Delhi Capitals' commanding performance secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. The star performers of the night were Faf Du Plessis, who played a breathtaking knock of 50 off just 27 balls, and Mitchell Starc, who wreaked havoc with his five-wicket haul. The Capitals chased down Hyderabad’s modest total of 163 in just 16 overs, marking their second consecutive win in the IPL.
Du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk Lay a Solid Foundation
Opening for Delhi, Du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk ensured a blazing start, setting the tone for an easy chase. Their 81-run partnership kept the scoreboard ticking and left no room for doubt regarding the outcome. While Du Plessis was in sublime touch, launching a stunning straight six off Pat Cummins, Fraser-McGurk struggled to find his timing. His exaggerated back-lift and an eagerness to clear the ropes often put him in trouble, but Du Plessis made sure to carry the innings forward.
Du Plessis' innings was a nostalgic reminder of his prime, as he reached his half-century in just 26 deliveries. In doing so, he became only the third batter over 40 to score a fifty in the IPL, joining the elite company of Adam Gilchrist and Chris Gayle. However, his impressive knock came to an end when debutant leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari dismissed him, with Wiaan Mulder taking a stunning running catch.
Zeeshan Ansari’s Eventful Spell
Ansari, a former India Under-19 World Cup squad member, quickly made his mark in his IPL debut. The 25-year-old spinner, who shared the U-19 dressing room with the likes of Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, struck again to remove both Fraser-McGurk and KL Rahul in quick succession. His figures of 3/42 momentarily gave Sunrisers a glimmer of hope, reducing Delhi to 115 for three in the 12th over. However, the chase was far from derailed.
Porel and Stubbs Seal the Victory
With a comfortable foundation laid, Abhishek Porel (34 not out off 18 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (21 not out off 14 balls) made sure there were no hiccups. Their unbroken 51-run stand for the fourth wicket saw Delhi Capitals cruise to victory, handing Sunrisers Hyderabad their second straight defeat in the tournament.
Sunrisers’ Struggles with the Bat
Earlier in the evening, Hyderabad’s batting unit failed to capitalize on a smooth pitch, despite a blistering 74 off 41 balls by Aniket Verma. His innings, decorated with five fours and six sixes, was the only major highlight for Sunrisers. However, excessive aggression and an exceptional spell by Mitchell Starc restricted them to a below-par total.
Their troubles started right from the powerplay, where they lost four wickets while scoring 58 runs. Abhishek Sharma fell victim to poor communication as Vipraj Nigam’s precise underarm throw found him short of the crease, despite Travis Head’s urgent call for a single.
Head himself did not last long either. Attempting to steer his Australian teammate Starc over the wicketkeeper, he only managed a faint edge to KL Rahul. This dismissal marked the sixth time Starc had removed Head in competitive cricket. In a devastating earlier over, Starc had already dismissed Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy, sending SRH into deep trouble at 25 for three.
Aniket Verma’s Lone Stand
Amidst the collapse, Aniket Verma took charge, anchoring the innings with a well-paced knock. He built a crucial 77-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 19 balls), momentarily reviving Hyderabad’s hopes. Verma smartly waited for the spinners to come into play and mercilessly took them on, particularly targeting Axar Patel, whom he hammered for four sixes.
The 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh was granted an early life when Porel dropped him on six off Axar, and he made the most of it, reaching his maiden IPL fifty in just 34 balls. His strike rate against spinners was an impressive 194, while he played the pacers slightly more cautiously, still maintaining a solid 148.
Starc’s Five-Wicket Brilliance
Despite Aniket’s heroics, Sunrisers struggled to maintain momentum. His dream of reaching a century was shattered when Fraser-McGurk’s athletic catch at the deep dismissed him off Kuldeep Yadav, who finished with figures of 3/22.
Mitchell Starc, however, was the real wrecker-in-chief. His spell of 5/34 dismantled the Hyderabad batting order, making it his most impactful performance of the tournament so far. His ability to generate pace and variations kept the opposition guessing, proving why he remains one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.
A Statement Win for Delhi Capitals
Delhi’s emphatic win reinforced their growing confidence in the tournament. With their second victory on the trot, they have started to establish themselves as strong contenders. While their batting unit, led by Du Plessis, showed composure and power, their bowling, spearheaded by Starc, ensured they never lost grip of the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, will have to go back to the drawing board. With two consecutive losses, their inconsistency in both batting and bowling needs immediate addressing. If they hope to turn their fortunes around, a more balanced approach will be crucial in the upcoming fixtures.
For now, though, the night belonged to Delhi Capitals, who delivered a resounding performance with both bat and ball, further solidifying their position in the league. The IPL continues to bring high-octane action, and with performances like these, the excitement is only set to rise!
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