Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a much-needed 19-run victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The thrilling match showcased a range of individual performances and tense moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball. On a good batting track, DC managed to compile a formidable 208 runs, thanks to cohesive team efforts, while LSG fell short despite some valiant batting display.
LSG won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that immediately paid off when Arshad Khan dismissed the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk in the very first over. Fraser-McGurk, known for his aggressive batting style, attempted to clear the ropes but instead found himself caught at long-on, a huge early blow to DC.
However, DC fought back almost instantly, with Abishek Porel leading the charge. Porel’s counter-attack began with a flurry of delightful shot-making. His upper-cut six off Mohsin Khan in the second over set the tone, and he continued his aggressive approach by taking 21 runs off Arshad Khan’s next over, highlighted by a stunning cover-drive. As Yudhvir Singh conceded 16 runs in the fourth over and with Shai Hope joining in the attack, DC closed out the powerplay on a high note, accumulating 17 runs in the sixth over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq.
Post-powerplay, despite a slight reduction in the run rate, DC continued to build a solid foundation. Shai Hope played a critical knock of 38 off 27 balls, which included a towering six off Ravi Bishnoi, before being brilliantly caught by KL Rahul, who juggled before successfully holding onto the ball. At the same time, Porel reached his half-century from just 21 balls. However, LSG managed to claw their way back into the game by dismissing Porel for 58 in the 12th over.
The focus then shifted to Tristan Stubbs, whose unbeaten 57 off 25 balls helped DC regain momentum. Alongside Rishabh Pant, who contributed 33 off 23 balls with five boundaries, Stubbs ensured that DC crossed the 200-run mark. Pant’s innovative and entertaining stroke play, particularly a third-man boundary off Naveen-ul-Haq, was a highlight of the innings. Though Pant exited in the 17th over, Stubbs kept the scoreboard ticking, bringing up his quickfire fifty with a six off Naveen.
. DC managed to score 45 runs in the last three overs, pushing their total to an imposing 208 for four.
In response, LSG’s run-chase faced early setbacks due to a masterful powerplay spell from veteran bowler Ishant Sharma. Sharma’s three wickets, including those of KL Rahul caught at cover, Quinton de Kock caught at mid-on, and Marcus Stoinis stumped off Axar Patel’s first ball in the fourth over, left LSG reeling at 24 for three. Nicholas Pooran then walked in and began his onslaught, targeting the leg-side boundaries and scoring quickly.
Pooran scored 32 runs off just 11 balls within the powerplay, which also included two fours and two sixes off an over from Axar Patel that yielded 20 runs. Nevertheless, LSG had lost four wickets while accumulating 59 runs in the powerplay.
Pooran continued his aggressive innings and reached his half-century off just 20 balls, even as wickets fell around him. However, a brilliant low catch by Axar Patel off Mukesh Kumar’s delivery ended Pooran’s explosive knock in the 12th over, leaving LSG at 101 for six and in disarray.
Despite the precarious situation, LSG found a glimmer of hope through Arshad Khan’s fearless batting. Arshad attacked the DC bowlers with aggressive stroke play, quickly advancing to a 25-ball fifty with a series of sixes down the ground. A brief cameo by Yudhvir Singh, who contributed 14 runs with a six and a four, provided additional support.
With 29 runs needed from the last two overs and only two wickets in hand, the match poised finely. However, DC’s bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam displayed exceptional skill under pressure by restricting Arshad and denying boundaries in crucial moments, ensuring a thrilling 19-run win for DC.
This victory propels DC to the fifth position on the points table. However, they remain reliant on favorable outcomes from other matches to secure a place in the Playoffs. The result adds another layer of excitement to this tightly contested IPL season.