Mitchell Starc delivered a match-winning performance as Delhi Capitals edged past Rajasthan Royals in a dramatic Super Over clash.
Ace Australian pacer Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals’ thrilling Super Over victory against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. The left-arm quick not only defended nine runs in the final over to take the match into a Super Over but also bowled a tight over in extra time to restrict the visitors to just 11 runs, earning himself the Player of the Match award.
Starc, who returned with figures of 1 for 36 in his four overs, made a crucial breakthrough when Rajasthan needed 31 off the final 18 deliveries. He dismissed Nitish Rana, who had scored a quickfire 51 off 28 balls, with a deadly yorker in the 18th over, conceding just eight runs and tilting the game in Delhi’s favour.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Starc admitted he was surprised by Rajasthan’s choice of batters in the Super Over, especially considering the angle of his deliveries. “It was a bit of a surprise to see left-handers come in with my angle as the ball was tailing back in. Got one wrong there with the side line no-ball, but we had the batting depth then to chase that down,” Starc said.
In the Super Over, Starc gave away only two boundaries and was backed by two sharp run-outs that restricted Rajasthan to 11. The run chase was then comfortably completed by KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, who hit a four and a six respectively, sealing Delhi’s first win at home this season.
Earlier in the match, Delhi posted a competitive total of 188 for 5 after being put in to bat. The foundation was laid by Abishek Porel, who scored a steady 49, while explosive cameos from captain Axar Patel (34 off 14 balls) and Stubbs (34 not out off 18) gave the hosts strong momentum in the death overs.
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Rajasthan’s chase began with a flourish as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson took on the bowlers early. Jaiswal smacked two sixes off Mukesh Kumar and followed it up by hammering Starc for two fours and a towering six. The duo added 61 runs before Samson walked off with a side strain in the final over of the powerplay.
Riyan Parag came in as the impact sub and got going with a boundary off Kuldeep Yadav, but Axar Patel cleaned him up for 8. Despite being dropped on 45, Jaiswal went on to complete his second fifty of the season before falling in the 18th over to Starc’s brilliant yorker.
The match was eventually tied at 188/4 after Dhruv Jurel (26 off 17) was run out while attempting a second run on the final ball of the innings, leading to the first Super Over of IPL 2025. Delhi Capitals now head to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans on Saturday, April 19, in what promises to be another exciting clash.
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