Mitchell Starc bowled an outstanding Super Over in Delhi Capitals' victory over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 today (April 16), but conceded a rare back-foot no-ball which allowed the batting pair to make a fast start.
Starc played a starring role in Delhi's victory. Given nine runs to defend of his final over in normal time, he limited Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer to eight between them, triggering the first Super Over in the IPL since 2021. It was no surprise then, that when Rajasthan sent out Hetmyer and Riyan Parag to face up first, it was Starc who once again took the ball.
While he nailed his yorker first up to get a dot ball in, Hetmyer connected off his next delivery, down the ground for four. A single came off the next ball to take Rajathan's total from the first half of the over to five. The next ball, however, could have been disastrous for Delhi.
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Having missed bowled a low full toss outside off stump, Parag capitalised on Starc missing his length and sliced a four over short third. As he lamented the delivery, the umpire stuck out his arm and sirens went off around the ground to signal a no-ball. As it was clear Starc had not overstepped, DC were penalised for a rare back-foot no-ball, with Starc having pushed the width at the crease to go wide around the wicket and angle the ball in at Parag.
Match 32, Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals
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- Ball by ball Over
What is the back foot no-ball rule?
There was some disagreement on commentary for the game as to whether the position of Starc's foot should have constituted a no ball. The back-foot no-ball rule, section 21.5 of the IPL playing conditions, states: "The bowler's back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his stated mode of delivery."
The 'return crease' refers to the tramlines at the side of the crease markings, different to the popping crease which concerns front foot no-balls. The crucial part of the rule which concerns Starc's delivery is "within and not touching". Starc's back foot was clearly seen to be touching the return crease, with the left side of his bowling boot almost outside of the line's jurisdiction.
The no-ball meant that Rajasthan's total jumped to 10 off the first three legal deliveries of the Super Over, as he would be required to bowl the fourth delivery again with one extra run added to the total. However, Starc struck back emphatically.
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Back-foot no-ball doesn't cost Starc much
Starc fired his next delivery down the leg side and Parag missed his attempted shot with the ball brushing his pad, meaning it would not be given as a wide. As the batters tried to run, KL Rahul threw the ball down to the non-striker's end where Parag was struggling to make his ground, and Starc took the bails off.
With Hetmyer now on strike, Starc sent down another low full toss which was swung to deep midwicket. New batter Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to come back for a second, but was short at the non-striker's end with Starc once again removing the bails.
Two wickets meant the end of the Super Over after five legal deliveries, with Rajasthan's final total 11 runs. Rahul and Tristan Stubbs were sent out to chase for Delhi, and they secured the runs in four balls.
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