Delhi Capitals beat Lucknow Super Giants in thriller

Visakhapatnam: Delhi Capitals kicked of IPL 2025 capmgain with winning note as they beat Lucknow Super Giants by 1 wicket in a thriller here on Monday night.

Chasing 210 to win, DC lost 3 wickets in first 10 balls of the innings, finally reached the target in 19.3 overs losing 9 wickets with the help of Ashutosh Sharma’s unbeaten 66 runs off 31 balls. They needed 6 runs from the final over, bowled by spinner Shabaz Ahmed. Tristan Stubbs and Vipraj Nigam scored 34 and 39 runs respectively.

Earlier, Delhi Capitals staged a strong comeback after Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh's (72) blitz to restrict Lucknow Super Giants to 209/8.

LSG looked on course for a total around 250 before DC bounced back, picking up seven wickets for 61 runs as the visitors stumbled after being comfortably placed at 133/1 in the 12th over.

With no assistance off the pitch, LSG openers went off the blocks quickly with Marsh bludgeoning half dozen of sixes and an equal number of boundaries, to blaze his way to a 21-ball fifty --  his fastest half-century. And Pooran dazzling with his stunning strokeplay to make 75 off only 30 balls with seven sixes and six fours.

LSG appeared set for a total in excess of 240 at one stage, but riding on a splendid spell from Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-20-2) and Mitchell Starc's 3/42, Delhi Capitals applied brakes on their opponent's charge with tremendous success.

LSG, who were cruising at 133 for one in the 12th over, staggered through the second half to add only 76 runs in the last eight overs while losing six wickets.

Earlier, Marsh took charge early on to 21 runs off the third over from compatriot Starc to make intentions clear. On a placid track, Marsh made merry as he connected with sheer power and timing to leave Delhi scrambling for answers as each of his stroke appeared to have brought desired results.

Even as Vipraj Nigam provided a breakthrough in form of Aiden Markram  (15) inside the powerplay, there was no let-up for the Capitals as LSG raised to their second fastest team 100 in 8.1 overs.

From 157/3 in 13.5 overs, LSG suffered a stunning collapse, losing four wickets for just 17 runs between the 14th and 17th overs. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Badoni and ran out Shardul Thakur, while Axar Patel tightened the screws with a tight over.

The last three overs saw LSG batters score 31 runs courtesy of back-to-back sixes from David Miller in the last two deliveries, which took them to 209/8 in 20 overs

For Delhi Capitals, Starc (3-42) and Yadav (2-20) starred with the ball as Nigam and Kumar took a wicket each.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants 209/8 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 75, Mitchell Marsh 72; Mitchell Starc 3-42, Kuldeep Yadav 2-20) lost to Delhi Capitals 211/9 in 19.3 overs (Ahutosh Sharma 66no, Vipraj Nigam 39, Tristan Stubbs 34, Faf du Plessis 29, Shardul Thakur 2/19, Digvesh Rathi 2/31). Agencies

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