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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) failed to replicate his IPL 2025's campaign opener performance in their previous two matches as they suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vizag on March 30. SRH set the bar high with their incredible 286-run performance against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their first match of the IPL 2025. However, their momentum has since taken a dip, as they've now suffered two consecutive defeats. The most recent one came against DC. The Men in Orange were bowled out for a total of just 163 runs in 18.4 overs, and the Capitals chased down that target comfortably with seven wickets and four overs to spare.
Pat Cummins unfazed by SRH's back-to-back defeats in IPL 2025
Despite SRH's back-to-back jolts, their captain Pat Cummins isn't hitting the panic button just yet.
"We didn't get going, didn't get a score on the board. A few wrong shots, but catches in the deep does happen in this format of the game. I don't think it's a big margin, on another day, you get going with a couple of shots, not everything went our way in the last two games, we can look back and think about different options. Coming into the tournament, everyone was super impressed with him going into the lead-up to the tournament (on Aniket Verma), was fantastic and gave us half a chance, was impressive with the way he went about things (during the net sessions and practice games). It's too early to worry about being two down, hopefully we'll get back going forward, as I said, we need to have a look at a few of our options," Cummins said in the post-match presentation.
Talking about the match, chasing a target of 164, DC's opening pair Faf du Plessis (50 off 27) and Jake Fraser McGurk (38 off 32) started cautiously, carefully playing out the first over against the in-form Mohammed Shami.
However, the shackles were soon broken in the second over when McGurk unleashed a powerful slog sweep off Abhishek Sharma, sending the ball soaring over long-on for a six. Having sensed an opportunity, the explosive duo of du Plessis and McGurk went on the attack, determined to make the most of the powerplay and put pressure on the Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling attack. Faf du Plessis took the lead in scoring, punishing Mohammed Shami with his classic and effective stroke play. He started the third over with a magnificent six and followed it up with two consecutive boundaries, taking a total of 15 runs from the over.
The scoring continued in bursts, and by the end of the powerplay, DC had accumulated a solid 52 runs. Faf du Plessis maintained his aggressive intent, immediately hitting Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins for a six and then a four right after the powerplay overs concluded. Faf du Plessis reached his half-century with a quick single and celebrated the milestone, but his joy was short-lived as he was dismissed in the very next over by Zeeshan Ansari. Despite this setback, Jake Fraser McGurk continued the aggressive approach, smashing a flurry of boundaries to ensure the over ended positively for DC.
Following Faf du Plessis's dismissal, Jake Fraser McGurk initially misjudged a googly from Ansari, but managed to get off the mark with a boundary courtesy of an inside edge on the very next delivery. He then found the boundary again, elegantly carving the ball through backward point. To finish the over with a flourish, he powerfully dispatched the ball over long-off for a six.
However, Ansari had the final say in the over, cleverly deceiving the Australian batsman and getting him to chip the ball back for an easy caught and bowled. McGurk's somewhat shaky but impactful innings came to an end with a score of 38 off 32 balls.
Next in was KL Rahul, who briefly displayed his boundary-hitting prowess before his innings was cut short. Attempting a sweep shot, he missed the ball, which then went on to clip the bails, giving Ansari his second wicket of the day. Rahul departed for 15 runs.
Despite picking up wickets in quick succession, Hyderabad's bowlers were still under pressure as Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porel took charge and attacked the bowling. Porel sealed the victory in style, swinging his bat powerfully to send the ball over the boundary for a maximum, securing a comfortable 7-wicket win for DC.
DC will next take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 5 at the MA Chidambaram stadium.
