April 14, 2025: Karn Sharma made a triumphant return to the Mumbai Indians lineup after nearly 6-7 years, delivering a match-winning performance that ended Delhi Capitals’ four-match winning streak in the IPL 2025. The experienced leg-spinner bagged 3 wickets for 36 runs, helping MI defend a tricky total and secure a much-needed 12-run victory — their second win of the season.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the 37-year-old expressed his joy at donning the Mumbai Indians jersey again and contributing to a crucial win:
“First of all, I’m happy to play again for the Mumbai Indians after 6-7 years. Really happy to pick up where I left off.”
Karn revealed that the strategy, discussed with head coach Mark Boucher and skipper Hardik Pandya, was simple: take wickets when Delhi looked comfortable chasing at 10-11 runs per over.
He also credited a key moment in the match — the change of ball due to dew — as the game-changer:
“The old ball was getting wet. The new ball gave us more grip and bounce. Santner and I were able to extract that purchase, which turned the game in our favor.”
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of IPL, Karn admitted it’s tough to know when you’ll be in the playing XI.
“In tournaments like the IPL, you can never be sure of playing. You just have to stay ready, wait for your chance, and make it count. At the end of the day, the most important thing is helping your team get those two points.”
One of the key turning points in the match was the dismissal of KL Rahul, who was in red-hot form after his unbeaten 93 against RCB.
“KL’s wicket was pivotal,” Karn said. “He’s been in great form. Once he got out, it shifted the momentum back to us.”
Karn also credited Karun Nair’s dismissal as a momentum swing, as MI picked up 3 wickets in quick succession, dismantling DC’s chase.
With this win, Mumbai Indians not only broke Delhi’s unbeaten streak but also gained a much-needed boost ahead of their next fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad, scheduled for Thursday. The return of a seasoned match-winner like Karn Sharma could be exactly what MI need as they look to find rhythm in IPL 2025.