In the 10th match of the IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals (DC) delivered a commanding performance, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. With this victory, DC secured their second consecutive win, while SRH continued to struggle with inconsistencies in both departments.
Toss and Team Strategies
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first. He expected his top-order batters to take advantage of the dry afternoon pitch and post a strong total. However, Delhi Capitals had other plans. With the ball swinging early and the pitch offering some bounce, Mitchell Starc set the tone for DC’s dominance.
SRH Batting: A Story of Missed Opportunities
SRH’s innings started in chaos. Abhishek Sharma ran himself out in the very first over due to a miscommunication with Travis Head. The early jitters continued when Ishan Kishan fell for just 2 runs and Nitish Kumar Reddy departed for a golden duck, both undone by Starc’s lethal pace in the third over.
With the scoreboard reading 20 for 3, SRH needed someone to anchor the innings. Aniket Verma, the 23-year-old debutant, rose to the occasion. He played with remarkable composure, scoring 74 off 41 deliveries. His innings included clean shots down the ground and clever placements against the spinners. Verma received support from Heinrich Klaasen, who added 31 off 17 balls with his trademark aggressive intent.
Despite Verma’s brilliance, SRH failed to build lasting partnerships. Delhi’s bowlers never allowed the middle and lower order to settle. SRH folded for 163 runs in just 18.4 overs—an underwhelming total given the early expectations.
DC Bowling Attack: Starc Steals the Show
Mitchell Starc delivered his best T20 performance in IPL 2025 so far. He removed key batters early and returned to claim wickets at the death, finishing with a career-best 5 for 35. He bowled with pace, precision, and aggression, making life miserable for SRH’s batters.
Kuldeep Yadav bowled a tight spell and picked up 3 wickets for just 22 runs. He used his variations smartly and broke partnerships just when SRH seemed to gain momentum. The DC bowlers never gave away easy runs and kept pressure on throughout the innings.
DC Batting: Clean, Controlled, Clinical
Chasing 164, Delhi Capitals started their innings aggressively. Faf du Plessis took charge and attacked the SRH pacers from the start. He scored a quickfire 50 off 27 balls, punishing anything loose and piercing gaps effortlessly. At the other end, young Jake Fraser-McGurk contributed 38 solid runs, showing maturity beyond his years.
The opening duo stitched together a strong partnership, laying the foundation for a smooth chase. Even after both openers departed, KL Rahul made an immediate impact. He scored 15 runs off just 4 balls, including a massive six that tilted the game heavily in DC’s favor.
Abhishek Porel, calm under pressure, guided the team home with an unbeaten 34 off 17 balls. He mixed power with placement and finished the match in style by launching a huge six over deep midwicket. DC reached the target in just 16 overs, sealing the win with authority.
SRH’s Bowling: One Bright Spark Amid Struggles
Zeeshan Ansari, SRH’s young leg-spinner, gave a glimpse of his potential. He picked up 3 wickets, including the crucial one of du Plessis, and looked sharp during his spell. However, SRH’s bowling unit lacked cohesion and penetration. They failed to contain runs or build pressure, allowing DC’s batters to dominate from start to finish.
Pat Cummins tried to rotate his bowlers smartly, but none, except Ansari, managed to threaten the DC lineup. Without early breakthroughs or tight middle overs, SRH struggled to defend a sub-par total.
Captain Reactions
Axar Patel, leading Delhi Capitals, praised the team’s all-round effort. He highlighted the importance of Mitchell Starc’s early wickets and the fearless batting approach. Patel emphasized the need to carry this momentum into the upcoming matches.
Pat Cummins admitted SRH underperformed, especially in the top order. He expressed disappointment over the lack of partnerships and stressed that the team must address these issues quickly to stay competitive in the league.
Key Takeaways
1. Mitchell Starc is Back in Top Gear:
Starc’s five-wicket haul turned the game decisively. His ability to swing the new ball and finish strong in the death overs makes him DC’s biggest bowling asset.
2. Faf du Plessis Anchors the Chase Brilliantly:
The veteran’s fluent half-century ensured a solid start. His leadership at the top allowed younger players like Fraser-McGurk and Porel to play with freedom.
3. SRH’s Top Order is Worrying:
Three early wickets in the powerplay again exposed SRH’s fragility at the top. Without strong starts, they continue to post below-par totals.
4. DC’s Balanced Side is Delivering:
With both experienced international stars and exciting youngsters performing consistently, Delhi Capitals look like one of the most balanced teams in IPL 2025.
5. SRH Needs Tactical Overhaul:
Sunrisers must reconsider their approach—starting with top-order changes and potentially boosting their bowling with more pace or experience.
Looking Ahead
Delhi Capitals now sit comfortably in the top four of the IPL 2025 points table. Their blend of experience and youth is working well. With bowlers in form and the batting unit clicking, they look like serious contenders for the playoffs.
On the other hand, SRH faces an uphill battle. If they wish to turn their season around, they must act swiftly. Their next fixture could determine their standing in the race for the top four.
For now, DC celebrates a clinical win, while SRH returns to the drawing board, hoping to fix their flaws before it’s too late.
