Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Australian pace ace Mitchell Starc made headlines once again—this time not for a verbal duel, but for a show of mutual respect following an IPL 2025 clash between the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. The pair’s post-match moment quickly went viral, with fans delighted to see the competitive spirit of international cricket giving way to sportsmanship. Earlier this year, Jaiswal and Starc were at the center of an animated exchange during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series held in Australia. During the first Test in Perth, Jaiswal, who was in aggressive form, cheekily sledged Starc with a comment that gained instant popularity: “You’re coming too slow.” The jibe, aimed at Starc’s pace, sparked laughter and debate across cricketing circles, turning into one of the series’ most talked-about moments.
Starc, however, had the last laugh in that series. The Australian left-arm fast bowler dismissed Jaiswal three times across the four-Test series, helping his team regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 series win—Australia's first triumph in the series since 2015. Despite the fierce competition and banter on the field, the recent IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals offered a lighter, more amicable interaction between the two cricketers. After a nail-biting Super Over finish, cameras caught Jaiswal and Starc exchanging greetings with warm smiles and a hug near the boundary line.
“Legend, how are you?” Jaiswal asked Starc, who was chatting with former Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Nitish Rana. Starc responded with, “Youngster, how are you?”—a nod to their age gap and perhaps a light reference to their on-field rivalry earlier in the year. “You having fun here in Delhi?” Jaiswal asked, to which Starc replied, “Yeah. We've only been here for five days,” reflecting the camaraderie that has developed between the two players despite their earlier clashes.
The match itself lived up to its billing as one of the most exciting contests of IPL 2025 so far. Delhi Capitals edged out Rajasthan Royals in the tournament’s first Super Over of the season after both teams finished their 20-over innings with identical scores—188 on the board. Mitchell Starc played a crucial role for the Royals by bowling a disciplined final over during Delhi’s innings and returning again in the Super Over. Despite a tight over that allowed only 11 runs, Rajasthan's hopes were dashed by KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs.
In the Super Over chase, Rahul began with a quick two followed by a boundary. Then, Tristan Stubbs sealed the victory with a six off the fourth ball bowled by Sandeep Sharma, handing Delhi a dramatic win at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. With this result, Delhi Capitals, captained by Axar Patel, climbed back to the top of the 10-team table with five wins in six matches. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, suffered their fifth defeat in seven games, continuing their struggle for consistency despite a talented squad.
The Royals, who last won the IPL title in 2008 under the legendary Shane Warne, have had a difficult season. Despite flashes of brilliance from players like Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, they have been unable to convert key moments into wins. While Starc’s individual performances remain solid, including his bowling in pressure situations, the team has failed to find collective momentum. The left-arm quick’s return to the IPL has nonetheless thrilled fans, especially with his renewed rivalry—and now friendship—with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The touching post-match interaction between Starc and Jaiswal served as a reminder that even in a high-stakes, emotionally charged sport like cricket, mutual respect often triumphs. The duo’s exchange was widely praised on social media, with fans sharing clips under captions like “Nothing but respect” and “Rivals on the field, friends off it.” As IPL 2025 continues, moments like these not only enrich the tournament’s legacy but also highlight the unifying spirit of cricket. Whether through fiery contests in a Test match or warm exchanges after a T20 thriller, the game continues to bring together players and fans from all corners of the world.
