Delhi Capitals showcased an all-round masterclass to register a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second match of IPL 2025, climbing to the second spot on the points table.
Reflecting on the win, wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel hailed the collective team effort that powered Delhi to victory.
It was a great team effort and everyone made contributions. (Mitchell) Starc bowled really well, and then Faf (du Plessis) batted brilliantly. He’s been doing a great job for us. Jake Fraser-McGurk took his time but paced his innings superbly, and Tristan Stubbs provided a solid finishing touch. It all came together beautifully.
Starc's Fiery Spell and Kuldeep's Magic
Put to bat first, Sunrisers Hyderabad struggled against Delhi Capitals’ relentless bowling attack. Mitchell Starc was the star of the show, dismantling the opposition with a fifer, while Kuldeep Yadav weaved his spin magic to bag three crucial wickets. Their efforts restricted Sunrisers to a modest total of 163 in 18.4 overs.
Batters Shine in Chase
In response, Delhi Capitals’ top order dominated from the outset. Faf du Plessis led the charge with a blistering half-century, while Jake Fraser-McGurk anchored the innings with a composed 38 off 32 balls. Porel himself played a swift and unbeaten 34 off 18 balls, with KL Rahul (15 off 5) and Tristan Stubbs (21* off 14) adding crucial runs to ensure a smooth chase.
Captain Axar Patel Earns Praise
Porel also heaped praise on Axar Patel’s leadership, highlighting his balance of humour and determination.
Off the field, Axar is very funny and keeps the mood light. On the field, he is incredibly motivated and focused. He has been leading the side brilliantly.
Mentorship from KL Rahul
Sharing insights into his camaraderie with KL Rahul, Porel credited the veteran for his unwavering support.
KL Rahul has always been like an elder brother to me. When I dropped a catch, he consoled me and encouraged me to stay positive. He told me to focus on my batting and play my strokes. His backing meant a lot.
With two wins from two matches, Delhi Capitals will next face Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on April 5, 2025, aiming to continue their winning streak.
Brief Scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 163 all out in 18.4 overs (Aniket Verma 74, Heinrich Klaasen 32, Travis Head 22; Mitchell Starc 5-35, Kuldeep Yadav 3-22) lost to Delhi Capitals 166/3 in 16 overs (Faf du Plessis 50, Jake Fraser-McGurk 38, Abhishek Porel 34 not out; Zeeshan Ansari 3-42) by seven wickets
