Mitchell Starc’s Reverse Swing Masterclass Forces Super Over as DC Edge Past RR in Thriller
Mitchell Starc turned the game on its head with a death-over masterclass, executing pinpoint yorkers that forced a Super Over and sealed a dramatic win for Delhi Capitals over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.
Key Highlights:
DC vs RR Highlights: Delhi Capitals’ narrow victory over Rajasthan Royals in an IPL 2025 clash turned into an instant classic, thanks to a final-over masterclass from Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. With RR needing just 9 off the last over, Starc delivered a near-perfect sequence of yorkers to take the game to a Super Over — one that DC would go on to win.
What seemed like a sure-shot win for Rajasthan was ripped away in the span of six deliveries as Starc combined pinpoint execution, reverse swing, and tactical brilliance under pressure to flip the script.
Axar’s Call: Starc, and Nothing Else
It was during the 18th over, with Rajasthan Royals cruising towards the target, that DC skipper Axar Patel made the big call — Mitchell Starc would bowl the 20th over, regardless of what was left to defend.
With 14 runs leaked in the 19th by Mohit Sharma, the task became steeper: only 8 runs to defend, heavy dew, a wet old ball, and two set batters. But Axar stuck to his instinct.
“At that time, I was seeing only one option and that was Mitchell Starc,” Axar said. “To execute 12/12 yorkers — that’s why he’s a legend.”
Starc’s Super Over Setup: Yorker After Yorker
Starc’s first delivery was a deceptive slower one that clattered into Nitish Rana’s toe, reversing just in time to trap him LBW. A hint of saliva-induced swing and immaculate control caught even the well-set batter off guard.
From there, it was a sequence of near-unplayable yorkers:
- Two toe-crushers gave away just singles.
- Shimron Hetmyer squeezed one inside-edge for a boundary, a rare miss.
- Another yorker forced a miscue for two runs.
- Final two balls: A deep mid-wicket single, and a last-ball blockhole delivery that denied Dhruv Jurel the win. The runout attempt sealed a Super Over.
“You are getting the reverse swing, alright, but at that time, under-pressure, he executed so well,” Axar reflected.
Reverse Swing Resurrected with Saliva
One of the most notable aspects of Starc’s bowling was his use of saliva — now permitted again under revised ICC regulations — to extract late reverse swing.
Nitish Rana himself credited Starc’s command over the condition.
“The saliva use has made a lot of difference. In the last so many years we’ve never used saliva… now suddenly if someone executes 11 yorkers in 12 balls at 145 kmph, the credit has to go to Starc alone.”
This performance could mark a turning point in death bowling strategies, with saliva-based reverse swing making an impactful return to T20 cricket.
DC vs RR: Powerplay Pain, Death Over Redemption
Despite being DC’s most expensive bowler in the Powerplay this season — with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking him apart early — Starc has bounced back at the death with unmatched skill.
Mitchell Starc’s IPL 2025 Breakdown (By Overs Phase):
| Phase | Matches | Balls | Economy | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overs 1-6 | 6 | 78 | 11.84 | 4 | 38.5 | 19.5 |
| Overs 7-15 | 3 | 18 | 4.66 | 1 | 14.0 | 18.0 |
| Overs 16-20 | 5 | 34 | 8.82 | 5 | 10.0 | 6.8 |
Starc’s 5 wickets at the death and sub-7 strike rate make him one of the deadliest in the league in crunch moments.
Inside the Super Over: DC Hold Their Nerve
In the Super Over, DC batted first and posted 11 runs, thanks to Tristan Stubbs and Rishabh Pant. Starc, drained yet determined, was replaced by Khaleel Ahmed, who defended the target successfully as RR crumbled under pressure.
For Starc, the final over was the real Super Over.
“You can play that over 10 more times and get 10 different results. A bit of luck goes a long way,” he said, humble in victory.
What This Means for You
- For DC fans: Mitchell Starc’s performance was not just match-winning — it was season-defining. With death-bowling woes addressed, the Capitals are suddenly strong contenders.
- For IPL watchers: Expect more teams to turn to saliva-induced reverse swing in death overs — Starc may have ushered in a new/old trend.
- For analysts: The pressure-to-performance contrast in Starc’s PowerPlay and death-over numbers is a stat worth monitoring as the tournament progresses.
How to Take Action
- Fantasy players: Start prioritizing bowlers who bowl in death overs and can exploit reverse swing.
- Team strategists: Keep options open for late-overs bowlers who thrive under pressure, especially in dew-heavy night games.
- Viewers: Bookmark this game — it could be referenced as a clinic in T20 death bowling for years to come.
Starc the Saviour in DC’s IPL 2025 Push
DC vs RR highlights will be remembered for one thing — Mitchell Starc’s death-over wizardry. Amid the dew and daunting odds, he turned a game destined for loss into a Super Over showdown. With five out of his ten wickets coming at the death and a strike rate under 7 in those overs, Starc is proving why he remains one of the most feared fast bowlers in white-ball cricket.
The victory wasn’t just about points — it was about belief, execution, and rewriting what’s possible in the final over of a T20 match. And with that, Starc and DC have reignited their campaign.
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