They say T20 matches can turn in the space of a few overs, but on Sunday, Mitchell Starc produced one over that completely changed the game on its head. Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets, but the victory may not have been possible had Starc not stepped up at the crucial moment. Without Starc, the Capitals could already have been knocked out of the competition, left to play only for pride for the remainder of the tournament.
With the Royals blazing along at 160 for two in 14 overs, they looked well on course to reach a total in the region of 240. Instead, they failed to even cross the 200-run mark, eventually managing only 193 for eight. The man responsible for that dramatic turnaround was Starc, who broke the Royals’ back by taking three wickets in the 15th over. That spell completely derailed Rajasthan’s innings, leaving them with little chance of recovering.
Starc finished with superb figures of 4-0-40-4 and was deservedly named Player of the Match. Having played enough cricket at the highest level, stepping up in moments of crisis has almost become second nature to him. He has done it time and again for Australia, played a massive role in helping Kolkata Knight Riders win the IPL title in 2024, and is now once again showcasing his class for the Capitals.
DC vs RR: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
HOW MITCHELL STARC ROCKED THE ROYALS
When Riyan Parag took Mukesh Kumar for 23 runs in the 12th over, scoring runs looked far too easy for the Royals. However, Starc pulled things back brilliantly for the Capitals, with Rajasthan managing only 33 runs in the last six overs while losing six wickets in the process.
The 15th over began with Dhruv Jurel collecting a single to deep midwicket, but what followed was pure destruction. On the very next delivery, Starc removed the dangerous Parag, who had smashed 51 off just 26 balls. Starc cleverly rolled his fingers over an off-speed delivery, forcing Parag into a mistimed slog that was brilliantly caught by Axar Patel running in from long-on.
The carnage continued immediately as Donovan Ferreira walked in and departed for a golden duck. Starc banged in a short-of-length delivery outside off, Ferreira attempted an ambitious heave first ball, but once again Axar Patel completed the catch in the deep.
Although Ravi Singh denied Starc a hat-trick with a boundary through midwicket, the Australian had the final word. Slipping in another slower delivery, Starc trapped Ravi Singh plumb lbw as HawkEye confirmed three reds.
In the space of six balls, Starc broke a threatening 72-run partnership and completely derailed Rajasthan’s innings. Later, Starc also went on to dismiss Dasun Shanaka, who had come in as an Impact Sub and was more than capable of providing the Royals with a brisk finish.
GAVASKAR IMPRESSED WITH STARC
Starc also impressed the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who praised the pacer for striking at the most crucial phase of the innings rather than focusing purely on wicket count. Gavaskar highlighted how Starc’s over completely halted the Royals’ momentum, pushing them firmly onto the back foot after they had looked set for a massive total.
“What’s more important is that he was able to restrict Rajasthan Royals to fewer runs at the back end of the innings. How big a difference is that? I think it’s not about the number of wickets you take, but the stage of the match at which you take them,” Gavaskar told the broadcasters after the match.
“Wickets are always important, especially in the powerplay when you can pick up a couple early and stop the opposition from getting off to a flying start. But towards the end, if the batting side is already well set at two or three wickets down and you come in during the 14th, 17th or 19th over and pick up wickets, that’s where they really matter.
“And Starc did exactly that. Three wickets in one over literally pushed Rajasthan completely on the back foot, you could say all the way back to the sightscreen,” Gavaskar added.
Starc missed the first eight games of the season, yet he is only one wicket behind DC’s leading wicket-takers, Axar Patel and Lungi Ngidi, who both have 10 wickets apiece. With nine wickets from five matches, the Capitals will need Starc to continue delivering when they face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 24.
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