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The Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, have revived one of their most hilarious team traditions by playfully punishing latecomers, this time targeting three of their prominent players: Tilak Varma, Will Jacks and Raj Angad Bawa.
Mumbai Indians’ unique punishment to Tilak Varma and other team players
The trio, reportedly arriving late at the airport ,after their emphatic win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), were asked to wear MI-themed superhero costumes complete with capes. Rather than resisting the punishment, all three players sportingly embraced the fun, posing cheerfully for cameras and engaging with fans who enjoyed the light-hearted moment. Suryakumar Yadav also joined in the banter, further fueling the team camaraderie. MI later shared the video on social media with a cheeky caption in Hindi: “Late ho gaye ki punishment suit toh pehenna padega! And uski reel toh banegi hi” (If you’re late, you wear the punishment suit, and yes, we’re definitely making a reel out of it!).
Here’s the video:
Carrying forward the ‘Cape of Shame’ legacy from 2024
This isn’t the first time MI have dished out such whimsical penalties. The ‘cape of shame’ – as it has come to be known among fans—was also used last season, when wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was late to a team meeting and was humorously forced to wear the costume. That incident set a precedent, and soon other players like Shams Mulani and Nuwan Thushara joined the “latecomers’ league” and were similarly ‘superheroed’ in the MI camp. These moments are not just about enforcing punctuality, but also about fostering team spirit, encouraging humility, and keeping the mood upbeat within a highly competitive setup like the IPL.
Timing the fun after a massive win over CSK
The latest round of punishments came right after MI’s resounding victory over arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a challenging target of 177, the Mumbai Indians bulldozed their way to victory in under 16 overs, winning by nine wickets and soaring to sixth place on the IPL 2025 points table. The boost in Net Run Rate (NRR) was significant, and the relaxed post-match atmosphere allowed for such fun activities to unfold. By blending discipline with humor, MI continues to show why they’re one of the most admired franchises—not just for their trophies but for their dynamic dressing room culture. MI will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial group stage at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday (April 23).
