On a sun-drenched Sunday in Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression, dismantling Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets with 24 balls to spare in the 10th match of IPL 2025Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. The win wasn’t just about the scoreline—it was a statement. And it all started with a bowling performance that sent shockwaves through the league: Mitchell Aaron Starc, the 34-year-old Australian quick, ripped through SRH’s top order for a career-first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket—4-0-27-5. But the real story? The return of KL Rahul, the 32-year-old Indian opener, from paternity leave, stepping into the middle like he’d never left.
SRH’s Collapse: Aggression Backfires
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and, breaking the IPL 2025 trend of chasing, chose to bat. It looked like a bold call—until it wasn’t. Their innings unraveled in a cascade of wickets. Aniket Verma (74 off 41) provided fleeting hope with a blistering knock, but the rest of the batting order imploded under pressure. The first wicket fell at 81, when Faf du Plessis (40) holed out. Then came Jake Fraser-McGurk (22), the 22-year-old Australian explosive, dismissed for 22 in the 10th over. The partnership that had looked dangerous—81 runs between du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk—was gone in a flash.Even KL Rahul, who was supposed to be batting for SRH, was dismissed in the 11th over—only because he’d already switched sides. The irony wasn’t lost on fans. SRH’s total of 163 in 18.4 overs felt like a failure. Captain James Patrick Cummins admitted afterward: "A collapse like this happens with the high-risk approach we take." And yet, with three games into the season, this was their second below-par total. Their gamble had backfired.
Starc’s Masterclass: The Night the Bowler Owned the Game
If SRH’s batting was chaotic, DC’s bowling was surgical. Starc didn’t just take wickets—he broke spirits. His first over, the 12th of the innings, had Abishek Porel caught behind. The next over, he trapped Tristan Stubbs lbw with a searing inswinger. By the 17th over, he had claimed his fifth—Wiaan Mulder feathering a delivery through to the keeper. His economy rate of 6.75? Unheard of in today’s T20 era."He didn’t just bowl fast—he bowled smart," said one commentator. "Every ball had a plan. He knew when to go full, when to hold back. That’s why he’s one of the best in the world."
Starc’s figures weren’t just the best of the match—they were the best by any bowler in IPL 2025 so far. And for a man who’s taken over 100 ODI wickets but never five in T20s? It was a personal milestone. The crowd rose to their feet. Even the SRH players stood still on the boundary, watching.
KL Rahul: The Anchor Who Returned to Silence Doubts
While Starc stole the headlines, Rahul quietly rebuilt the innings. Coming off a three-week break after the birth of his child, he was under immense pressure—not just from fans, but from his own team. DC had lost their first match of the season and needed him to stabilize. He didn’t just stabilize—he anchored. His 54 off 42 balls was calm, calculated, and crucial. He faced 34 balls before hitting his first boundary. When the score read 81 for 2, he was still there. When it hit 120 for 3, he was still there. And when the target was in sight, he let the hitters—Axar Patel, Riyan Parag—do the damage."He’s the perfect centerpiece," said DC coach Ricky Ponting in the post-match presser. "Surround him with hitters, and he becomes the quiet force that makes them lethal. He doesn’t need to hit sixes. He just needs to be there."
His return wasn’t just a cricketing win—it was a human one. Fans cheered louder when he walked out than when he hit his fourth boundary. He didn’t celebrate wildly. He just nodded, smiled, and kept playing.
What This Means for the IPL 2025 Race
This win lifted Delhi Capitals to second place in the table, with two wins in two games. They’ve now chased down 210 against Lucknow and 163 here—both at the same venue. Their balance is becoming terrifying: explosive finishers, a calm anchor, and now, a bowler who can single-handedly win games.Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad are in trouble. Two below-par totals in three games. Their top order, once feared, now looks fragile. Cummins’ decision to bat first? A gamble that hasn’t paid off. And with the pitch in Visakhapatnam offering something for both batsmen and bowlers, their lack of depth is becoming a liability.
"They’re playing like they’re trying to win in the first 10 overs," said former India captain Rahul Dravid on ESPN. "But T20 doesn’t work like that anymore. You need stability, not just fireworks."
What’s Next?
Delhi Capitals face Mumbai Indians next in Delhi on April 3. Starc’s confidence will be sky-high. Rahul’s rhythm? Already back. And with the middle order firing, they look like genuine title contenders.Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, head to Bengaluru with a crisis on their hands. Can they fix their top order before the next match? Or will Cummins be forced to rethink his entire strategy?
Match Snapshot
- SRH total: 163 all out in 18.4 overs
- DC chase: 166/3 in 16.0 overs
- Player of the Match: Mitchell Aaron Starc (5/27)
- Key partnership: 81-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk (SRH)
- Key dismissal: KL Rahul caught off Wiaan Mulder (SRH) — ironically, the same man who later got out to Starc
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi Capitals win despite Sunrisers Hyderabad having a strong top order?
SRH’s top order—Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk—did post a solid 81-run partnership, but their middle order collapsed under pressure from Starc and Axar Patel. Delhi’s bowling attack exploited the lack of depth, and SRH’s reliance on big-hitters without anchors led to a below-par total. DC, by contrast, had KL Rahul anchoring the chase, allowing the finishers to accelerate without risk.
How significant is Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul in T20 cricket?
It’s historic. Starc had never taken five wickets in a T20 match before—despite playing over 100 international T20s. His 5/27 is the best bowling figure by any overseas player in IPL 2025 and the first five-for by an Australian in the league since 2018. It also marks the first time a bowler has taken five wickets while conceding under 30 runs in a match this season.
Why was KL Rahul’s return from paternity leave such a big deal?
Rahul had been away for three weeks after the birth of his child, and many wondered if he’d lose his form. But his calm 54 off 42 balls—facing 34 balls before hitting his first boundary—showed he hadn’t lost his touch. More importantly, his presence stabilized a team that had been overly reliant on power-hitters. His return gave DC a balanced core, which proved decisive in a high-pressure chase.
Why did Sunrisers Hyderabad choose to bat first when everyone else was chasing?
It was a bold deviation from the IPL 2025 trend, where teams winning the toss had opted to chase in all previous nine matches. SRH captain Pat Cummins believed the pitch would slow down later and that setting a target would pressure DC. But the pitch remained consistent, and DC’s disciplined chase exposed SRH’s lack of middle-order resilience. The gamble backfired, and now SRH must rethink their strategy.
What does this result mean for Delhi Capitals’ title chances?
It’s a major boost. With two wins from two matches, DC now have the best start in the league. Starc’s form, Rahul’s return, and the aggressive yet balanced middle order make them one of the most complete teams. If they maintain this momentum, they’ll be among the top favorites to lift the trophy—especially with their home advantage in Delhi next.
Was the pitch in Visakhapatnam a factor in the result?
Yes. The Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium pitch offered early swing and later turned slightly, aiding both pacers and spinners. But it didn’t favor one side overwhelmingly—so the result came down to execution. SRH couldn’t handle Starc’s pace, while DC’s batters adapted better to the conditions. The pitch didn’t decide the match—it revealed who played smarter.