Delhi captain Axar thrilled by Starc's yorker masterclass

Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel marvelled at Mitchell Starc's ability to bowl precise yorkers under pressure after the pace spearhead propelled the side to a thrilling Super Over victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.

Chasing 189 for victory, Rajasthan were cruising at 161-2 in the 18th over when Starc dismissed a well-set Nitish Rana (51) to turn the match on its head.

Rajasthan needed nine from the last over with six wickets in hand but Starc sent down a series of yorkers that held the visitors in check and forced the Super Over.

The 35-year-old was Delhi's natural choice to bowl the Super Over and Rajasthan managed 11 runs from five balls before losing both their wickets.

Delhi needed just four balls to get over the line and register their fifth win in six matches to top the table.

"At that time, I was seeing only one option and that was Mitchell Starc," Axar said of his decision to let Starc bowl the last overs. "To execute 12 out of 12 yorkers - I think he missed one there - but, that's why he's an Australia legend. No praise is high enough.

"In a pressure situation, despite changing the fielding positions, he was always clear in his thought process and execution, and that tells us how strong his mindset is," he added.

Starc was named player of the match but was modest about his performance.

"I just backed my execution. Run in with a clear plan and try to execute it - sometimes it doesn't come off, today it did," Starc said.

"I've played long enough for everyone to know what I'd do, but if I execute then I know I'll get by. A bit of luck goes a long way."

More from Sports News

  • Ireland beat India for first time in international cricket

    Abhishek Sharma's 19-ball fifty went in vain as world champions India were surprisingly beaten by Ireland for the first time in international cricket, slumping to a 34-run defeat in the first Twenty20 in Belfast on Friday.

  • Usyk vacates titles before 'last dance'

    Oleksandr Usyk said on Friday he had vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight championships to pursue a final fight.

  • England roar back in second test against New Zealand

    England roared back into contention on the second day of the third and deciding test against New Zealand with Ben Duckett's rapid century helping his side to 223-2 after three wickets for returning captain Ben Stokes helped to dismiss the visitors for 438 at a sizzling Trent Bridge.

  • Williams to face Australia's Joint in Wimbledon comeback

    American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.

  • Australia reach World Cup knockouts, Turkey beat USA

    Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.

Coming Up