IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – A Super Over Thriller
Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – A Super Over Thriller
On the night of April 16, 2025, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi witnessed a cricket spectacle that left fans buzzing with excitement. The clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 32nd match of IPL 2025 was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a dramatic superover that etched this game into the tournament’s history. Let’s dive into the thrilling moments, key performances, and fascinating stats that made this match unforgettable.
Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals-Toss and Game Plan
Rajasthan Royals’ captain, Sanju Samson, won the toss and opted to bowl first, banking on the batting-friendly pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium and anticipating dew to make bowling tougher later. Delhi Capitals, riding high in second place on the points table with a strong season, aimed to post a big total with their explosive batting lineup. Meanwhile, Rajasthan, struggling at eighth with just two wins from six games, desperately needed a victory to revive their campaign.
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Delhi Capitals’ Batting: Fireworks Galore
Delhi’s innings kicked off with openers Abhishek Porel and Jake Fraser-McGurk. Fraser-McGurk, unable to find his rhythm this season, fell early. However, Porel played a gem, scoring 49 off 37 balls, and laying a solid foundation. In the middle order, KL Rahul chipped in with a steady 38 off 32, but it was captain Axar Patel (34 off 14) and Tristan Stubbs (34 off 18) who turned the heat up. Their late onslaught added 77 runs in the final five overs, propelling Delhi to a formidable 188/5.
The last over by RR’s Sandeep Sharma was a talking point. Leaking 19 runs, it included wides and no-balls, stretching to 11 deliveries—one of the longest overs in IPL history. Axar’s six and four boundaries pushed Delhi close to 190.
Rajasthan Royals’ Chase: A Promising Start Derailed
Chasing 189, Rajasthan Royals started strongly. Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and Sanju Samson (31) blazed 63 runs in the first six overs, putting Delhi’s bowlers under pressure. Jaiswal’s massive six left commentators in awe. However, disaster struck when Samson retired hurt with a rib injury in the sixth over, disrupting RR’s momentum.
Nitish Rana kept the fight alive with a brisk 51, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Delhi’s spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, tightened the screws. Kuldeep, in top form with 10 wickets in five matches, bowled economically, while RR’s middle order, including Riyan Parag (8), struggled to keep up.
The Final Over Drama: Starc Shines
The match reached fever pitch in the last over, with Rajasthan needing 9 runs off 6 balls. Mitchell Starc, criticized for being expensive this season, delivered a masterclass. Conceding just 8 runs with no boundaries, he kept RR in check. On the final ball, with 2 runs needed, Axar Patel’s brilliant fielding and KL Rahul’s sharp throw ran out Dhruv Jurel, tying the scores at 188/4. The stage was set for IPL 2025’s first super over.
Super Over: Starc and Stubbs Seal the Deal
In the super over, Rajasthan sent Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag to bat, with Starc bowling again. Despite a controversial no-ball giving RR an extra delivery, Starc restricted them to 11 runs, aided by two run-outs (Jaiswal and Parag). For Delhi, KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs took strike against Sandeep Sharma. Rahul scored a double and a four, while Stubbs smashed a towering six on the fourth ball, chasing down 12 runs in just four deliveries. This victory propelled Delhi to the top of the points table with five wins in six matches, while Rajasthan slumped to their fifth loss in seven.
Scoreboard
| Team | Score | Overs | Key Performers |
| Delhi Capitals | 188/5 | 20 | Abhishek Porel (49), Axar Patel (34) |
| Rajasthan Royals | 188/4 | 20 | Yashasvi Jaiswal (51), Nitish Rana (51) |
| Super Over (RR) | 11/2 | 1 | Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag |
| Super Over (DC) | 12/0 | 0.4 | KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs |
Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc (for defending 9 runs in the final over and conceding 11 in the super over).
Fascinating Facts
- Starc’s Redemption: After facing flak for costly spells, Starc’s heroics in the final over and super over earned him the Player of the Match award.
- Samson’s Injury Blow: Samson’s exit due to injury was a turning point, leaving RR’s middle order exposed.
- Porel’s Anchor Role: Abhishek Porel’s 49 provided the stability Delhi needed for their late surge.
- Kuldeep’s Spin Magic: Kuldeep’s 5.94 economy and 10 wickets kept him in the race for the Purple Cap.
- Super Over Milestone: This was the first super over of IPL 2025 and the 15th in IPL history.
- Jaiswal’s Six-Hitting Feat: Jaiswal’s six in this match took him to 100 T20 sixes in India, a significant milestone.
- Sandeep’s Unwanted Record: Sandeep Sharma’s 11-ball final over joined the list of IPL’s longest overs.
Key Stats
- Head-to-Head: DC and RR have now played 30 matches, with each team winning 15.
- Samson vs DC: Samson has scored 387 runs in 18 matches against Delhi, the highest by any active RR batter.
- Kuldeep’s Dominance: Kuldeep’s 10 wickets in five matches underline his importance to DC.
- Sandeep’s Struggles: His 11-ball over was a rare blemish in an otherwise disciplined bowling effort.
Final Thoughts
The DC vs RR clash was a standout moment in IPL 2025, blending high-octane cricket with nail-biting drama. Mitchell Starc’s clutch performance, Axar Patel’s leadership, and Tristan Stubbs’ finishing touch gave Delhi a memorable win. For Rajasthan, it’s back to the drawing board to address their batting and strategy. This match was a treat for cricket fans, with the super over adding the perfect cherry on top.
Did you catch this epic game? Share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more IPL 2025 updates!