As another action-packed evening lit up IPL 2025, the Delhi crowd was treated to a nail-biting clash between the Delhi Capitals and the Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Amid all the thrills, one player’s bizarre last over captured the attention of fans and analysts alike.
The Rajasthan Royals bowler, Sandeep Sharma, delivered a marathon 11-ball over that has now placed him in an unwanted record alongside other Indian bowlers. This match, the 32nd of the IPL season, saw the Capitals batting first after losing the toss, ultimately posting a competitive total of 188 for 5.
Sharma's chaotic final over began with a wide ball, which was quickly followed by a dot. What followed was a sequence of four additional wides and a no-ball, leading to a total of 19 runs conceded in that over. The over was a significant turning point in the match as it allowed the Delhi Capitals to boost their total significantly after they had reached 169 runs at the end of the 19th over.
Joining the ranks of bowlers who have delivered the most balls in a single over in IPL history, Sandeep Sharma now sits alongside the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Tushar Deshpande, and Shardul Thakur. Siraj was the first to achieve this dubious milestone in 2023, while Deshpande and Thakur followed suit in the subsequent seasons.
In this match, the Capitals faced a shaky start, losing opener Jake Fraser-McGurk for just 9 runs and last match's hero Karun Nair, who was dismissed for a duck after just three balls. However, Abishek Porel brought some much-needed stability to the innings, top-scoring with 49 runs off 37 balls, just missing out on a half-century by one run.
KL Rahul contributed a steady 38 runs off 32 balls, while captain Axar Patel provided a late flourish with a quick-fire 34 runs off just 14 deliveries. Tristan Stubbs also played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten on 34 runs from 18 balls, helping the Capitals set a challenging target for the Royals.
Jofra Archer led the bowling attack for the Rajasthan Royals, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 32 in his four overs. However, it was the chaotic finish to the Capitals' innings that stole the show.
Interestingly, during the 19th over, the on-field umpire intervened to caution Royals captain and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson for standing too deep while keeping to Archer, which added a layer of drama to the proceedings.
As the match progressed, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats. The Capitals' total of 188 runs set a competitive benchmark, but the real story was the bizarre final over bowled by Sandeep Sharma.
Despite the mishaps in his last over, Sharma had bowled economically in his previous three overs, giving away just 14 runs. His unfortunate over not only dented the Royals' bowling figures but also highlighted the unpredictability of T20 cricket, especially in the death overs.
As the Rajasthan Royals began their innings, they faced a challenging task of chasing down the hefty target set by the Delhi Capitals. The match was still in progress as fans awaited to see if the Royals could overcome the deficit and secure a victory.
With the IPL season heating up, every match counts, and this encounter between the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals is no exception. The chaotic events of the last over will be talked about for weeks to come, as Sandeep Sharma's name joins the list of bowlers who have faced the pressure of bowling at the death in T20 cricket.
As the final moments of the match unfold, cricket enthusiasts are left wondering if the Royals can pull off a remarkable chase or if the Capitals will seal the deal with their strong total. One thing is for sure: the IPL never fails to deliver excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned as the action continues and the fate of the match hangs in the balance, with both teams vying for crucial points in this thrilling tournament.
