IPL2025 : Starc picks 5 as SRH self destruct & lose by 7 wkts to Delhi Capitals

 

Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of new captain Axar Patel, continue their dominant run in IPL 2025. After securing a thrilling last-over victory in their opening match, Delhi registered their second consecutive win. In a one-sided contest at Visakhapatnam, they crushed last season’s finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad, by seven wickets. The star of this victory was Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who, at the age of 35, dismantled Hyderabad’s explosive batting lineup with a five-wicket haul. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Faf du Plessis played a blistering knock, smashing a half-century to make light work of the 164-run target.

Starc's Fiery Spell Dismantles SRH, But Aniket Shines

Playing their second match at their alternate home ground in Visakhapatnam, Delhi built on their narrow one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants with a resounding victory. Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss on Sunday, March 30, and opted to bat first. However, their innings fell apart early, thanks to the brilliance of veteran pacer Mitchell Starc.

The collapse began in the very first over when Abhishek Sharma (1) was run out. From there, Hyderabad struggled to recover. Starc struck in his second over, dismissing Ishan Kishan (1) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (0). He then returned in his third over to send the dangerous looking Travis Head (22) back to the pavilion, leaving Hyderabad in deep trouble at 4 wickets down within the first five overs.

Despite the early setbacks, young batter Aniket Verma and experienced campaigner Heinrich Klaasen (32) counter-attacked, taking the team past the 100-run mark in just 10 overs. However, Vipraj took a stunning catch to remove Klaasen, triggering another collapse. Aniket (74 off 41 balls) fought valiantly, registering his maiden IPL half-century, but lacked support from the other end.

Starc (5/35) capped off his stellar performance by picking up two more wickets in his final over, securing his first-ever five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. Hyderabad failed to bat out their full quota of overs and were bowled out for 163 in the 19th over. Kuldeep Yadav also played a crucial role, bagging three wickets.

Du Plessis' Blazing Fifty, Rahul and Porel Finish in Style

On a batting-friendly Visakhapatnam pitch, Sunrisers needed their bowlers to replicate Starc’s brilliance in the powerplay to defend the modest target. However, while Starc had rattled Hyderabad with the ball, 40-year-old opener Faf du Plessis provided Delhi with a powerful start.

Delhi capitalized on a steady powerplay, scoring 52 runs in the first six overs without losing a wicket—six runs fewer than Hyderabad but in a much stronger position. Du Plessis continued his onslaught post-powerplay, reaching a rapid fifty off just 26 balls.

His opening partner, young Jake Fraser-McGurk (38), initially struggled but soon found his rhythm. By the 10th over, Delhi had reached 96 for no loss. However, young spinner Zeeshan Ansari, making his IPL debut, turned the game momentarily in Sunrisers' favor by dismissing both set batters in the same over.

KL Rahul, playing his first match for Delhi, smashed 15 runs off just five balls but fell to Zeeshan as well. However, Abishek Porel (34*) and Tristan Stubbs (21*) ensured there were no further hiccups. Their unbeaten 51-run stand off just 28 balls sealed Delhi’s victory in 16 overs, completing yet another dominant performance.

Mitchell Starc for his 5 wickets was declared the player of the match