Hyderabad, May 5, 2025 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put on a bowling masterclass to leave Delhi Capitals (DC) teetering at 57/6 after 13 overs in the 55th IPL 2025 match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. SRH captain Pat Cummins led from the front, claiming three early wickets to dismantle DC’s top order after opting to bowl first. The hosts, fighting to salvage pride in a faltering campaign, showcased ruthless precision, while DC’s playoff hopes hung by a thread.

DC’s innings began disastrously, with Karun Nair falling for a golden duck to Cummins in the first over. Faf du Plessis (3 off 8) and Abishek Porel (8 off 10) followed suit, both succumbing to Cummins’ pace, leaving DC at a shaky 23/3 in the powerplay. “We aimed to exploit the early bounce,” Cummins said post-powerplay, crediting his team’s disciplined line. KL Rahul (10 off 14) and captain Axar Patel (6 off 7) offered brief resistance, but Harshal Patel’s slower ball deceived Axar, leading to a stunning catch by Cummins. Jaydev Unadkat dismissed Rahul, and a mix-up saw Vipraj Nigam (18 off 17) run out, deepening DC’s woes.

SRH, with only three wins from 10 matches, displayed renewed vigor, with Cummins (3 wickets) and Harshal Patel (1 wicket) exploiting the two-paced pitch. DC, who started the season with four consecutive victories, have now lost three of their last four, making this must-win clash critical for their playoff aspirations. “We’re not out of it yet, but we need to regroup fast,” DC coach Ricky Ponting remarked. Meanwhile, SRH’s bowlers, backed by sharp fielding, kept the pressure relentless.

As Tristan Stubbs (4*) battled to stabilize the innings, DC faced an uphill task against SRH’s varied attack. With the crowd roaring, SRH sensed a chance to dent DC’s campaign further, setting the stage for a gripping finish in Hyderabad.