The IPL 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 16, 2025, was a nail-biter, culminating in the season’s first Super Over Thriller. With the match tied at 188, RR’s decision to send Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, instead of in-form Nitish Rana, sparked debate. Experts like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ian Bishop questioned the move, while RR’s Nitish Rana defended it. This article dives into the Super Over drama, analyses RR’s batting choice.
The Match That Led to the Super Over
The game was a rollercoaster. DC, batting first, posted 188/5, thanks to Abishek Porel’s 49, KL Rahul’s 38, and late fireworks from Axar Patel (34 off 14) and Tristan Stubbs (34* off 18). RR’s chase was powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 51 and Nitish Rana’s 51 off 28, but Mitchell Starc’s sensational final over, defending nine runs, forced a tie. Starc’s yorkers restricted RR to 188/4, setting the stage for a thrilling Super Over like in the Zimbabwe Series.
Key Performances
DC’s innings relied on Porel’s steady start and a 41-run blitz in 19 balls from Patel and Stubbs. RR’s chase saw Jaiswal and Sanju Samson (31, retired hurt) race to 63/1 in six overs. Rana’s aggressive 51 kept RR in the hunt, but Starc’s 18th over, dismissing Rana lbw, shifted momentum. The table below summarises key stats:
|
Team |
Runs |
Key Batters |
Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
DC |
188/5 |
Porel (49), Stubbs (34*), Patel (34) |
Starc (1/36), Axar (1/23) |
|
RR |
188/4 |
Jaiswal (51), Rana (51) |
Archer (2/32) |
The Super Over: RR’s Controversial Choice
In the Super Over, RR sent Hetmyer and Parag to face Starc, with Jaiswal as the third batter. Starc conceded 11 runs, but two run-outs—Parag on the fourth ball and Jaiswal on the fifth—ended RR’s innings early. DC chased 12 in four balls, with Rahul scoring a double and a four, and Stubbs sealing it with a six off Sandeep Sharma.
Pujara and Bishop criticised RR’s decision to overlook Rana, who had smashed 51 off 28 in regular play. Pujara argued Jaiswal should have opened due to his strong record against Starc (26 runs off 15 balls in T20S without dismissal). Bishop favoured Rana’s “silky skill” over Hetmyer’s raw power. Even DC captain Axar Patel was surprised, noting Hetmyer’s struggles in the match, such as South Africa vs New Zealand.
Why RR Chose Hetmyer and Parag
Nitish Rana defended the choice, calling Hetmyer a proven finisher previously delivered for RR. “Had Hetmyer hit two sixes, this question wouldn’t exist,” Rana said at the press conference (The Times of India). He believed targeting 15 runs was strategic, as it pressures the chasing team after a wicket. RR also opted for a left-right combination to disrupt Starc’s rhythm, but his reverse-swinging yorkers proved too much.
Expert Opinions: Did RR Get It Wrong?
Pujara emphasised Jaiswal’s psychological edge over Starc, suggesting he could have pressured the bowler early. Bishop agreed, advocating for Rana’s finesse in high-stakes scenarios, like Ranji Trophy matches. Starc was surprised by RR’s left-heavy line-up, as his inswinging yorkers suited bowling to left-handers (BBC Sport). Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with fans questioning why RR didn’t pick Rana or Jaiswal, and why Sandeep bowled instead of Jofra Archer.
However, Rana’s defence highlights the team strategy. Hetmyer’s reputation as a finisher and the left-right tactic were calculated risks. The run-outs, not the batting choice alone, proved costly, as RR wasted a delivery with only two wickets allowed in a Super Over.
Super Over Stats
|
Team |
Runs |
Batters |
Bowler |
Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RR |
11/2 |
Hetmyer, Parag, Jaiswal |
Starc |
Run-outs on balls 4 and 5 |
|
DC |
13/0 |
Rahul, Stubbs |
Sandeep |
Won in 4 balls |
The Role of Reverse-Swing
Starc’s mastery of reverse-swing, aided by the return of saliva in IPL 2025, was pivotal. ESPNcricinfo data shows fuller lengths (yorkers, full-tosses) were more economical than shorter ones this season, a shift from recent years. Starc’s Super Over averaged 1.8 degrees of swing, compared to 0.8 degrees with the new ball (ESPNcricinfo). Mohit Sharma noted that 70% of IPL 2025 games saw reverse-swing, making yorkers lethal again like the godfather.
Starc’s Yorker Precision
Starc’s 18th and 20th overs, plus the Super Over, showcased his skill. He dismissed Rana with a 144 km/h yorker and restricted Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel in the final. His ability to execute under pressure, as Axar Patel noted, was key: “He was clear with his plans” (The Times of India). This resurgence of reverse-swing challenges batters, who are re-adapting to fuller lengths.
Why Didn’t RR Choose Jofra Archer to Bowl?
RR’s choice of Sandeep Sharma over Jofra Archer for the Super Over raised eyebrows. Archer, who bowled the Super Over in the 2019 ODI World Cup final, took 2/32 in the match. Rana justified Sandeep’s selection, citing his experience in similar situations (Sportstar). However, Sandeep’s slower bouncers were predictable, allowing Stubbs to smash the winning six. Fans on X criticised the decision, arguing Archer’s pace could have challenged DC’s batters.
Sandeep vs. Archer: A Comparison
|
Bowler |
Match Figures |
Super Over |
Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sandeep |
3/37 (4 overs) |
13/0 (0.4 overs) |
Conceded six to Stubbs |
|
Archer |
2/32 (4 overs) |
Did not bowl |
Dismissed Rahul, Fraser-McGurk |
Conclusion
The DC vs RR Super Over was a masterclass in high-stakes cricket, with Starc’s reverse-swinging yorkers and RR’s run-out chaos defining the outcome. While RR’s choice of Hetmyer and Parag wasn’t illogical, overlooking Rana’s form and Jaiswal’s edge against Starc may have cost them. Sandeep’s selection over Archer also backfired. This match underscores the acceptable margins in T20 cricket, where strategy and execution collide. As IPL 2025 progresses, RR must learn from this to avoid future heartbreak.
