In a nail-biting encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals triumphed over Rajasthan Royals in the first Super Over of IPL 2025. With the match going down to the wire, the Capitals emerged victorious, solidifying their position at the top of the league table.
Delhi Capitals, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and set a competitive target of 188 runs. The innings was anchored by Abishek Porel, who scored a vital 49 runs, while KL Rahul contributed 38 runs. Captain Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs added crucial late runs, scoring 34 off 14 balls and 34 off 18 balls, respectively, helping the team finish at 188 for 5 in their 20 overs. Jofra Archer was the standout bowler for Rajasthan, taking 2 wickets for 32 runs.
Rajasthan Royals started their chase with a promising partnership between skipper Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who put together a 61-run opening stand. Jaiswal went on to notch his third half-century of the season, scoring 51 runs off 37 balls before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. However, the Royals faced a setback when Samson had to retire hurt, which shifted the momentum.
Nitish Rana also made a significant contribution with a quick-fire 51 runs off just 28 balls, but his dismissal by Mitchell Starc in the 18th over proved crucial. Dhruv Jurel's efforts to guide the Royals home fell short when he was run out on the final ball, leaving Rajasthan needing 12 runs in the Super Over.
In the Super Over, Rajasthan Royals batted first but could only manage 11 runs, largely due to brilliant bowling by Mitchell Starc and a couple of costly run-outs. Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer were the first two batters for Rajasthan, but the pressure of the situation was evident as they struggled to find their rhythm. Parag hit a boundary off the second ball, but the Royals' run-out woes continued, leaving them with a modest target for the Capitals to chase.
When it was Delhi's turn to bat in the Super Over, they needed to chase down the 12-run target. KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs walked out to the crease, ready to seal the game for their team. The tension was palpable as Sandeep Sharma bowled for Rajasthan. Rahul started the attack with a crucial boundary off the second ball, setting the tone for the chase.
Stubbs then showcased his power-hitting abilities, smashing the very next ball for a massive six over midwicket, sealing the victory for Delhi Capitals in just four balls. The Capitals finished their Super Over chase with ease, demonstrating their composure under pressure.
This thrilling win marks Delhi's fifth victory in six matches this season, propelling them to the top of the IPL 2025 standings with 10 points. In contrast, Rajasthan Royals continue to struggle, suffering their fifth defeat in seven matches, leaving them with much to ponder as they look to turn their season around.
Next up, the Delhi Capitals are set to play the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Meanwhile, Rajasthan will face the Lucknow Super Giants on the same day at their home ground in Jaipur. Both teams will be eager to capitalize on their upcoming matches as the league progresses.
