New Delhi: Delhi Capitals’ star bowler Mitchell Starc shines as Axar Patel’s side beat Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025’s first super over thriller at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
Mitchell Starc (1/36 in 4) showcased nerves of steel in a high-pressure final over, successfully defending nine runs and pushing the match into a Super Over when Rajasthan Royals seemed destined for victory.
The Aussie left-arm quick delivered a brilliant Super Over too, allowing only a couple of boundaries. He was aided by two sharp run-outs, limiting RR to just 11 runs.
In response, KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs kept calm under pressure, striking a four and a six respectively to secure Delhi Capitals’ maiden win at the Feroz Shah Kotla this season.
While chasing a target of 189, Yashasvi Jaiswal (51 off 37) and hometown hero Nitish Rana (51 off 28) had Rajasthan Royals in complete control. However, a spirited fightback from Delhi Capitals’ bowlers in the final overs shifted the momentum, resulting in a dramatic finish with RR matching DC’s total at 188/4.
Earlier in the match, Delhi posted a competitive 188/5, thanks to a steady knock by Abishek Porel (49) and impactful late innings contributions from captain Axar Patel (34 off 14) and Tristan Stubbs (an unbeaten 34 off 18) after being put in to bat.
Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, Jaiswal came out firing, smashing two big sixes off Mukesh Kumar and following it up with a couple of crisp boundaries and a massive six against Mitchell Starc, clearly showing his aggressive intent.
Sanju Samson joined the scoring spree, though a dropped catch by Ashutosh Sharma gave him a lifeline. Unfortunately, the Royals’ skipper had to leave the field injured after appearing to strain himself during the innings.
As the run chase gained momentum, Axar Patel, who had yet to claim a wicket this season, finally made a breakthrough with a beauty that deceived Riyan Parag completely.
Jaiswal appeared to be in total control, but Axar turned to his go-to spinner Kuldeep Yadav (1/33 from 4 overs). The gamble paid off as Kuldeep dismissed the well-set Jaiswal, shifting the tide back toward Delhi.
Still, Nitish Rana wasn’t ready to back down. The left-hander played with clarity and finesse, dispatching anything within reach to the boundary ropes.
His measured strokeplay and clean hitting kept Rajasthan in contention. But the match took another turn when Starc trapped him LBW, flipping the script once more.
Earlier, Delhi’s innings was built on a steady 63-run partnership between Abhishek Porel and KL Rahul (38). That base was powered further by Axar’s fiery 34 off just 13 balls and a composed unbeaten 34 off 18 from Tristan Stubbs, ensuring DC posted a competitive total in an innings filled with momentum shifts.
Sandeep Sharma (0/33) delivered an impressive spell, smartly varying his pace to keep the batters guessing. Unfortunately, he lost his accuracy in the final over, conceding four wides and a no-ball, which dented his otherwise economical outing.
Delhi Capitals began with aggression, as Jake Fraser-McGurk (9) opened the innings by slamming consecutive boundaries off Jofra Archer (2/32), setting an early attacking tone.
Abishek Porel brought the crowd to life with a stunning assault in the second over. He went after Tushar Deshpande, racking up 23 runs that included four stylish fours.
The standout moment came with a graceful flick over deep square leg for six, drawing loud cheers from the fans.
However, DC’s early momentum hit a speed bump when Fraser-McGurk’s struggles with form continued. He mistimed a straightforward shot, handing an easy catch to Yashasvi Jaiswal at mid-off in the fourth over, handing RR their first breakthrough.
Delhi’s innings faced another hiccup as a misunderstanding between Abishek Porel and the well-set Karun Nair (0) led to a run out, derailing their brisk start.
Rajasthan’s bowlers then seized control in the middle phase, choking the flow of runs and piling on pressure through tight lines and clever variations.
Despite the slowdown, Porel found a reliable partner in the experienced KL Rahul. The senior batter steadied the ship, breaking the shackles with a pair of massive sixes, one hammered straight down the ground off Deshpande in the 7th over, and another lofted gracefully over long-off against Theekshana in the 11th.
Just as Delhi looked to be regaining momentum, Sanju Samson reintroduced Jofra Archer into the attack. The English speedster made an immediate impact, removing Rahul with a short-of-a-length ball that was safely pouched by Shimron Hetmyer at deep midwicket.
Shimron Hetmyer completed a sharp low grab just before it hit the turf, shifting the balance once again in Rajasthan’s direction.
However, Delhi captain Axar Patel, who had been quiet this season, found his rhythm at the perfect time. He unleashed a flurry of strokes, hammering four fours and a couple of sixes, setting the stage for a late flourish. Tristan Stubbs then added the finishing touches with some crisp hitting, pushing DC to a formidable total.
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