IPL 2025 Points Table, Purple Cap, Orange Cap: GT Take Top Spot, DC Slip To...

Mumbai Indians' 'forever captain' Rohit Sharma's tactical call was executed to perfection by 'Impact Substitute' Karn Sharma as they made a comeback for the ages with a 12-run victory over Delhi Capitals in Delhi on Sunday to bring their IPL campaign back on track. Chasing a target of 206, Karun Nair's brilliant 40-ball-89 went in vain as Delhi Capitals, who were cruising along at 119 for one just after the halfway stage, ended on 193 in 19 overs after an eventful penultimate over which saw three run outs and two boundaries. At the end of action on Sunday, Nicholas Pooran continued to hold the Orange Cap with 349 runs, while Noor Ahmad too kept the Purple Cap with him with 12 wickets to his name.

Rohit, the tactician par excellence, indicated to his coach Mahela Jayawardene to bring in Karn and also asked for a ball change after the 11th over.

And suddenly the ball started to grip and turn with Mitchell Santner's dream delivery disturbing Nair's off-stick and Karn picking up three for 36 on a day ruled by wrist spinners.

Once KL Rahul, not known for handling pressure situations on slightly slowish track, was fooled by a classic leg-break by Karn, which lobbed up, the DC batting started to crumble.

In the end, MI's brilliant ground fielding showed its effect as three run outs ended Delhi Capitals's brilliant streak of wins.

This is the kind of victory that lifts the spirit and Rohit's observation on the changing nature of the track and initiation of spinners on a day when Jasprit Bumrah was off-colour did the trick.

For DC, Nair, one of India's only two Test triple centurions but who was down and out till the start of the 2024-25 domestic season, became the proverbial phoenix, rising from the ashes with stupendous