In a heart-stopping encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals reclaimed the top spot on the IPL 2025 table after edging past Rajasthan Royals in a dramatic match that was ultimately decided by a Super Over — the league’s first tied game in four years.
Defending a modest total, Delhi turned the tide in the final overs, thanks to a sensational spell from Mitchell Starc. His reverse-swinging yorkers choked Rajasthan’s chase and helped restrict them to eight runs, pushing the game into a Super Over.
Starc returned for the tiebreaker and once again delivered under pressure, conceding just 11 runs. Tristan Stubbs then sealed the win in style, smashing a six with two balls to spare. Emotions ran high throughout the nail-biter — and not just among the players.
In a moment that quickly caught fire on social media, Delhi’s bowling coach Munaf Patel was seen in a heated exchange with the fourth umpire. With Rajasthan closing in on the target during the final overs, Patel appeared to be attempting to send a message to the field, only to be stopped by officials.
A now-viral video shows the former India pacer animatedly arguing on the sidelines — even while tying his shoelaces — as the fourth umpire stepped in to cool things down.
Shortly after the game, the BCCI released a statement confirming that Munaf Patel had been fined 25% of his match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to actions contrary to the spirit of the game.
“Munaf Patel admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” the IPL release stated.
🚨Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel has been fined 25% of his match fees and handed 1 demerit point for his heated exchange with the fourth umpire yesterday 🚨#IPL #IPL2025
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) April 17, 2025
pic.twitter.com/X85YSYRzbV
As expected, Twitter was abuzz with mixed reactions — some defending Patel’s passion, others calling for stricter discipline.