NEW DELHI: In hassle? Name Mitchell Starc. That’s precisely what Axar Patel did when issues acquired tense. With simply 9 runs to defend within the ultimate over, he turned to his strike bowler — and Starc delivered.
Yorker after yorker, Starc saved the strain excessive and the followers on edge. Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer managed to outlive the warmth however couldn’t discover the boundaries wanted. The match resulted in an exciting tie, pushing the competition into the primary Tremendous Over of IPL 2025.
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Starc returned for the Tremendous Over, taking the ball as soon as once more with ice in his veins. Rajasthan Royals managed simply 11 runs, setting Delhi Capitals a goal of 12.
Enter KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, with Sandeep Sharma bowling.
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Rahul began with a pair, adopted it up with a crisp boundary, and handed over the strike after a single. Stubbs wanted no second invitation — he launched Sandeep into the stands, sealing a dramatic win for Delhi Capitals.
It was their first win at residence this season, and it took them proper again to the highest of the desk. Because the gamers celebrated, the ‘Dilli re, Roar Macha!’ anthem echoed by the Kotla — an ideal finish to a pulsating evening of cricket.
SANDEEP FAILED FROM ‘BOTH ENDS’
Rigidity was palpable within the Rajasthan Royals dugout. Sanju Samson wore a pissed off look behind the stumps as Sandeep Sharma — one in every of their most trusted bowlers on the loss of life — misplaced his rhythm when it mattered probably the most. Tasked with bowling the ultimate over, Sandeep’s six authorized deliveries stretched right into a chaotic 11-ball over: Wd 0 Wd Wd Wd N1 4 6 1 1 1 — a uncommon meltdown from the often dependable pacer.
Delhi Capitals completed their innings at 188/5, and the temper of their camp was upbeat. Smiles lit up their dugout, with gamers clearly happy with what regarded like a aggressive complete.
Opener Abishek Porel, who set the tone early with the bat, sounded assured within the mid-innings chat with the broadcasters.
“The plan was to go arduous within the powerplay which might make it simpler in a while. In the event you bowl slower, it’s useful on this wicket and hopefully our bowlers do properly. An excellent complete on this wicket,” he mentioned.
However Rajasthan Royals had different concepts.
They got here out all weapons blazing, dismantling Delhi’s bowling assault from the outset. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with a brisk 51, whereas Sanju Samson, earlier than retiring damage on 31, ensured the momentum stayed firmly in Rajasthan’s nook.
After which got here Nitish Rana, who performed a surprising knock of 51 off 28 balls to present a giant residence however star pacer Starc pulled issues again in Delhi’s favour.
When the match headed right into a Tremendous Over, Sandeep discovered himself within the highlight as soon as once more — an opportunity at redemption after a forgettable ultimate over.
However strain mounted, and historical past repeated itself.
Sandeep struggled to carry his nerve, failing to use any actual strain. Delhi Capitals chased down the goal in simply 4 deliveries, sealing a memorable win and leaving Sandeep with one other powerful outing to mirror on.
KL RAHUL MANIA
“Bhaiya, plain t-shirt hai ya kissi participant ke naam wali jersey?” — a curious fan requested a t-shirt vendor stationed outdoors the Arun Jaitley Stadium, simply an hour and a half earlier than the Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals conflict.
The vendor replied, “Sirf KL Rahul ki hai.” One fan purchased it. Then one other. Quickly, a line of keen prospects shaped, every asking for various sizes, as the excitement round KL Rahul gripped the scene outdoors the stadium.
Apparently, the jersey bore the Delhi Capitals colors, however had “KL Rahul” and the quantity 01 printed on the again — a curious sight, but a transparent signal of the mania surrounding the star batter.
Contained in the Kotla, it was a vibrant sea of blue and pink.
The ambiance reached a crescendo when the stadium DJ dropped the “Dilli re, Roar Macha!” anthem — and proper on cue, KL Rahul cleared his entrance leg to ship a slot ball from Tushar Deshpande hovering over long-off. The gang erupted.
Rahul’s knock was entertaining, albeit not blistering. He scored 38 runs off 32 deliveries earlier than falling to Jofra Archer — notably, the primary time Archer managed to dismiss Rahul in IPL historical past.
And he confirmed his composure within the Tremendous Over too, delivering beneath strain and giving followers a deal with to observe.
AXAR’S FIRST WICKET OF IPL 2025
“We maybe acquired too informal within the center part,” admitted Axar Patel after Delhi Capitals’ unbeaten run was halted by Mumbai Indians of their earlier outing.
Earlier than the conflict towards Rajasthan Royals, a fast look at Axar’s IPL 2025 stats painted a worrying image: 67 runs, 0 wickets in 5 matches — removed from the affect anticipated from the captain and star allrounder.
Trolled closely for throwing his wicket away towards Mumbai, Axar walked out to a mixture of strain and expectation. However amidst loud chants of “Bapu! Bapu!” echoing across the Kotla, he responded like a real chief — smashing a fiery 34 off simply 14 balls, laced with 4 boundaries and two sixes.
The gang, nevertheless, erupted when he made an affect with the ball. Coming in simply when his workforce wanted a breakthrough, Axar cleaned up Riyan Parag for 8 — his first wicket of IPL 2025. The dismissal got here at an important juncture, particularly after Sanju Samson needed to retire damage on 31.
Axar had lastly delivered with each bat and ball — and the Kotla devoted made certain he knew it.
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