The Indian Premier League Match No. 32 between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, ended in a tie and proceeded for a Super Over, marking the first of IPL 2025. The match was a thrilling encounter that showcased the intense competition of this year's tournament.
Delhi Capitals, batting first, managed a competitive total of 188 runs for the loss of five wickets. Abishek Porel was the standout performer for Delhi, scoring 49 runs, while late flourishes from Tristan Stubbs and captain Axar Patel helped boost the total. Stubbs contributed an unbeaten 34 runs off just 18 balls, which proved crucial in the latter stages of the innings.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals, chasing a target of 189, faced a challenging situation when their captain Sanju Samson had to retire hurt after scoring 31 runs off 19 balls due to a suspected side injury. Despite this setback, the Royals kept their hopes alive with solid performances from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana, both scoring fifties. Jaiswal hit 51 runs off 37 balls, while Rana scored 51 off 28 deliveries.
As the match reached its climax, Rajasthan needed nine runs from the final over, but Delhi's ace pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a brilliant performance, conceding only eight runs and forcing the match into a Super Over. Starc's exceptional bowling included a series of pinpoint yorkers that left the Rajasthan batsmen struggling.
In the Super Over, Rajasthan batted first and managed to score 11 runs for the loss of two wickets, thanks to a couple of boundaries but also suffering from two crucial run-outs. Delhi Capitals, needing 12 runs to win, chased down the target with two balls to spare. Tristan Stubbs played a key role again, hitting a six off Sandeep Sharma that sealed the victory for Delhi, marking their fifth win of the season and propelling them to the top of the points table.
This thrilling match was the first tie of the IPL 2025 season and added to the excitement surrounding the tournament. Prior to this encounter, only 14 matches in IPL history had ended without a decisive winner after 40 overs, making this event a memorable one for fans and players alike.
Delhi Capitals' success in the Super Over was particularly significant as it highlighted their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The last Super Over in IPL occurred four years ago in 2021 when Delhi faced Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the Capitals emerged victorious then as well.
As the tournament progresses, Delhi Capitals will look to maintain their form and continue their winning streak. The team has shown remarkable consistency, with this match being their fifth victory in six games, while Rajasthan Royals will need to regroup and address their inconsistencies if they hope to challenge for the title.
With the IPL 2025 season heating up, fans can expect more thrilling matches ahead as teams vie for the coveted championship. The stakes are high, and every match counts as the competition intensifies.
