The wait was finally over for IPL fans as the much-anticipated thrill of a super over electrified the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 16, 2025. In a heart-pounding clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), the match culminated in a tie, setting the stage for a dramatic super over that had fans on the edge of their seats.
At the heart of this spectacle was Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace maestro, whose heroics turned the tide in DC’s favor, delivering a performance that will be remembered as one of the defining moments of IPL 2025. This feature article delves into Starc’s pivotal role in both the regular innings and the super over, offering a detailed analysis of his performance, supported by statistics and insights from the match.
DC and RR was a battle of two formidable teams. DC, batting first, posted a challenging total of 188/5 in 20 overs, powered by Abishek Porel’s 49 off 37 balls, KL Rahul’s 38 off 32, Axar Patel’s explosive 34 off 14, and Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 34 off 18. RR, in response, matched DC’s total with 188/4, thanks to half-centuries from Nitish Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The match’s climax came in the final over, where Starc’s composure forced a super over, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Mitchell Starc’s Performance in the Regular Overs: Setting the Tone
Mitchell Starc, acquired by DC for a staggering INR 11.75 crore ahead of IPL 2025, lived up to his billing as one of the most feared bowlers in the world. In the regular overs, Starc bowled a disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 1/36 in 4 overs. His most critical contribution came in the final over of RR’s innings, where he defended 9 runs with ice-cold composure. Restricting RR to just 8 runs in that over, Starc ensured the game went into a super over, keeping DC’s hopes alive.
Starc’s wicket in the regular overs was that of Nitish Rana, who was dismissed with a pinpoint yorker—a delivery that has become Starc’s signature weapon. His ability to bowl yorkers under pressure, especially in the death overs, was on full display, as he consistently hit the blockhole and made it difficult for RR’s batsmen to score freely. With RR needing two runs off the last ball, Dhruv Jurel’s flick to deep midwicket resulted in a run-out, thanks to Axar Patel’s sharp fielding, but it was Starc’s tight bowling that set up the opportunity.
The Super Over: Starc’s Masterclass Under Pressure
The super over was where Starc truly shone, turning the game on its head with a combination of skill, strategy, and a touch of luck. RR, batting first in the super over, sent out Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag —a decision that raised eyebrows, including Starc’s. “It was a bit of a surprise to see left-handers come in with my angle as the ball was tailing back in,” Starc later remarked. Despite the unconventional strategy, Starc adapted brilliantly.
Key Moments in the Super Over
- Bowling Figures: Starc conceded 11 runs over five deliveries but managed to restrict RR through a combination of tight bowling and fielding brilliance. His deliveries were mostly yorkers, which troubled the RR batsmen and led to two crucial run-outs.
- Run-Outs: The over saw run-outs of Riyan Parag, followed by Jaiswal, which proved decisive in keeping RR’s total to 11.
- Controversial No-Ball: On the fourth delivery, a low full toss to Riyan Parag was initially ruled a no-ball due to a siren. Replays confirmed that Starc’s rear foot had only touched, not crossed, the return crease, making it a legal delivery.
DC, chasing 12 runs to win, achieved the target with KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs at the crease. Stubbs sealed the victory with a six off Sandeep Sharma on the fourth delivery, but it was Starc’s earlier heroics that set the foundation for this triumph.
Last-over Drama: Ice-cool Starc takes DC into Super Over 🧊🤩
🎥🔽 Relive the superb final over! | #TATAIPL | #DCvRR | @DelhiCapitals
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2025
Mitchell Starc’s Statistical Analysis
Mitchell Starc’s performance in IPL 2025 has been nothing short of exceptional, and the DC vs RR match was a testament to his prowess. Below is a detailed breakdown of his stats:
| Category | Details |
| Overall IPL 2025 Stats | Matches: 6, Wickets: 10, Best Bowling: 5/35 (vs SRH), Economy: 10.06 |
| DC vs RR Match Stats | Regular Overs: 4 overs, 1/36 (Nitish Rana), Super Over: 5 deliveries, 11 runs, 2 run-outs |
| Player of the Match | Awarded for his match-defining performance in regular overs and super over |
Starc’s ability to take wickets in crucial moments and his effectiveness in high-pressure situations have made him a cornerstone of DC’s bowling attack. His best performance of the season came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he took 5/35, marking his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket.
Head-to-Head Against RR
Starc has a strong record against RR, with notable performances in previous IPL seasons. For instance, in 2015, while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he took 3/22 against RR, dismissing key batsmen like Steven Smith and Stuart Binny. His ability to deliver in big moments against RR was evident once again in 2025, cementing his reputation as a big-match player.
The Controversial No-Ball: A Moment of Drama
One of the talking points of the super over was a controversial no-ball call on Starc’s fourth delivery to Riyan Parag. Initially ruled a no-ball due to a siren, replays showed that Starc’s rear foot had only touched, not crossed, the return crease. According to the IPL rulebook, “The bowler’s back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery.” This clarification came after much debate, with former cricketer Simon Doull commenting, “I don’t think it’s a no-ball. You’re allowed to touch the line”.
Post Match Interview: Mitchell Starc
The incident added to the drama of the match but did not detract from Starc’s overall impact. His composure after the no-ball call was commendable, as he continued to bowl with precision and aggression, ensuring RR could not capitalize.
Mitchell Starc’s Surprise at RR’s Strategy
Post-match, Starc expressed surprise at RR’s decision to send left-handed batter against him in the super over, a strategy reportedly influenced by RR coach Rahul Dravid. “It was a bit of a surprise to see left-handers come in with my angle as the ball was tailing back in. Got one wrong there with the side-line no-ball, but we had the batting depth then to chase that down,” Starc said. He noted that he faced challenges only against right-handed Riyan Parag, suggesting that RR’s strategy of using left-handers did not yield the desired results.
Mitchell Starc’s comments highlight his tactical acumen and confidence in his bowling strengths. His ability to exploit angles, particularly with the ball tailing back into left-handers, created significant pressure, leading to the run-outs that swung the super over in DC’s favor.
The Role of Reverse Swing
A notable aspect of Starc’s performance was his effective use of reverse swing, which was evident as early as the fifth over of RR’s innings. The IPL 2025 season has seen a resurgence of reverse swing, attributed to the legalization of saliva, with experts like Mohit Sharma noting its impact in 70% of games. Starc capitalized on this, swinging the ball late in the game to trouble RR’s batsmen, particularly in the death overs and super over.
Mitchell Starc’s performance in the DC vs RR match was nothing short of heroic. From defending 9 runs in the final over to restricting RR in the super over and facilitating crucial run-outs, Starc’s contributions were pivotal. His ability to stay calm under pressure, combined with his lethal yorkers and strategic bowling, turned the tide in DC’s favor.
This match will be remembered as a defining moment in IPL 2025, not just for DC’s first win at their home turf but also for Mitchell Starc’s masterclass. As DC continues their campaign, they will lean heavily on Starc’s shoulders, knowing that when the chips are down, he can deliver the unthinkable. His performance against RR reaffirms his status as one of the greatest fast bowlers of his generation, and his legacy in the IPL continues to grow.
Also Read: DC vs RR : Mitchell Starc Confused With RR Went With Two Lefty Batters In Super Over