Key Highlights:
In what turned out to be a night of mixed fortunes for Delhi Capitals, Mitchell Starc, their marquee overseas signing, endured a moment to forget at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during their IPL 2025 clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The left-arm pacer, known for his lethal yorkers and deadly pace, was hammered for 30 runs in a single over, making him only the second bowler in DC’s IPL history to concede 30+ runs in an over.
The Over That Changed the Numbers
It was Starc’s second over — the third of RCB’s innings — that became one of the most expensive in IPL 2025 so far:
- Salt smashed a six over long-on on the first ball
- Followed it up with three consecutive fours, the third of which came off a no ball
- On the free hit, Salt went big again, hitting a massive six
- Took a single on the fifth ball
- Virat Kohli, who had watched from the other end, punished the final delivery with a four
Total: 30 runs in one over — a statistic Starc will want to erase from memory.
An Unwanted Club: Starc Joins Nortje
Before Thursday, the only Delhi Capitals bowler to have conceded 30+ runs in an over was Anrich Nortje. The South African pacer, now part of KKR, was hammered for 32 runs by Romario Shepherd in the 2024 IPL season at Wankhede Stadium.
Starc now joins Nortje in an exclusive and unwanted list — a far cry from the match-winning spells fans are accustomed to seeing from the Aussie.
Starc’s Final Figures and Overall Performance
Despite the costly over, Mitchell Starc continued to bowl for two more overs and ended with figures of:
- 3 overs
- 35 runs conceded
- 0 wickets
While he kept the damage in check after the onslaught, the early attack had already set the tone for a blistering RCB powerplay.
RCB’s Aggression vs Starc’s Precision: A Battle Lost
The battle between RCB’s power hitters and Starc’s precision ended firmly in the hosts’ favor:
- Phil Salt (37 off 17) led the assault with fearless strokeplay
- Virat Kohli (22 off 16) provided ideal support before falling later to Vipraj Nigam
- The duo’s combined effort contributed to RCB’s explosive 61/0 in five overs
But that momentum faded quickly as DC fought back with timely breakthroughs, restricting RCB to 117/6 before Tim David’s late cameo.
What This Means for Starc and DC
For Delhi Capitals, this match highlights both opportunity and concern:
Positives:
- Still defending totals with balance
- Emerging performers like Vipraj Nigam making key breakthroughs
Concerns:
- Starc’s economy under pressure on smaller grounds like Chinnaswamy
- Lack of control in the early overs despite his experience
As the league progresses, the Axar Patel-led unit will need their lead pacer to regain rhythm, especially against explosive top orders.
How to Take Action: DC’s Tactical Adjustments
To avoid such blowouts in future matches, Delhi Capitals may consider:
- Rotating pacers more carefully on shorter grounds
- Deploying Starc in middle overs to avoid powerplay exposure
- Using spinners early to reduce initial damage
- Reconsidering bowling plans for players like Phil Salt, known for quick starts
Mitchell Starc’s Moment to Reflect, Reset, and Rebound
Mitchell Starc, a veteran with years of international excellence, has faced setbacks before — and always bounced back stronger. While Thursday’s over may have etched his name into an unfortunate chapter of DC’s IPL history, it also sets the stage for redemption.
With IPL 2025 still in full swing, Starc will have more chances to silence the doubters, recalibrate his bowling strategies, and deliver the match-winning spells that made him one of cricket’s most feared pacers.
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