Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani was visibly elated after the five-time champions secured their spot in the IPL 2025 play-offs with a commanding 59-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, 21 May. The win, on a sluggish surface, took MI to 16 points – enough to seal their place as the fourth and final team in the knockouts.
As television cameras panned towards the owners’ dugout, Nita Ambani was seen holding up six fingers, a clear message to the world – Mumbai are eyeing a record-extending sixth IPL title. Currently tied with Chennai Super Kings on five championships each, a title win this season would put MI in a league of their own. IPL 2025, MI vs DC Highlights
Nita Ambani, along with her son Aakash Ambani, celebrated the crucial win with the team. She also joined the players for a victory lap around the stadium after MI’s final home game of the season. Rohit Sharma led the lap of honour, delighting fans by hitting signed tennis balls into the stands – a gesture that has become a crowd favourite at the Wankhede.
Despite forecasts of heavy rain, the weather held firm throughout the match. Fittingly for MI, showers began only after the final delivery had been bowled, allowing the celebrations to unfold uninterrupted.
The victory capped another signature MI turnaround. After a dismal start to the season – losing four of their first five matches – the five-time champions bounced back in style, winning seven of their next eight to surge into the play-offs.
On Wednesday, MI delivered a clinical performance with both bat and ball. On a pitch that made stroke play difficult, they were precariously placed at 132 for 5 at the end of the 18th over. But a late assault from Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir – who took Dushmantha Chameera and Mukesh Kumar to the cleaners – produced 48 runs in the final two overs, lifting the total to a formidable 180.
It proved more than enough on a pitch that offered turn and uneven bounce. Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar struck early with the new ball before Mitchell Santner and Jasprit Bumrah dismantled the Capitals’ middle and lower order. Santner, in particular, was outstanding, claiming 3 for 11 in a spell that choked the chase. Delhi were bowled out for just 121 in 18.2 overs.
Mumbai Indians will face Punjab Kings in their final league match in Jaipur on Monday, 26 May. With the race for the top two spots still open, MI will be hoping for favourable results elsewhere to give themselves the best possible route through the play-offs.