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In a major setback ahead of one of their most critical matches this season, Delhi Capitals have been forced to play without their regular captain and premier all-rounder Axar Patel, who has been ruled out of the high-stakes league match against Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The match, taking place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, holds massive implications for both teams, with a coveted playoff berth up for grabs. In Axar’s absence, experienced South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has been handed the reins to lead Delhi in this must-win encounter.
The reason behind Axar Patel’s absence from MI vs DC clash
The decision surprised many, especially as there had been no official communication about Axar’s health concerns in the days leading up to the match. It was only during the toss that Du Plessis revealed the reason behind Axar’s absence, confirming that the all-rounder had been seriously ill with flu over the past two days and was not fit enough to take the field.
Speaking at the toss, Du Plessis didn’t acknowledge the value Axar brings to the team, calling him “two players in one” owing to his dual ability with both bat and ball. Du Plessis added that Axar’s recent flu had left him very sick and unavailable for such a crucial fixture. He further emphasized the difficulty in finding a like-for-like replacement for someone of Axar’s calibre, noting that his absence will certainly disrupt the team balance.
“Axar’s been down with flu. Really sick in the last two days. We wish him all the best. He’s been excellent for us this season, and we’ll miss him today. Axar is two players, a fantastic spinner and a great batter. It’s difficult to replace that,” Faf said.
Axar has played a vital role throughout the season, both as a leader and as a consistent performer with the ball in the powerplay and with the bat in pressure situations. His unavailability has forced Delhi to make strategic adjustments in both departments, something they can ill afford in a match of such high stakes. The Capitals, already inconsistent this season, now enter a virtual knockout game without their most dependable Indian player, placing even more responsibility on the shoulders of their overseas stars and young Indian talents.
Delhi Capitals bowl first; Mumbai Indians strengthen spin with Mitchell Santner in lineup
Delhi, led by stand-in captain du Plessis, won the toss and elected to bowl first under the lights at the Wankhede. The decision appeared to be driven by the usual dew factor that influences night games in Mumbai, as well as a desire to chase in a pressure situation. On the other hand, Mumbai made just one change to their playing XI, bringing in New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner in place of Corbin Bosch. This change subtly shifted MI’s bowling dynamic, giving them an additional spin option to counter Delhi’s right-hand heavy middle order. The rest of the Mumbai lineup remained unchanged, featuring a blend of firepower and experience across departments.
