On March 30, 2025, the IPL 2025 witnessed a thrilling encounter at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, where Delhi Capitals (DC) faced Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 10th match of the tournament. The match, played under the afternoon sun, saw Mitchell Starc deliver a performance that not only decimated SRH but also underscored his reputation as one of the most fearsome left-arm fast bowler in the game.
Match Context
The match began with SRH captain Pat Cummins winning the toss and electing to bat first, a decision that seemed strategic given their recent form. However, this choice backfired as Starc’s early onslaught set the tone. DC, led by new captain Axar Patel, were coming off a thrilling one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants, and the inclusion of KL Rahul, making his debut for DC, added firepower to their lineup. The stadium, known for its batting-friendly conditions, was set for a high-scoring affair, but Starc had other plans.
Mitchell Starc’s Spell: A Masterclass in Pace and Variation
Mitchell Starc, acquired by DC for INR 11.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, justified his price tag with a spell that can only be described as lethal. His figures of 3.4-0-35-5 marked his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, eclipsing his previous best of 4-15 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Kings XI Punjab in 2015. The breakdown of his performance is detailed in the following table:
| Over | Wicket Taken | Mode of Dismissal | Impact |
| 2.1 | Ishan Kishan | Caught at deep third, slashing a short ball | SRH 20-2 |
| 2.3 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Heaved and off-cutter to mid-on | SRH 25-3 |
| 4.1 | Travis Head | Caught by KL Rahul, gloving a short ball | SRH 37-4 in poweplay |
| 18.2 | Harshal Patel | Caught by Axar Patel, diving effort | Late wicket, SRH faltering 162-9 |
| 18.4 | Wiaan Mulder | Caught by Faf du Plessis, another diving catch | Completed five wicket haul for SRH all out 163 |
Starc’s spell was particularly devastating in the powerplay, where he took 3 wickets for 33 runs, mostly bowling short or short of good length to disrupt SRH’s aggressive openers. His ability to adapt was evident when he dismissed Head, opting not to bowl full, a tactic he later explained in post-match comments, saying, “I’ve played long enough, so I know what to do. Gotta think outside the box, even as an older player you have to bowl different balls.”
Mitchell Starc’s Five 🔥 🖐️
His fiery spell of 5️⃣/3️⃣5️⃣, helped him bag the Player of the Match award in #DCvSRH clash 🏆
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ #TATAIPL | @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/3uqvYrOgy6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025
Key Moments and Dismissals
The match’s turning point came early with Starc’s triple strike in the powerplay. After Abhishek Sharma was run out in the first over, Starc struck in his first over, dismissing Kishan with a short ball that the batter slashed to deep third. Two balls later, Reddy, playing at home, fell to an off-cutter, heaving to mid-on. The dismissal of Head in the 4.1st over was particularly satisfying for Starc, as he got his Australian teammate for the sixth time in T20 cricket, with Head gloving a short ball to Rahul. Starc’s dominance, with Head managing just 18 runs off 34 balls against him since 2015.
Starc’s final over was a thriller, as he returned to complete his five-for. With SRH at 162-9, he dismissed Patel and Mulder in quick succession, aided by superb diving catches from Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis, respectively. This effort restricted SRH to their lowest total of the season, 163 all out in 18.4 overs, despite Verma’s valiant 74 off 41 balls, which included five fours and six sixes.
DC’s Chase and Match Outcome
DC’s chase was a stroll in the park, with Faf du Plessis smashing a 27-ball fifty and KL Rahul contributing significantly. The team reached 164-3 in just 16 overs, winning by seven wickets with four overs to spare. This victory marked DC’s second win in Visakhapatnam, propelling them to second spot in the IPL 2025 table, while SRH faced their second consecutive loss, highlighting the impact of Starc’s spell.
Post-Match Reflections and Starc’s Comments
In the post-match presentation, Starc reflected on his performance, saying, “Been a good day. All round, we were fantastic. I don’t think there are too many egos in T20 cricket, you have to hang for dear life.” He also joked about Head, stating, “I think that’s why he doesn’t face the first ball anymore,” referring to their frequent encounters. Starc emphasized his enjoyment of the game, noting, “I haven’t played too much T20 cricket. I am an older one, I now have the chance to talk the younger ones. I still enjoy my cricket, that’s why I am still playing.”
Mitchel Starc’s post match interview WATCH here: IPL 2025 M10: DC vs SRH – Mitchell Starc Interview
This match underscored DC’s bowling strength, with Starc’s spell complemented by Kuldeep Yadav’s 3-22. For SRH, the loss highlighted vulnerabilities in their batting against quality pace, especially after their high-scoring exploits in previous seasons. The result has significant implications for the points table, with DC gaining momentum and SRH needing to regroup for their next fixtures.
Mitchell Starc’s performance on March 30, 2025, was a defining moment in IPL 2025, showcasing his ability to dominate in high-pressure games. His spell not only decimated SRH but also set a benchmark for DC’s campaign, proving that their investment in the Australian pacer was well worth it. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Starc to see if he can maintain this form and lead DC to further victories.