IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting falters once more as Mitch Starc and Faf du Plessis lead Delhi Capitals to a commanding victory.

In a thrilling encounter during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Delhi Capitals put on an outstanding performance to secure a dominant victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match, held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, was a display of exceptional bowling and disciplined batting, with Mitch Starc and Faf du Plessis playing pivotal roles in their team’s success. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, found themselves struggling yet again, particularly with their batting, leading to yet another disappointing defeat.

The Build-up to the Match

Delhi Capitals came into the match with a solid track record and confidence after a string of good performances earlier in the season. With the powerful duo of Mitch Starc, the Australian pacer known for his lethal pace, and Faf du Plessis, the ever-reliable South African batsman, they were expected to be formidable.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, had been inconsistent with the bat throughout the season, with key players failing to step up when required. Despite having some match-winning talents in their squad, including the likes of Aiden Markram and Harry Brook, they couldn’t manage to build partnerships that would challenge the opposition. The match against Delhi Capitals seemed like another uphill battle for Hyderabad as they sought to overcome their batting woes.

The Match: Delhi Capitals’ Dominance

Delhi’s Bowlers Set the Tone

Delhi Capitals’ bowlers made their mark right from the beginning. Mitch Starc, who has been a standout performer in the tournament, proved his worth with the ball. His pace and precision were too much for the Hyderabad batters to handle. Starc’s ability to extract bounce and swing in the early overs kept the Sunrisers on the back foot. The Australian pacer dismissed two key players in quick succession, leaving Hyderabad with a mountain to climb. His figures of 3/27 were a testament to his skill and dominance with the ball, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Delhi’s other bowlers, including Anrich Nortje and Kuldeep Yadav, also kept the pressure on. Nortje’s pace and Kuldeep’s sharp spin restricted Hyderabad to a low total. The Sunrisers found it difficult to get the ball off the square, with regular wickets falling at one end, which made it even harder for them to gain any momentum. The Delhi bowlers maintained tight lines, never allowing Hyderabad to settle into their rhythm, resulting in a poor total of just 145/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Faf du Plessis Leads the Charge

Chasing down a modest target of 146, Delhi Capitals made their intentions clear early on. Captain Faf du Plessis led from the front with an impeccable knock, guiding his team towards a comfortable victory. The South African, known for his calm demeanor and ability to anchor innings, found the gaps effortlessly and rotated the strike with ease. His 67-run performance, which included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression.

Du Plessis built an important partnership with Rishabh Pant, who provided the perfect support at the other end. Pant, though less flashy, played a crucial role in keeping the scoreboard ticking. The two combined for a 100-run stand, putting Delhi in an unassailable position and leaving Hyderabad’s bowlers scrambling for breakthroughs.

Hyderabad’s bowling attack, which had relied heavily on the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen, failed to break the partnership. Despite some tight overs and the occasional delivery of promise, they couldn’t find a way through Delhi’s formidable batting lineup. The lack of penetration from Hyderabad’s bowlers added to the frustration as Delhi cruised toward their target with relative ease.

Hyderabad’s Batting Troubles Persist

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the performance with the bat was once again disappointing. Their top order failed to capitalize on the early overs, with both openers falling cheaply. Aiden Markram, who had been one of their more reliable performers this season, could only manage a brief knock before he was dismissed by Starc. Harry Brook, another player with immense potential, struggled to get going and was dismissed for just 11 runs.

The middle-order collapse was swift and inevitable as the Delhi bowlers kept applying the pressure. Despite some late fireworks from Washington Sundar, the damage had already been done. Hyderabad’s inability to form partnerships, combined with the intensity of Delhi’s bowlers, meant that they could not get anywhere near the target.

A Hard Lesson for Hyderabad

This defeat for Sunrisers Hyderabad is another reminder of their batting inconsistency, a problem that has plagued them throughout the season. Their top-order woes need immediate attention, and with the tournament reaching its business end, they will need to find answers quickly if they are to stay in contention for a playoff spot. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals will take a lot of positives from this match, with Starc’s superb bowling display and du Plessis’ captaincy leading the way.

As the IPL 2025 season progresses, both teams will have to find their groove, but for now, it’s Delhi Capitals who can bask in the glory of a resounding victory, while Sunrisers Hyderabad must regroup and rework their strategy.