New Delhi: There was drama, thrill and suspense as hosts Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched a thrilling Super Over victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a nail-biting clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Wednesday, April 16. Delhi Capitals chased down 12 runs in just 4 balls in the Super Over to bag their fifth win of the season and go on top of the IPL 2025 points table.
The clash between the two sides went into a Super Over after a terrific last over from Mitchell Starc, who gave away only 8 runs off the 20th with RR requiring 9 runs to win in the 189-run chase. Starc initially struggled to nail his yorkers to perfection against Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer, but ended up nailing his last three deliveries to stop RR on 188/4 to tie the game.
With two runs to get off the last ball, Jurel clipped a full delivery from Starc towards mid-wicket, but DC skipper Axar Patel was quick to collect the ball and help KL Rahul affect a comfortable run-out on the striker’s end. Jurel was dismissed on 26 off 17 with RR falling short by a run as the game headed into a decisive Super Over.
Mitchell Starc turned out to be the hero for Delhi Capitals once again in the Super Over as he conceded only 11 runs off it to give the hosts an edge in the nail-biting contest. Starc did bowl a no-ball and was hit for a boundary on it by Riyan Parag on the fourth ball of the Super Over, but made a strong comeback.
The left-arm pacer bowled a low full-toss to Parag, who ended up getting run out, trying to steal a single off it. Yashasvi Jaiswal came out to bat for RR next, but he couldn’t contribute as he too was run out on the next ball, as the visitors managed 11 runs in the Super Over.
DC sent out KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs in the Super Over, and the duo made light work of the 12-run target by taking just 4 balls to chase it down against pacer Sandeep Sharma. Rahul started the over with a couple before smashing a boundary over deep backward-point on the next ball to bring the equation down to 6 needed off the last four balls.
Stubbs smashes a six to seal a memorable victory for Delhi Capitals in what was the first Super Over contest in the IPL since 2021. Delhi Capitals, who lost their last game against Mumbai Indians by 12 runs at home, bounced back to winning ways with the thrilling win and jumped to the top spot on the points table with 10 points from six matches.
Rajasthan Royals were cruising for most of their 189-run chase against Delhi Capitals, but ended up faltering in the end, which cost them the game. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana slammed half-centuries apiece to set the platform for a commanding win for the Royals, but Jurel and Hetmyer failed to take the team over the line.
In pursuit of the 189-run target, Jaiswal combined with skipper Sanju Samson to provide RR with a cracking start with a 61-run stand. The duo capitalised on the Powerplay and gave the team the perfect start in the chase. Jaiswal scored 51 off 37 balls while Samson was retired hurt after scoring 31 off 19 balls.
Riyan Parag walked out at 3 after Samson was retired hurt and was sent back cheaply on just 8 off 11 balls. However, Rana combined with Jaiswal to post another valuable stand of 36 runs for the second wicket to keep RR on track. Rana smashed 51 off just 28 balls to put RR in a strong position.
At the time of his dismissal, RR needed only 28 runs to win off 14 balls. However, Jurel and Hetmyer failed to do enough, as some disciplined bowling from Starc took the game away from the visitors. RR suffered their fifth defeat of the season and are currently placed on the 8th spot on the points table with just two wins from seven matches.
