12 Yorkers in 12 Balls: Axar Patel Lauds Mitchell Starc’s Heroics in Delhi’s Thrilling Super Over Win

In a match that will be etched in IPL folklore, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel couldn’t hold back his admiration for pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, whose nerves of steel turned a near-certain defeat into a breathtaking Super Over victory against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. With Rajasthan needing just nine runs in the final over to clinch the match, Starc produced a masterclass, conceding only eight runs to force the first Super Over of the IPL 2025 season.

Axar, visibly elated in the post-match press conference, revealed the sheer brilliance of the Australian fast bowler. ‘I told Starc to hit his mark, and he’d bring us back into the game. What he did was unreal—12 balls, 12 yorkers. He barely missed his length once. He’s a legend of Australian cricket, and his mindset under pressure was just phenomenal,’ Axar said, highlighting Starc’s reputation as one of the world’s best in high-stakes situations.

In the Super Over, Delhi Capitals took to the crease first and chased down a modest target of 12 runs with clinical precision. KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs wasted no time, sealing the win in just four balls against Rajasthan’s Sandeep Sharma, who struggled to contain the aggressive intent of the Delhi batters. This victory marked Delhi’s third win of the season, boosting their net run rate and confidence as the tournament progresses.

Reflecting on Delhi’s journey through the match, Axar admitted the team had a rocky start with the bat. ‘We underperformed in the powerplay. The pitch wasn’t the easiest, as KL Rahul pointed out, with uneven bounce troubling our top order. I urged the boys to stay positive and show intent rather than buckle under pressure. When Rajasthan started dominating, I felt the heat myself, but a strategic timeout helped us regroup. I asked the bowlers to focus on tight lines and lengths,’ he explained. Delhi’s initial struggle saw them score only 42 runs in the first six overs, losing key wickets early, before a late surge powered by Stubbs’ quickfire 38 off 21 balls pushed them to a competitive total of 162/7.

Despite the sluggish beginning, Axar was pleased with how the team fought back. ‘All’s well that ends well. We could’ve been sharper in the powerplay, no doubt. During the first strategic break, our batters warned us about the tricky wicket—new batters found it hard to time the ball. I kept reminding them to back their instincts and maintain intent. Thankfully, we gained momentum around the 12th or 13th over, and that set up the thrilling finish,’ he added. Delhi’s resurgence in the middle overs, coupled with Starc’s heroics at the death, turned the tide in their favor.

Starc, who has been a pivotal figure in Australia’s pace attack with over 300 international wickets across formats, proved once again why he’s worth every penny of his hefty IPL contract. His ability to deliver under pressure not only saved Delhi from the jaws of defeat but also reminded fans why he’s regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in modern cricket. As the IPL 2025 season heats up, this match will surely be remembered as a defining moment for Delhi Capitals, with Starc’s 12-yorker masterpiece stealing the headlines.

For Rajasthan Royals, the loss stings after coming agonizingly close to victory. With formidable players like Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson in their ranks, they’ll look to bounce back in their next fixture. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will carry this momentum forward, knowing they have a match-winner in Starc and a composed leader in Axar. As the tournament unfolds, matches like these remind us why the IPL remains the most unpredictable and exhilarating T20 league in the world.