Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a thrilling 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 matchup held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This win marks a significant achievement for DC in their campaign, pushing them to the fifth spot on the points table, although they still rely on other results to secure a playoff berth.
Opting to field first after winning the toss, LSG initially appeared to make a sound decision. The very first over saw LSG draw first blood as Arshad Khan dismissed the aggressive Jake Fraser-McGurk, who aimed to hit big right from the outset but ended up sending the ball skyward to long-on where he was safely caught.
Despite this early hiccup, DC stabilized their innings through a spectacular knock by Abishek Porel. Porel, showcasing a mix of aggression and finesse, started his assault by hitting a six with an upper-cut off Mohsin Khan. In an electrifying display, the next over bowled by Arshad KHAN saw Porel collect 21 runs, featuring a six and three boundaries, capped off by an exquisite cover-drive. Shai Hope, partnering with Porel, joined the onslaught against Yudhvir Singh in the fourth over, adding 16 runs to the tally. DC closed out the powerplay in dominant fashion with a 17-run over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq, highlighted by Porel’s flat-six over fine-leg.
As the innings progressed past the powerplay, the run-rate dipped slightly. Shai Hope contributed 38 runs off 27 balls, and managed to hit a six off Ravi Bishnoi but subsequently fell to a well-taken catch by KL Rahul. Nonetheless, Porel continued his dominance, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. However, LSG managed to stem the flow of runs in the middle overs and Porel’s dismissal at 58 in the 12th over marked a turning point.
Tristan Stubbs then took center stage with a blistering 57 not out off 25 balls. He rebuilt the DC innings alongside Rishabh Pant, who chipped in with a valuable 33 off 23 balls. Pant kept the crowd entertained with five boundaries, including an exceptional four through third-man off Naveen-ul-Haq, even as his bat slipped out of his hands. He was dismissed in the 17th over, but Stubbs’ aggressive batting ensured DC crossed the 200-mark. The final three overs unleashed a flurry of runs, and Stubbs reached his fifty off a mere 22 balls with a six off Naveen. DC ended their innings at a formidable 208 for four, thanks to a 45-run surge in the last three overs.
.
LSG’s chase encountered immediate turbulence, courtesy of veteran Ishant Sharma, who delivered a masterful spell during the powerplay. He scalped three crucial wickets, starting with KL Rahul, who was induced to mistime a shot to cover. Quinton de Kock was then caught at mid-on, followed by Marcus Stoinis who was stumped after coming to the crease. LSG found themselves struggling at 24 for three. Nicholas Pooran attempted to stabilize the innings, hitting boundaries with ease and racing to 32 off 11 balls. However, Ishant struck again, this time trapping Deepak Hooda leg-before in the very next over, reducing LSG to 59 for four by the end of the powerplay.
Despite the early setbacks, Pooran continued to fight, crossing his fifty in just 20 balls, offering LSG a glimmer of hope. However, his dismissal in the 12th over, caught brilliantly by Axar Patel, marked the beginning of the end for LSG. At 101 for six, DC appeared to be in firm control.
Nonetheless, T20 cricket is often unpredictable, and LSG found a beacon of hope in Arshad Khan. He launched a spirited counterattack, aggressively targeting the boundaries and carting sixes with impressive ease. His partnership with Yudhvir Singh, who added a quick 14 runs, further bridged the gap. Arshad reached a stunning fifty off just 25 balls, rekindling LSG’s hopes.
As the match approached its climax, LSG needed 29 runs off the last two overs but were left with only two wickets in hand. DC bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam held their nerve, preventing Arshad from scoring boundaries in the final overs. Their disciplined bowling ensured DC secured a much-needed victory.
With this win, DC moved up to fifth in the points table, but their fate still hinges on the outcomes of other fixtures as they strive to make it to the playoffs. This thrilling match was a testament to the competitive spirit of the IPL and left fans at the edge of their seats.