Sunrisers Hyderabad endured a nightmare start against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 clash at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on March 30. Opting to bat first, SRH’s innings never gained momentum as their top order crumbled under pressure. Abhishek Sharma fell for just a single run on the opening ball, setting the tone for a shaky start.
Ishan Kishan followed soon after, managing only 2 runs before falling to Mitchell Starc, who was on fire with the ball. Travis Head showed early promise, but his stay at the crease was cut short when Nitish Reddy departed for a duck, again courtesy of Starc’s relentless attack. Two overs later, the left-arm pacer struck again, dismissing Head after KL Rahul took a sharp catch, leaving SRH reeling.
With Heinrich Klaasen and Aniket Verma at the crease, SRH aimed for a rebuild. However, just when things seemed to settle, Mohit Sharma delivered a game-changing moment in the 11th over. Bowling at 129.1 kmph, he sent down a full-length delivery on the stumps. Klaasen, attempting a big shot across the line, mistimed his stroke, resulting in a leading edge.
WATCH – Travis Head’s Fancy Footwork Saves Him, But Luck Runs Out Soon After
Positioned inside the circle, Vipraj Nigam showcased brilliant awareness, sprinting backward and holding onto a stunning catch close to his chest. Klaasen’s dismissal for 32 off 19 balls was a huge setback for SRH.
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The batting collapse continued, and SRH struggled to post a competitive total. Despite their reputation for aggressive batting, they were bundled out for just 163 in 18.4 overs, well below their initial target of 180.
WATCH – Mitchell Starc Strikes Early as Ishan Kishan Falls Cheaply, SRH In Trouble
Before the match, SRH skipper Pat Cummins emphasized the importance of setting a big total in the afternoon heat. “We batted the opposition out of the game last year; hope to do that today,” he said, confirming one change—Zeeshan replacing Simarjeet. Meanwhile, DC’s Axar Patel stressed an aggressive approach. “You have to be brave against SRH, especially in the powerplay. Bowl like it’s the death overs,” he said, announcing Rahul’s inclusion in place of Rizvi.
