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DC vs RR Today Match Results: Mitchell Starc pulled off a heist for Delhi Capitals as they eked out a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals after a nerve-wracking super over, which was the first in the ongoing season, at the Arun Jaitley stadium on April 16.
Delhi Capitals eke out a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals in Super Over Drama
While chasing a target of 189 runs, DC were left with just 9 runs in the last over to win the game. But Mitchell Starc had different plans as he conceded just 8 runs off the last over which pushed the match to the Super Over. DC restricted RR to just 11 runs in the Super Over contest which the Axar Patel's brigade chased down with two balls to spare.
This dramatic encounter also marked the 15th Super Over in the history of the IPL and the first such instance since the 2021 edition of the lucrative T20 tournament. The victory in this thrilling Super Over allowed DC to bounce back and regain their position at the summit of the points table, displacing the GT. On the other hand, RR suffered their third consecutive defeat, leaving them in a precarious eighth position in the standings.
DC will next face Gujarat Titans on April 19 while RR will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants on the same date.
Abishek Porel's 49 steers DC to 188-run total
Earlier, DC managed to post a formidable total of 188/5 against RR, thanks to a steady innings of 49 from Abishek Porel and a dynamic late cameo by their captain, Axar Patel.
The innings saw Porel and KL Rahul (38) establish a strong base with a 63-run partnership. Later, Axar's rapidfire 34 off just 13 balls, coupled with an unbeaten quickfire 34 from Tristan Stubbs (off 18 balls), provided the crucial impetus at the end. This was an innings where the momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams.
Interestingly, this marked the first instance since 2023 that an IPL game in New Delhi did not witness a score exceeding 200. On a sluggish pitch that significantly aided slower deliveries and caused the ball to stop unexpectedly at times, the Rajasthan Royals' bowlers performed commendably, effectively restricting the Delhi Capitals to 111/4 after 15 overs.
After being asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals opener Jake Fraser-McGurk started aggressively, hitting Jofra Archer for two boundaries in the very first over. Abhishek Porel continued this momentum in the subsequent over bowled by Tushar Deshpande, scoring 23 runs with four boundaries and a six, a standout shot being a wristy flick that sailed over the deep-backward square-leg boundary.
However, Rajasthan Royals quickly retaliated. Archer's pace hurried Fraser-McGurk, leading to a simple catch at mid-off. This breakthrough resulted in another wicket for RR as Karun Nair was run out for a duck due to a mix-up with Porel, with Sandeep Sharma's underarm throw completing the dismissal.
With Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana bowling tight lines and lengths, Delhi Capitals were restricted to 46/2 at the end of the powerplay, the only respite being a full toss from Theekshana that KL Rahul dispatched for a boundary. Following the powerplay, Rajasthan Royals maintained control, with Wanindu Hasaranga proving particularly effective by varying his pace and extracting turn, especially with his googly.
Axar Patel then initiated a change in tempo, hitting Hasaranga for two fours and a six through pulls, powerful hits, and slogs. In the 16th over, Tristan Stubbs was dropped by Riyan Parag at long-off, resulting in a 19-run over. 1 Axar continued his aggressive approach against Theekshana, hitting a full toss for a six with a sweep across the line, followed by a slice and a swivel that yielded consecutive boundaries.
Axar Patel's aggressive intent was evident as he attacked Wanindu Hasaranga, scoring two boundaries and a six through a combination of pulls, powerful shots, and slogs. In the 16th over, Tristan Stubbs received a reprieve when Riyan Parag dropped him at long-off, contributing to a 19-run over. Axar continued his onslaught, pulling a full toss from Maheesh Theekshana for a six and then following up with a slice and a swivel that resulted in two consecutive boundaries.
However, Theekshana eventually had the last word, dismissing Axar who holed out to long-off after a quickfire 34 off just 14 deliveries. Ashutosh Sharma effectively utilized Jofra Archer's pace, guiding the ball for two boundaries behind square on the off-side, while Tristan Stubbs also capitalized with a well-executed scoop for another boundary, resulting in 16 runs from the 19th over.
In the final over, bowled by Sandeep Sharma, Tristan Stubbs took Delhi Capitals past the 180-run mark with a whipped boundary and a slogged six, despite Sandeep bowling four wides and a no-ball. Stubbs was then dropped by Theekshana on the very last ball of the innings, concluding a productive 11-ball final over that yielded 19 runs.
Rajasthan Royals chase
Rajasthan Royals began their innings strongly, accumulating an impressive 63 runs during the powerplay. However, their early momentum was disrupted when their captain, Sanju Samson, was compelled to retire hurt. In the final over of the powerplay, delivered by Vipraj Nigam, Samson appeared to experience discomfort in his left rib area. Despite receiving medical attention from the team's physiotherapist, he was unable to continue batting.
Prior to his injury, Samson was in excellent form, scoring a quick 31 runs off just 19 balls and establishing a solid foundation for the Royals' run chase. Riyan Parag came in as his replacement but failed to make a significant contribution, falling to Axar Patel for a low score. The onus then shifted to Nitish Rana and Dhruv Jurel to steer RR towards victory.
Nitish Rana adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, reaching his half-century in a mere 26 deliveries. Together with Jurel, they reduced the required runs to 31 from the final three overs. Delhi Capitals also faced an injury concern when Kuldeep Yadav seemed to hurt his bowling shoulder while diving to prevent a boundary at fine leg.
Mitchell Starc, Man of the Hour
The crucial 49-run partnership was broken by Mitchell Starc, who dismissed Rana for a well-played 51 off 28 balls. Starc bowled a tight over, conceding only eight runs and thereby increasing the pressure on the Royals. With 23 runs needed from the last two overs, Mohit Sharma's 19th over went for 14 runs, including a towering six hit straight down the ground by Dhruv Jurel.
With nine runs required for victory in the final over, bowled by Mitchell Starc, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel were at the crease for the Royals. Despite their determined efforts, with Jurel ultimately scoring 29 and Hetmyer contributing 15, the Royals could only manage to tie the scores, forcing the match into a Super Over.
In the Super Over, Rajasthan Royals could only muster a total of 11 runs. Mitchell Starc commenced with a searing yorker that Shimron Hetmyer failed to connect with. However, Hetmyer responded on the subsequent delivery, powerfully hitting a boundary over mid-wicket.
Starc then regained his composure, conceding just a single on the third ball. He attempted a wide yorker on the fourth delivery, but Riyan Parag cleverly guided it for a boundary through third man by opening the face of his bat. Starc's troubles compounded when replays indicated that his back foot had encroached beyond the return crease, resulting in a no-ball.
On the ensuing free hit, Starc redeemed himself by running out Parag at the non-striker's end. Another moment of brilliance followed when Jake Fraser-McGurk's accurate throw led to Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out. Consequently, Rajasthan Royals were unable to even complete their allotted six deliveries in the Super Over.
Chasing the target in the Super Over, KL Rahul began Delhi Capitals' innings with a couple of scrambled runs, despite a precise delivery from Sandeep Sharma. On the second ball, Rahul created room and sliced a slower short delivery over point for a boundary. Sandeep Sharma responded effectively, conceding only a single on the third ball.
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