IPL 2025: Mitchell Starc’s masterclass helps Delhi Capitals sink Sunrisers Hyderabad

Dubai: Mitchell Starc is known for his raw pace, but on Sunday, it was patience and adaptability that earned him a career-first T20 five-wicket haul. The Australian quick set aside ego, embraced unpredictability, and dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad to power Delhi Capitals to a dominant win in Visakhapatnam.

Starc returned figures of 5-35 as Delhi bowled out Hyderabad for 163 in 18.4 overs. South African veteran Faf du Plessis then smashed 50 off 27 balls and put on 81 runs for the first wicket with Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who hit 38, as Delhi chased down the target with four overs and seven wickets to spare.

Hyderabad’s innings started poorly as Abhishek Sharma was run out for one after a mix-up with fellow opener Travis Head.

Starc then struck twice in one over, removing Ishan Kishan and Nitish Reddy, before dismissing Head for 22 as Hyderabad slumped to 37-4 in 4.1 overs.

“I’ve played for long enough, so I know what to do against Head. Gotta think outside the box — even as an older player, you have to bowl different balls. Glad that worked out. It’s great to get into a new, young group and form new relationships with guys you haven’t played with,” Starc said.

Indian batter Aniket Verma, who top-scored with 74, and South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen put on an attacking stand of 77 in an attempt to rebuild the innings.

Delhi, under new skipper Axar Patel, have revamped their squad in pursuit of their first IPL title, bringing in England great Kevin Pietersen as mentor.

“You have to be ready for every match — all ten teams have come to play well. Our focus was solely on ourselves, not SRH. Thought I’d bowl two of Starc upfront, but he got three early, and I knew SRH were attacking, so he was given the third over, and that worked out,” Axar said. “Experience is beneficial. Two or three players have led the franchise too — they give suggestions. I take what I want, but they’re given a free hand.”

Du Plessis fell after his half-century to Indian leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who initially took a beating from Fraser-McGurk but struck back with two wickets in the same over.

Ansari later bowled KL Rahul round his legs before Abhishek Porel (34) and Tristan Stubbs (21) steered Delhi home in an unbeaten stand of 51.

Hyderabad may have suffered back-to-back losses, but Cummins remains unfazed. “We’ve had a few run-outs and tough moments, but just a couple of tweaks could change things.” With glimpses of brilliance from players like Aniket Verma, SRH will be looking to bounce back fast before the season slips away.