Mitchell Starc delivered a match-turning final over and helped Delhi Capitals secure a thrilling Super Over win against Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson lauded it.
In a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, Mitchell Starc delivered under pressure to help Delhi Capitals edge past Rajasthan Royals in the first Super Over of the IPL 2025 season. The left-arm pacer conceded just eight runs in the final over, denying RR the nine runs they needed for victory and pushing the game into extra time, where the hosts sealed a dramatic win.
Rajasthan Royals were chasing a target of 189 and looked in control until Starc’s final over changed the momentum. With only nine required off six deliveries, the Australian speedster produced a sensational spell, showing why he is among the best in world cricket.
Sanju Samson gave RR a strong start, scoring a brisk 31 off just 19 balls, including three sixes and two fours. However, he retired hurt during the sixth over bowled by DC’s Vipraj Nigam after experiencing pain in his ribs.
“It feels alright (his injury). I wasn’t just ready to come back and bat. It feels alright now. We will observe it tomorrow and see how it is,” Samson said after the match.
Praising Starc’s match-defining spell, the RR skipper acknowledged his brilliance in the death overs. “I think as we all saw, some fantastic bowling by Starcy. He is one of the best guys around in the world. I would like to give it to Starcy. He won them the game in the 20th over,” he stated.
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In the Super Over, Rajasthan Royals managed to score just 11 runs. Starc remained economical once again, keeping the pressure on. Delhi Capitals sent in KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs to chase the target. The duo made quick work of the task, finishing the chase in just four balls.
Despite the narrow loss, Samson appreciated his team’s overall effort. “We bowled well. There were phases when they came hard at us. I would like to give credit to our bowlers and fielders. The energy on the ground was fantastic,” he said.
He also felt the match was well within reach, especially given their positive start. “I thought that score was chaseable given the batting lineup that we had. The start that we got in the Powerplay. I felt it was a chaseable score,” Samson added.
The Royals’ skipper had special praise for Sandeep Sharma, who bowled the Super Over for his side. “I think Sandeep has been bowling the toughest overs for us in the last few years. Starcy took it away,” he remarked.
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