Good morning—weekend cricket is here, and Delhi Capitals remain the IPL’s biggest riddle. How do you explain a side that’s bowled out for 75 and yet, only days later, chases down 225? That losing run is over at last. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, keep their odd Jaipur pattern going. The points table now looks a little more balanced as the day starts with plenty to discuss—and plenty of numbers to chew on—in this edition of Pulse.
Key takeaways
- Delhi Capitals finally ended their losing streak with a successful chase of 225+.
- Rajasthan Royals’ unusual resistance at Jaipur continues, extending their poor home-season dynamic.
- Rajasthan’s Parag and Delhi’s KL Rahul played major roles in the swing from one-sided phases to a chase.
- Delhi’s bowling plan came under scrutiny after a late over went badly, including three sixes.
- Mitchell Starc returned after an extended break and made an immediate impact.
- IPL chases of 220 or more have been frequent, with the latest season adding another seven such victories.
Last night in five lines
No Sooryavanshi versus Starc storyline this time—another fast bowler with tall pace blew past “Boy Wonder” Parag as he sparkled with a near-century in Jaipur, exposing the inconsistency in his earlier outings. Ferreira’s aggressive batting added momentum and set the finish up nicely for Nissanka and Rahul, while Rahul’s elegant stand anchored Delhi’s pursuit. With a small wobble along the way, Delhi ultimately chased down their highest total ever.
Oh, that happened
There was also a moment that went viral for reasons far beyond cricket: a two-ball contest between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Kyle Jamieson. On the first delivery, Jamieson’s line was met with a confident drive for four. The very next ball was fuller and arrived with enough pace to beat Sooryavanshi. Jamieson sprinted toward the teen, celebrated loudly, and stared for long enough to leave a lasting, uncomfortable impression. In the big leagues, that’s the kind of reaction pressure can provoke—and it became the headline for anyone who didn’t even know the match context.
Pulse award
Jamieson was handed the “big bully” nod for not holding back against the schoolkid, and the emotion of that celebration summed up how strong the mental grip was on the batter. Mitchell Starc earned the “ageless wonder” award as he stepped into a match after roughly four months away with three strapped limbs and delivered immediate results.
The “very demure” recognition was shared—Nissanka and Rahul—both for the variety and polish of their strokeplay, highlighted especially by identical swivel-pulls that looked effortless from the stands. Parag collected the “holy smokes” award for one particular shot versus Jamieson: he stepped away and lofted it over covers, forcing the bowler into a visible fight for breath and rhythm. Stubbs and Ashutosh were named the “icemen” for making a tricky finish appear easy, using quick flicks, ramps, and pulls to cruise through with nearly an over to spare.
Talking point: Delhi’s bowling decisions under the microscope
Delhi won the game, but their bowling tactics still need a serious look. The decision to hold back one Kuldeep over against Ferreira proved costly. Three sixes in the 18th over erased the contest’s direction and swung the momentum at the exact time it was most dangerous. It also added to an already expensive middle-innings period where Delhi continued to struggle for control. The underlying issue is that their Indian quicks simply weren’t clicking enough to keep batters in check. With that trend, it becomes tough to rely on batting alone to carry the team all the way to the playoffs.
Who’s saying what?
KL Rahul spoke about his strike-rate—described as an ongoing saga—and framed it as a “big talking point” over the years. He suggested he’s comfortable playing in a way that matches what “modern T20 cricket requires.” Rahul is currently perched at the top of the Orange Cap list with a strike-rate of 186, which naturally comes with plenty of satisfaction.
Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, didn’t let his strapped-up arm disrupt his comeback mindset. He joked that if you’ve got three things strapped, retirement should be the first thought—but clarified that he isn’t ready for that yet.
Axar Patel dedicated the win to the two Delhi supporters who tragically lost their lives in a road accident earlier in the week.
Stat snack
To underline how strong this “chasing season” has been: in IPL history from 2008 to 2025, there were five successful chases of 220 or more. In the current year, that number has already risen to seven.
What’s the latest gossip? Tonight’s watchlist and a prediction
The mystery around MSD continues to spark plenty of fan theories. Mike Hussey said the captain/legend isn’t attending matches to avoid becoming a distraction. Hussey also stated that he’s at training regularly and has been “progressing well,” with that phase reportedly extending for about a month. The uncertainty has been building for too long, and the question now is whether an “R-plan” is in motion. Hussey’s message is essentially to wait and see.
Tonight’s watchlist
The main attraction is MI versus CSK—a clash between IPL giants currently dealing with reduced circumstances. The pre-match reunion of Dhoni and Rohit was enough to light up social media, but the real test begins once the game is underway.
Reckless prediction for tonight’s game
It’s almost 7:30pm at Chepauk, so the prediction is simple: Rohit and Dhoni, fully suited, walk out toward the toss to maddening cheers—then the alarm rings, cutting straight to the next phase of the night.
