The Super Over That Sparked a Storm: What Was RR Thinking?
If you're a Rajasthan Royals fan, chances are you're still replaying that Super Over in your head. And if you’re Nitish Rana, you probably are too—except, from the sidelines.
Let me paint the picture for you. It’s IPL 2025, the first Super Over of the season, a jam-packed Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, and a tied game between DC and RR. Nail-biter? You bet.
Rajasthan Royals had just matched DC’s 188-run total, thanks largely to a brilliant 51 off 28 by—you guessed it—Nitish Rana. Yet when the moment of truth arrived, Rana stayed put in the dugout. Instead, RR rolled out Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag.
And just like that, fans and experts alike had one big, burning question: Why on earth was Rana left out?
One Person Never Makes That Call: Rana Breaks His Silence
Post-match, journalists were quick to prod. And Rana? He was cool, composed, and classy.
The management takes the call, not one person, he said. “The captain, senior players, and coaching staff all decide together.”
He even had the maturity to add,
“If Hetmyer had hit two sixes, then this question wouldn't even be here.”
Now, that’s humility for you. But let’s be real—this wasn’t just a tactical call. It was a missed opportunity, and fans felt it. So did cricketing voices like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ian Bishop, who were vocal about how Rana’s form warranted a place in that Super Over.
Let’s Rewind: RR’s Super Over Strategy
RR’s choice for the big moment:
- Shimron Hetmyer (struggled during the innings)
- Riyan Parag (hit a boundary but was run out)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (never faced a ball—also run out)
Total: 11 runs. DC needed 12. They chased it in four balls.
Here’s where the confusion kicks in. Rana was the in-form batter, looked supremely confident, and had just anchored RR’s recovery. Not sending him out? That’s like keeping your best archer off the field in a final duel because you’re trying a new formation.
Even Axar Patel, DC’s skipper, was surprised:
“Hetmyer wasn’t connecting well. I thought Jaiswal and Riyan would come. But hey, it worked out for us.”
Ouch.
The Bigger Picture: Cricket Isn’t Played on Excel Sheets
This isn’t to say RR didn’t have a method. They probably wanted a left-right combo, a finisher, someone who’s done it before. And sure, Hetmyer has that reputation.
But cricket’s a rhythm game. It’s not always about history; it’s about who’s hot today. Rana was seeing the ball like a pumpkin. That matters.
Also, Super Overs are short. No time for players to “get in” or “settle.” You want someone who’s already dialed in.
Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever played gully cricket, you know this: when your buddy’s batting like a dream, you let him face the pressure ball, not the guy still wiping his hands on his jeans.
On Bowling Front: Archer or Sandeep?
Another head-scratcher: Sandeep Sharma over Jofra Archer.
Rana defended that too:
“Sandy has bowled such overs for us in the past... He was most likely the best option.”
Sure, but Jofra’s bowled a Super Over in a World Cup final. When the game’s on the line, experience like that isn’t just valuable—it’s priceless.
Sandeep’s numbers are decent, but in crunch time against players like KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, you need your big-game player. DC made sure of that—Starc bowled their Super Over. Twice.
What We Can Learn From This
This whole episode is more than a tactical blunder—it’s a reminder. In a format as volatile as T20, you dance with the one who brought you.
RR's Takeaways:
- Don’t ignore current form.
- Gut feeling is great—but mix it with common sense.
- Reputation ≠ readiness.
The "What If" That’ll Linger
RR fans will remember this match not just for the drama, but for the what ifs.
What if Rana had faced those six balls? What if Archer had bowled to Rahul and Stubbs? What if strategy hadn’t outshouted instinct?
But that’s cricket for you—a game of fine margins and brutal hindsight.
Still, credit where it’s due—Nitish Rana handled the media storm like a pro. No blame game, no finger-pointing, just focus on the bigger picture.
Let’s hope RR does the same the next time they’re faced with such a moment.
