Mitchell Starc’s Brilliance Guides DC to Big Win

The Delhi Capitals (DC) were successful in keeping their position within the IPL 2025 season, winning seven wickets over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Visakhapatnam. The match saw a few remarkable performances, with Mitchell Starc in the spotlight with his pleasant bowling attack. While Aniket Verma performed a heroic knock for SRH, it wasn’t enough to save them from their 2nd consecutive defeat.

Here are some of the match highlights and key moments that described this interesting clash with data considered from the IPL data reference.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Explosive Start Turns Sour

SRH won the toss, and considering the conditions of the pitch, they decided to bat first. The team was losing their hands on the game while Abhishek Sharma’s game turned into a run out within the first over. Ishan Kishan came after.

With pressure all over, all eyes were on Travis Head, who started with great hitting against Mitchell Starc with fours. But Starc surprised everyone by dismissing Head in his third over with a well-directed quick ball. KL Rahul took a sharp catch at the back of the stumps, lowering SRH to 37/4 in only 5 overs.

The early fall apart put SRH in a difficult spot, but they weren’t prepared to give up simply.

Aniket Verma and Heinrich Klaasen Lead the Recovery

Even during the struggle, Aniket Verma stepped up with a lovely counterattack. The 23-year-old, playing simply his fourth T20 match, confirmed why SRH had faith in him. He performed with confidence, smashing five fours and six towering sixes in his 41-ball 74.

Aniket and Heinrich Klaasen got along very well, and collectively, they made an essential 77-run partnership off just 40 deliveries. Klaasen was performing well; however, his promising innings were cut short by Mohit Sharma, who discovered help from Vipraj Nigam’s amazing catch at one point.

Aniket continued his game; however, he didn’t get the required support from the batting order. SRH looked for a larger overall; however, a fall apart inside the very last overs changed the entire game.

Kuldeep and Starc Restrict SRH’s Total

Just as SRH was thinking that the match could be in their favor, the spinners of the opponent team took control. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Abhinav Manohar and Pat Cummins with sharp deliveries, making sure that SRH could not have a chance to win.

Aniket tried to keep the game alive as much as possible by smashing Axar Patel for two continuous sixes. But his strength came to an end while Fraser-McGurk and Axar Patel pulled off beautiful catches.

As a result, SRH could score just 163 with their playing 11, leaving eight deliveries unused. It became a disappointing end to what could have been a far bigger total.

Faf du Plessis Sets the Tone for the Chase

Chasing 164, Delhi Capitals were given off to a dream begin; way to go, Faf du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk. The experienced South African batter played with elegance, finding gaps without difficulty. His 26-ball half-century set the foundation for a smooth chase.

On the other hand, Fraser-McGurk struggled to find his way but made sure the scoreboard kept increasing. Together, the duo put on an 81-run partnership that took the pressure off the middle order.

Despite the solid start, DC had lost a few wickets, thanks to Zeeshan Ansari’s brilliant work.

Zeeshan Ansari Strikes Back on T20 Return

Making his return to T20 cricket after six years, Zeeshan Ansari reminded everybody of his ability. Though he started with some short deliveries, he quickly adjusted and collected 3 crucial wickets.

First, he dismissed Faf du Plessis, then Fraser-McGurk with a catch, and KL Rahul with a direct wicket.

These wickets gave SRH a hope to win, but it came too late.

Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs Finish in Style

After the mini-collapse, Delhi Capitals wished for a person to keep the innings. Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs did exactly that, adding an unbeaten 51-run partnership in just 28 balls.

Porel played a few stylish hits, even as Stubbs’s strikes were great. Their calculated method made sure that DC reached the goal in just 16 overs.

Mitchell Starc’s Five-Wicket Haul Steals the Show

While DC’s batting was great,  the real fit-winner became Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer ripped SRH’s batting lineup, picking up his first-ever 5-wicket haul in T20s. His potential to bowl with tempo and accuracy proved an excessive amount for SRH’s top order.

Starc’s early breakthroughs and regular pressure made it nearly possible for SRH to submit a high total. His match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award, turning his name into one of the most dangerous bowlers for the upcoming matches.

Key Takeaways from the Match

Mitchell Starc’s Dominance—His 5 for 35 set the tone for DC’s win.

Aniket Verma’s Fighting Knock— An exceptional 74 off 41 balls gives a good rise to the total.

DC’s strong opening partnership—Faf du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk—laid a solid basis.

Zeeshan Ansari’s Return—The leg spinner made an outstanding comeback with three key wickets.

SRH’s Struggles with Consistency— Two back-to-back losses suggest they want to rethink their strategy.

With this victory, Delhi Capitals keep themselves strong, leading in the 2nd position in IPL 2025. Their bowling method, led by Starc and Kuldeep, appears powerful at the same time as the batting team is clicking at the right time.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, with just one win and two losses, they currently stand in the 8th place. They need to strike a balance between the bat and the ball.

As the season keeps moving forward, many more dramas will surely take place. Will SRH improve, or will DC continue to win the streak? We’ll discover quickly! You can watch this season live on Spinmatch.