Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, May 22: After 13 games of consistent brilliance but no Player of the Match (POTM) recognition, Mumbai Indians’ star batter Suryakumar Yadav finally ended the wait in emphatic fashion, leading his side to a thumping 59-run victory over Delhi Capitals in Match 63 of IPL 2025 at a packed Wankhede Stadium.
Known for his flamboyant 360-degree batting, Suryakumar played a gem of an innings on a sluggish wicket, scoring a stunning 73 off 43 balls, and propelling Mumbai Indians to 180/5 after they were struggling at 132/5 in the 18th over. He shared a blistering stand with Naman Dhir, hammering 48 runs in the last two overs, completely turning the tide in MI’s favour.
With this knock, Suryakumar equalled the world record for most consecutive 25-plus scores (13) in T20s, sharing the feat with South Africa’s Temba Bavuma.
The elated 34-year-old, who is now third in the Orange Cap race with 583 runs, dedicated the POTM award to his wife Devisha, who had noted the curious absence of the accolade from his otherwise glittering IPL campaign.
"My wife told me a sweet story – I’ve got all the awards, but not the POTM award. So, this one’s really special," SKY said at the post-match presentation, smiling. "This trophy is for her. She waits for these moments, and now we’re going to celebrate with a big cake, as usual."
With the win, Mumbai Indians sealed the fourth and final playoff spot, keeping their title hopes alive. The team’s bowlers were equally effective as Mitchell Santner (3/11) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/12) dismantled Delhi Capitals for 121 all out, wrapping up a clinical performance.
On the other hand, Delhi’s stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis admitted the team let momentum slip away. "We bowled well for 17-18 overs, but Suryakumar and Naman took it away from us in the last two. Momentum is real in cricket. Unfortunately, we’ve been hot and cold this season, especially in the last seven to eight games," said the South African veteran.
Faf rued the absence of Axar Patel, saying his presence on a spin-friendly track could have made a big difference. "On a wicket like this, Axar would’ve loved bowling. Mitchell Santner showed what spinners can do here. Sadly, Axar was too sick to play," he added.
Delhi Capitals, unable to maintain consistency, saw their playoff hopes dashed – a fair reflection, as Faf described it, of their inconsistent campaign.
For Mumbai Indians, however, the night belonged to Suryakumar Yadav – who not only powered his team into the playoffs but also gave Devisha and fans a night to remember.