DC vs SRH: Delhi Capitals Clinch 7-Wicket Victory as Starc’s 5 Wicket and Du Plessis’ 50 Steal the Show

DC vs SRH: In a masterclass of precision bowling and aggressive batting, the Delhi Capitals (DC) dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets in Match 10 of IPL 2025, chasing down a modest target of 164 with 24 balls to spare. Mitchell Starc’s career-best 5/35 and Faf du Plessis’ blistering 50 off 27 balls headlined a performance that underscored DC’s credentials as title contenders, propelling them to second place in the points table .

Starc’s Fiery Spell Decimates SRH

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The match swung decisively in DC’s favor during SRH’s innings, as Mitchell Starc unleashed a devastating spell. The Australian left-armer struck early, dismissing Travis Head (22 off 12) for the sixth time in T20s, exploiting Head’s vulnerability to pace and swing. Starc’s powerplay dominance reduced SRH to 37/4 by the fifth over, with Abhishek Sharma (run out for 1), Ishan Kishan (8 off 6), and Nitish Reddy (3 off 5) falling in quick succession .

Kuldeep Yadav complemented Starc’s aggression with guile, claiming 3/22. His dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 19)—caught by Vipraj Nigam in a gravity-defying backward sprint—halted SRH’s recovery after a 77-run partnership between Klaasen and Aniket Verma . Verma’s valiant 74 off 41 balls, marked by six sixes and five fours, was the lone highlight for SRH, but his dismissal to a stunning catch by Jake Fraser-McGurk at deep midwicket sealed their collapse to 163 all out in 18.4 overs .

DC’s Batting Masterclass: Du Plessis and Porel Shine

Chasing 164, DC’s openers Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk (38 off 32) launched a blistering 81-run partnership. Du Plessis, playing his first game as DC captain, showcased vintage form, striking three sixes and three fours en route to a 26-ball fifty. His assault included a 106-meter six off Mohammed Shami and a lofted drive over cover against Pat Cummins, setting the tone for the chase .

Despite Zeeshan Ansari’s dream debut (3/42), which saw him remove du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk in quick succession, DC’s middle order held firm. Abishek Porel (34* off 18) and Tristan Stubbs (21* off 14) sealed the win with an unbroken 51-run stand, highlighted by Porel’s match-winning six off Wiaan Mulder . KL Rahul, returning from paternity leave, added flair with a cameo of 15 off 5 balls, including a six and two fours, before falling to Ansari’s leg-spin .

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SRH’s Struggles: Batting Collapse and Bowling Inconsistencies

SRH’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly. Their reliance on the “Travishek” duo (Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma) crumbled early, with Head’s dismissal triggering a top-order collapse. While Verma’s 74—featuring audacious sixes off Axar Patel and Kuldeep—offered respite, SRH’s lower order folded under pressure, losing their last six wickets for 49 runs .

Bowling-wise, SRH’s Pat Cummins (0/27 in 2 overs) and Mohammed Shami (0/31 in 3 overs) struggled for rhythm. Ansari’s three wickets came at a cost of 10.5 runs per over, reflecting SRH’s inability to contain DC’s batters during the powerplay, where DC raced to 68/1 .

Tactical Takeaways and Post-Match Reactions

DC’s Bowling Depth: Starc’s early strikes and Kuldeep’s middle-over control suffocated SRH. Mohit Sharma (1/34) and Axar Patel (0/43) tightened the screws in the death overs .
Impact Subs: SRH’s Adam Zampa (0/41) failed to replicate Ansari’s impact, while DC’s Mukesh Kumar (2-0-12) delivered a frugal spell as a substitute .

Axar Patel, DC’s stand-in captain, praised Starc’s spell as the “game-changer,” while SRH’s Pat Cummins rued early wickets: “Losing Head and Sharma in the powerplay cost us momentum” .

Historical Context and Venue Dynamics

SRH historically lead the head-to-head (13-11), but DC’s familiarity with Visakhapatnam—their temporary home—proved decisive. The ACA-VDCA Stadium’s batting-friendly pitch (first-innings average: 210+ in IPL 2025) favored DC’s aggressive approach, with dew-free afternoon conditions aiding spinners later .

Looking Ahead

With two consecutive wins, DC face Gujarat Titans next, aiming to sustain momentum. SRH, languishing with one win in three games, must address batting fragility before clashing with Kolkata Knight Riders. As IPL 2025 intensifies, DC’s balanced squad and SRH’s quest for consistency will shape their playoff trajectories .

Final Word

Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul and Faf du Plessis’ leadership epitomized DC’s dominance, while Aniket Verma’s breakout innings offered SRH a silver lining. In a league where momentum is king, DC’s clinical all-round performance signals their title intent, while SRH’s struggles underscore the fine margins of T20 cricket.

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