The Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals were handed their first defeat of IPL 2025 by five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday night.
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Playing in their first match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium of IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end thanks to a late collapse including a hat-trick of run outs in the final over of their chase against Mumbai Indians. DC started their campaign with three wins in a row before MI handed them a 12-run defeat on Sunday evening.
During the contest, DC were found to have extended the limit for completing their quota of 20 overs for which their captain Axar Patel has been punished with a fine of Rs 12 lakh.
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In a statement late Sunday night, the BCCI confirmed the quantum of punishment.
“As this was his (Patel’s) team’s first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Patel was fined INR 12 lakhs,” the statement read.
Axar gave a below-par performance with the ball against MI. He bowled two wicketless overs for 19 runs as the visitors racked up 205/5 after DC opted to bowl first.
Then with the bat, Axar started well with two boundaries before becoming Jasprit Bumrah’s sole victim of the night. He scored 9 off 6 as DC were bowled out for 193 in 19 overs.
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“We had the game. I think we had soft dismissals from the middle order, some bad shots. We lost by 12 runs with an over to go, so we could have still won it. It can’t happen that your lower-order batters will always come and save you in chases,” Axar told the broadcasters after the match.
“There are some odd days where you play wrong shots, so I don’t think there’s any point thinking too much about it. I thought 205 was a great target because it was a good pitch and dew was also coming,” he added.
DC will next host Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.
