Delhi Capitals (DC) scored a decisive 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 64th match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, a riveting fixture held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Displaying a solid team performance on an excellent batting wicket, DC posted an imposing score of 208. Despite a spirited chase with notable contributions from LSG’s batters, DC’s disciplined bowling ensured they secured the crucial two points.
After winning the toss, LSG skipper elected to bowl first, a decision that seemed to pay off immediately in the opening over. DC’s aggressive opener Jake Fraser-McGurk attempted to stamp his authority by clearing the boundary but ended up gifting his wicket to Arshad Khan, caught at long-on. This early blow had DC on the defensive, but Abishek Porel provided a swift and vigorous counterattack.
Porel treated the audience to an exhibition of attacking cricket in the initial overs. Showcasing an array of classic shots, he began his assault with a spectacular upper-cut for a six off Mohsin Khan in the second over. The following over, delivered by Arshad Khan, was even more devastating as Porel accumulated 21 runs with one six and three boundaries, highlighted by an exquisite cover drive. Yudhvir Singh’s over also met a similar fate, costing LSG 16 runs with Shai Hope contributing significantly. Capitalizing on this momentum, DC concluded the powerplay with a 17-run flourish against Naveen-ul-Haq, where Porel managed a skilful flat-six over fine-leg.
Post powerplay, the scoring rate dipped slightly. Shai Hope, who played a handy innings of 38 off 27 balls, struck Ravi Bishnoi for a six over long-on. However, his attempt to replicate this resulted in his dismissal, a catch spectacularly juggled and then secured by KL Rahul. During this phase, Porel reached his fifty off just 21 balls, but his flourishing innings ended at 58 in the 12th over, courtesy of a disciplined LSG bowling effort that briefly contained the DC scoring rate.
Tristan Stubbs emerged as the cornerstone of DC’s innings in the latter end, orchestrating a pivotal 57 not out off just 25 deliveries. Initially rebuilding the innings with Rishabh Pant, who also contributed a brisk 33 off 23 balls, Stubbs ensured DC maintained a solid run rate. Pant entertained the crowd as he typically does, with five boundaries, including a notable shot to third-man off Naveen-ul-Haq that saw the bat leave his hands yet still cross the boundary. His innings concluded in the 17th over.
Stubbs’s powerful hitting carried DC beyond the 200-run mark.
. Just as the innings seemed to be stabilizing at 136 for three in 15 overs, Stubbs launched an aggressive assault against Arshad Khan, earning a six and two boundaries in one over. The penultimate over yielded 21 runs, helping Stubbs achieve his fifty off a mere 22 balls with a six off Naveen-ul-Haq. This late surge propelled DC to a formidable 208 for four in their allotted overs.
The run chase commenced disastrously for LSG as veteran bowler Ishant Sharma tore through their top order during the powerplay. Sharma’s magnificent spell saw him remove KL Rahul, who skied a shot to cover, followed by the dismissals of Quinton de Kock at mid-on and Marcus Stoinis stumped off Axar Patel’s very first ball of the fourth over. LSG found themselves languishing at a precarious 24 for three when Nicholas Pooran arrived at the crease.
Pooran, known for his aggressive batting, resolutely targeted the leg-side boundaries, instantly putting pressure on the bowlers. Axar Patel’s over leaked 20 runs with Pooran hitting two fours and two sixes. However, Sharma’s return spell was decisive yet again, trapping Deepak Hooda leg-before in the next over. Despite losing four wickets, LSG managed to tally 59 runs during the powerplay, with Pooran racing to 32 off merely 11 balls.
Continuing his onslaught, Pooran kept LSG’s hopes alive, consistently finding the boundary ropes and bringing up a rapid fifty off 20 balls. Yet, a moment of brilliance from Axar Patel saw him dismiss Pooran in the 12th over with a stunning low catch off Mukesh Kumar’s bowling. At 101 for six, DC appeared firmly in control of the match.
In the world of T20 cricket, however, game-changing performances can arise at any moment. Arshad Khan delivered one such performance, launching an audacious counterattack against DC’s bowling unit. Focusing on shots down the ground, Arshad pounded boundaries with remarkable confidence, and alongside a brief cameo from Yudhvir Singh, reignited hope for LSG. Arshad’s inspired batting led him to a quickfire 25-ball fifty, bringing LSG closer to the target.
Despite needing 29 runs off the last two overs and only two wickets remaining, Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam held their nerve, ensuring that Arshad could not dominate the final deliveries. Their tight bowling at the death secured DC a remarkable victory, moving them to fifth in the standings. With this triumph, DC remains in contention for the Playoffs, dependent on favorable outcomes in upcoming matches.