Mumbai is bracing for potential weather disruptions as the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare to face off in a crucial IPL 2025 match at Wankhede Stadium today, May 21, 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, forecasting thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds in the region over the next few days due to a cyclonic system forming over the Arabian Sea. This weather forecast casts a shadow over the highly anticipated match, which holds significant implications for both teams' playoff aspirations.
According to various sources, there's a high probability of rain, with estimates ranging from 70% to 90% during the day. While some forecasts suggest a decrease in rainfall probability later in the evening closer to the match time, the overall weather conditions remain unpredictable. AccuWeather predicts a 7% chance of rain around the toss time (7:30 PM IST), while BBC Weather indicates a 35% chance at the start, increasing to 70% later in the evening.
The potential for a washout has prompted concerns and discussions about the possible scenarios and their impact on the teams' chances of securing a playoff berth. If the match is washed out, both teams will receive one point each. This would benefit Mumbai Indians, placing them in a slightly more advantageous position due to their current standing in the points table.
With a point for each team after a washout, MI's tally would reach 15, while DC would have 14. In this scenario, Mumbai would need to win their final league game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) to directly qualify with 17 points. Even if MI loses to PBKS, they could still qualify if Delhi also loses to PBKS, leaving MI at 15 points and DC at 14 points. Delhi's qualification hopes would become more challenging, as they would need to win against Punjab Kings in their final game and hope that Mumbai loses to Punjab Kings. This scenario would see DC reach 16 points and MI remain at 15, potentially allowing DC to sneak into the top four.
Given the unpredictable weather, Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal has reportedly requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider shifting the match to an alternate venue with more favorable weather conditions. However, as of now, the BCCI has not made any official announcements regarding a change in venue, and the match is still scheduled to take place in Mumbai.
To ensure the possibility of completing the match despite weather interruptions, the BCCI has extended the reserve time for league matches by two hours. This allows for a five-over-a-side game to potentially start as late as 11:56 PM IST. However, Wankhede Stadium's drainage system may pose a challenge in quickly preparing the ground after heavy rainfall.
With so much at stake, the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, along with their fans, will be closely monitoring the weather forecast and hoping for a clear enough window to allow for a competitive and uninterrupted match.
