Visakhapatnam, Mar 30 (PTI) – The IPL showdown between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC) had its fair share of fireworks, but ultimately, the Hyderabad franchise found themselves on the receiving end of some fierce bowling magic by Mitchell Starc. Despite Aniket Verma’s scintillating knock of 74 off just 41 balls, SRH crumbled under pressure and settled for an underwhelming 163 all out.
Power Play Woes: A Nightmare Start for SRH
Pat Cummins, leading the Sunrisers, opted to bat first on what looked like a batting-friendly pitch. However, things quickly spiraled out of control as SRH lost four wickets within the Power Play. The early collapse, despite a quick start, meant that their innings never truly gathered momentum. They managed to score 58 runs in the first six overs, but at a heavy price.
One of the most dramatic moments in the powerplay came when Abhishek Sharma misjudged a single. Travis Head’s call for a quick run was ignored initially, and by the time Abhishek took off, Vipraj Nigam’s sharp underarm throw had already done the damage, leaving him well short of the crease. If that wasn’t enough, Head himself didn’t last long either. Attempting to ramp his Aussie teammate Mitchell Starc over the keeper, he only managed to edge it into KL Rahul’s safe hands. That marked the sixth time Starc had dismissed Head across all professional formats!
Starc’s Fireworks: A Five-Wicket Rampage
Starc was on absolute fire, making life miserable for the SRH batting lineup. In just his third over, he struck twice, removing both Ishan Kishan (2) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (0) in quick succession. Kishan’s attempt to cut a rapid delivery ended in a straightforward catch to Tristan Stubbs at deep backward point, while Nitish’s mistimed pull on an off-cutter gifted Axar Patel an easy catch at mid-on. By the time the dust settled, SRH were reeling at 25 for three, and the hopes of a solid total were already slipping away.
Aniket Verma’s Fightback: A Lone Warrior
Amidst the chaos, one man stood tall—Aniket Verma. The young right-hander, playing just his fourth IPL match, showed remarkable composure and counter-attacked with a stunning 74 off 41 balls. His calculated aggression was a masterclass in pacing an innings on a decent batting surface.
Partnering with Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 19), Aniket stitched together a crucial 77-run stand that gave SRH some much-needed stability. He took full advantage when the spinners came into play, with Axar Patel particularly bearing the brunt of his onslaught. Aniket smashed Axar for four sixes, making him his prime target in the middle overs.
The 22-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, who had an early reprieve when Abhishek Porel dropped him on six off Axar, made full use of the opportunity. He reached his fifty off just 34 balls, his maiden half-century in the IPL, and continued playing with flair. Against the spinners, he maintained a blistering strike rate of 194, while against pacers, he was relatively cautious but still managed a healthy 148.
A Stunning Catch Ends Aniket’s Heroics
Just when it seemed like Aniket might go on to script a fairytale century, his innings came to an abrupt end. Jake Fraser-McGurk pulled off a breathtaking catch in the deep off Kuldeep Yadav, showcasing DC’s brilliant fielding efforts on the night. His dismissal not only ended a potential century bid but also dashed SRH’s hopes of reaching a competitive total.
From that point onward, it was a downward spiral for the Sunrisers. The lower middle order failed to capitalize, and wickets kept tumbling. Adding insult to injury, Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis chipped in with jaw-dropping catches towards the end, ensuring there was no late recovery for SRH.
Final Verdict: A Total Below Par?
At one stage, thanks to Aniket’s heroics, SRH looked good for a score well past 180. But losing wickets in clusters and failing to provide solid support for their standout performer meant they settled for 163 all out. Given the quality of DC’s batting lineup and the form of their key players, it looked like a below-par score.
While SRH may have started their innings with aggression, it was Mitchell Starc’s devastating spell (5/34) that ensured they never fully recovered. The night belonged to the Aussie speedster, whose fiery bowling dismantled the Sunrisers and left them with an uphill battle to defend their modest total.
With this performance, Starc once again reminded the cricketing world why he remains one of the most lethal bowlers in the shortest format. As for SRH, they will need to rethink their approach, especially in handling pressure during the Power Play.
Will 163 be enough? Only time will tell! But one thing’s for sure—this IPL season continues to bring drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments on the field!
Login