The Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched a remarkable 19-run victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a thrilling match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi during Match 64 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The game, played on a batting-friendly pitch, saw a targeted team effort leading DC to post a formidable total of 208 runs. Despite spirited performances from a couple of LSG’s batsmen, the DC bowlers kept their cool and ensured the two vital points went into their kitty.
LSG won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on any early-morning moisture in the pitch. Their decision seemed spot-on in the very first over when Arshad Khan dismissed the dangerously aggressive Jake Fraser-McGurk. Fraser-McGurk aimed to start explosively by hitting a big shot but ended up sending the ball skyward, where it was safely pouched at long-on.
However, DC was quick to counterattack. Abishek Porel set the tone with a series of elegant and aggressive shots that energized the team. Porel’s innings began confidently as he launched an upper-cut for six off Mohsin Khan in just the second over. Porel continued, taking Arshad Khan’s next over for 21 runs, highlighted by a magnificent cover drive, and shifted the momentum back towards DC. When Yudhvir Singh took the fourth over, he too couldn’t contain DC’s onslaught as Shai Hope joined the action, with DC ending the powerplay on a high with 17 runs coming off Naveen-ul-Haq’s over.
Post-powerplay, the scoring rate reduced marginally as LSG fought back. Hope played a composed knock of 38 off 27 balls, which included a majestic six down the ground off Ravi Bishnoi. Hope attempted another big shot but got caught by KL Rahul at cover. Porel, who had been crucial for DC, managed to reach his fifty off just 21 balls but fell soon after for 58 in the 12th over, delivering a much-needed breakthrough to the opponents.
Then came Tristan Stubbs, whose unbeaten 57 off 25 balls proved to be instrumental. Stubbs, along with Rishabh Pant, started to rebuild the innings. Pant’s 33 off 23 balls provided a steadying hand, as he peppered the boundary ropes with five fours, entertaining the crowd with his characteristic shots, including a memorable slash for four through third man, even as he lost grip of his bat. Pant fell in the 17th over, but Stubbs kept up the momentum.
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As DC approached the death overs, Stubbs took charge, lifting the total over the 200-run mark. His fifty was reached impressively off just 22 balls, including a mammoth six off Naveen-ul-Haq. The final assault saw DC plundering 45 runs from the last three overs, including a 21-run penultimate over, bringing their final tally to a daunting 208 for four.
LSG’s chase got off to a rocky start thanks to DC’s seasoned campaigner, Ishant Sharma, who wrecked havoc in the powerplay. Sharma dismissed KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock before Axar Patel stepped in to grab Marcus Stoinis’ wicket with a clever stumping in the fourth over. With LSG reeling at 24 for three, the pressure was on.
Nicholas Pooran strode in with the determination to turn things around. He started aggressively, targeting Axar Patel’s deliveries for boundaries and amassing 20 runs in that over. Sharma struck again, dismissing Deepak Hooda for a first-ball leg-before. LSG ended the powerplay at 59 for four, with Pooran blazing away at 32 off 11 balls.
While Pooran continued to find the boundary, LSG lost wickets at regular intervals, leaning heavily on their explosive batter to carry them through. Pooran brought up his half-century in just 20 balls, giving LSG a glimmer of hope. However, his departure in the 12th over, courtesy of a sharp Mukesh Kumar delivery and an expert low catch by Axar Patel at cover, saw LSG teetering at 101 for six.
In the midst of this collapse, a thrilling fightback was spearheaded by Arshad Khan. He hammered the DC bowlers all around the park, reaching his fifty off just 25 balls and momentarily spurring hopes of an unlikely comeback. Yudhvir Singh played a short but impactful cameo, contributing 14 runs with a six and a four.
As the match approached its climax, LSG needed 29 runs off the last two overs with only two wickets in hand. It looked like a nail-biter was on the cards, but DC’s Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam delivered economical, pressure-filled overs, preventing any boundaries and sealing a crucial victory for their team.
With this win, DC leapfrogged to the fifth spot on the points table, keeping their Playoffs hopes alive, though they still require favorable outcomes in other matches to secure a spot in the Playoffs.