Mumbai, May 2025 — It wasn’t just Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive batting that won hearts at the Wankhede on Wednesday night — it was also his off-field grace. Following Mumbai Indians’ emphatic 59-run victory over Delhi Capitals, sealing their spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs, Suryakumar offered a rare and touching gesture during the post-match presentation.
As light rain began to fall moments after the game, Suryakumar was seen sharing his umbrella with veteran broadcaster Harsha Bhogle, creating a feel-good moment that instantly went viral. The scene unfolded just as Bhogle was about to begin the Player of the Match interview — a recognition Suryakumar had waited 13 games for this season. And it was well-deserved.
Coming in during a tense phase, Suryakumar played a sublime unbeaten knock of 73 runs off 44 balls, anchoring the innings before unleashing a brutal onslaught in the final overs. Partnering with Naman Dhir, he helped add a staggering 48 runs in the last two overs, pushing MI’s total to 180/5 — a score that proved well beyond Delhi’s reach.
“It was important for one batter to bat through the innings,” Suryakumar said during the interview. “We always knew there would be one big over. Naman’s energy and timing in those last overs were crucial. Dominant Bowling, Record Qualification On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah (3/12) and Mitchell Santner (3/11) dismantled the Delhi Capitals lineup, bowling them out for 121. With this result, MI not only claimed the final playoff spot but also recorded their 11th playoff qualification — the most by any team in IPL history.
Despite starting the season strong, Delhi’s playoff hopes ended in heartbreak. Needing a win to stay in the race, their batting order collapsed under pressure, and they became the first team in IPL history to miss out on the playoffs after winning their first four games.
What’s Next
Mumbai Indians will now head to Jaipur to face Punjab Kings on May 26, in a match that could still influence the top-two standings depending on other results. PBKS, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Titans had already booked their spots in the playoffs before MI’s qualification. For all the drama of big hits and wickets, it was that quiet act of kindness under an umbrella that reminded everyone of the human side of cricket — one that often lingers longer than the scoreboard.
