Daijiworld Media Network- Jaipur

Jaipur, May 25: In what marked a bittersweet end to their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 journey, Delhi Capitals (DC) signed off with a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, but skipper Faf du Plessis remained candid about the season’s shortcomings.

Speaking to the media after the victory, Du Plessis said the team’s fifth-place finish was a “fair reflection” of their topsy-turvy campaign.

"Finishing on a high is important. Fifth is a fair reflection of our season, but we need to be more consistent to be in the top four," Du Plessis was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

DC had begun the tournament on a positive note, registering four early wins, but mid-season inconsistencies and crucial slip-ups saw their playoff hopes fade. The South African stalwart admitted that a combination of factors derailed the team's momentum.

"One of the great mysteries. Combination of confidence, lack of form and basics," Du Plessis remarked, summing up the campaign's erratic rhythm.

With the IPL known for its razor-thin margins, Du Plessis stressed how pivotal five-to-six-over phases in matches made the difference between victory and defeat.

"When you're playing well, small margins go with you. Every single time, there were five-six over windows in both batting and bowling where we let it slip," he added.

The final game, however, ended on a rousing note for Delhi, thanks to a blistering knock from Sameer Rizvi, who scored an unbeaten 58 off just 25 balls. Rizvi smashed three boundaries and four sixes, as DC chased down a daunting 207-run target in just 19.3 overs, sealing a six-wicket victory in front of a packed Jaipur crowd.

While the Capitals may have fallen short of playoff qualification, Du Plessis’ leadership and the emergence of young talents like Rizvi provide reasons for optimism. The franchise will now shift focus to building a more balanced and consistent unit ahead of IPL 2026.