IPL has been 140.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Serves it full, on off, Rickelton pats it to the left of mid off and keeps the strike with a single.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, ! Ryan Rickelton with the first six of the night!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Lands it on a hard length, over off, Rickelton rides the bounce and punches it straight to cover.

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, EDGED, SHORT! Mukesh is making the ball talk. Slightly fuller, outside off, Rickelton feels for the ball around his off stump and goes fishing. The ball takes the outside edge but because he played it with soft hands, the outside edge generated lands well short of the diving first slip, to his left.

Mukesh Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Ooohh... that nearly got him!

Mukesh Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Mukesh Kumar shares the new ball with Starc. Gets a bit of a curve into the left hander, around middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton works it towards mid on for a single.

Rohit Sharma has not got off to the start he would have hoped for in this year's IPL. He has scored just 38 runs in 4 outings. He is getting off to starts but is not able to capitalize. Could tonight be his night?

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Gets the line right now, does Starc, in the channel on off, on the fuller side, Rickelton pushes at the delivery away from his body. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards deep point for a single. 11 runs off the first over.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Wide! Starc looks to fire in a full ball, but this is sprayed down leg, Ryan misses the tickle. Wide given.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! Two in two, but this is even better! Starc keeps it full and gets a hint of away movement in the air, on off, Ryan lets the ball to come to him and just eases the drive to the right of mid off for four more.

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, ! First boundary of the evening! My word, the timing! My word, the outfield! Slightly erratic from the Aussie, on the pads and a bit too full, overpitched, to be precise, Ryan Rickelton just leans into the shot and flicks it to the left of mid on! Gets off the mark in style, on his very first ball!

Mitchell Starc to Ryan Rickelton, Fuller, around middle, hint of away shape, Ryan Rickelton pushes it towards mid on.

Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma, On the money, is Starc and on the board, is Rohit. On a good length, around middle and leg, Rohit Sharma watchfully pats it towards cover-point and takes the single.

The bell is rung to signal the start of the match and out walk the MI openers to the middle - Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma. They pass the DC group which is in a huddle and not sure who spoke or what was spoken, but at the end of it, everyone was smiling with Ashutosh Sharma and skipper Axar Patel literally in splits. Right then. India-Australia time? Or practice for the WTC final? Starc vs Rohit or Starc vs Rickelton? Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hand and it will be Rohit Sharm

A warm welcome to one and all once again. Why this second welcome? Today is a double-header Sunday and the fans would have been following the RR-RCB game earlier in the day. Thanks to Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, the game lovers have been given enough time to take a break post that match and rejoin for the evening clash. For those who tuned in late, Delhi Capitals have elected to chase, going against the past record at this venue. In the last 6 night T20s at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the team ba

So MI are going in with 4 overseas players in their playing XI while DC are going in with 3. Given that they are chasing, it will be interesting to see whom do they use as an impact player. Normally, it is Abishek Porel but given that he is in the playing XI tonight, one could see a Sameer Rizvi or even the big-hitting Donovan Ferreira don that role in the second innings.

The captain of Mumbai Indians, HARDIK PANDYA, is happy to have lost the toss as he says that he won the toss the previous 4 times but the result was not as per MI's desire. On the team conversations coming into the game, Hardik says that they were mostly about the mistakes made and how they can get better as he stresses that there is a lot of experience within the team to understand the situation. Informs that MI are trying not to hit the panic button as by experience, Pandya says that panicki

The skipper of Delhi Capitals, AXAR PATEL, says that Delhi have been chasing well and also because the wicket is a new one, he has decided to bowl first. On the previous history of teams batting first winning here most of the times, Patel puts it down as a past record and stresses that his decision is based on how his current team is functioning and what are its strengths. Admits that there will be a lot of challenges here as due to this being a small ground, there will be a lot of sixes hit. B

Impact nominations by DC - Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair, Darshan Nalkande, Donovan Ferreira and Dushmantha Chameera.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma and Mukesh Kumar.

Impact nominations by MI -  Karn Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa and Robin Minz.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(C), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.