In a thrilling clash that took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by a margin of 19 runs in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The contest, match number 64 of the season, was a gripping spectacle that saw DC leveraging a solid all-round team effort to notch up a total of 208 runs before their bowlers capped off the performance by holding their nerve against LSG’s aggressive batting lineup.
Upon winning the toss, LSG decided to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed vindicated as they made an immediate breakthrough. Arshad Khan, showcasing his prowess, dismissed the formidable Jake Fraser-McGurk with the very first over of the match. In his attempt to hit big, Fraser-McGurk skied the ball to long-on, where it was comfortably caught by the fielder.
The early setback did little to fluster Abishek Porel. The young cricketer launched a counterattack, delighting spectators with an array of aggressive and technically sound shots. In the second over, bowled by Mohsin Khan, Porel displayed his inventiveness with an upper-cut for six. This was followed by an enthralling over off Arshad Khan, in which Porel plundered 21 runs, including a majestic cover-drive. Not to be outdone, Shai Hope joined the fray, contributing significantly as DC accumulated 17 runs in Naveen-ul-Haq’s over to close out a productive powerplay.
Despite a slight reduction in the run rate after the powerplay, DC remained in control. Hope continued his fine form, striking a six down the ground off Ravi Bishnoi, though he was later caught out by KL Rahul while attempting another big hit over cover. Hope’s brisk 38 off 27 balls had set a strong foundation for DC, and Porel capitalized on this, reaching his fifty off a mere 21 deliveries. The tide began to turn, however, when LSG managed to dismiss Porel for 58 in the 12th over, dealing a substantial blow to DC’s momentum.
Rishabh Pant’s entry marked another pivotal phase of the innings. The DC captain showcased his typical flair, accumulating 33 runs off 23 balls, adorned with five scintillating boundaries. His innings, however, came to an end in the 17th over. It was Tristan Stubbs who then took center stage. His unbeaten 57 off just 25 balls was a masterclass in striking, as he guided DC past the 200-run mark. Stubbs’s devastating form was evident when he attacked Arshad Khan, hitting a six and two fours to propel the team to 136 for three in 15 overs. The final push saw DC amassing 45 runs in the last three overs, with Stubbs reaching his half-century off 22 balls.
.
LSG’s chase began on a rocky note, with veteran Ishant Sharma inflicting early damage. Sharma’s disciplined spell in the powerplay rattled LSG’s top order as he secured critical wickets. KL Rahul fell victim, miscuing a shot to cover, while Quinton de Kock was caught at mid-on. Marcus Stoinis’s innings was cut short by an immediate stumping off Axar Patel’s first delivery in the fourth over. With the scoreboard reading 24 for three, LSG found themselves in a precarious position.
Nicholas Pooran’s arrival injected some urgency into LSG’s innings. Targeting the leg-side boundaries, Pooran accumulated swift runs, hitting Axar Patel for two fours and two sixes in one over. Ishant Sharma, however, once again turned the tide in DC’s favor, dismissing Deepak Hooda leg-before. By the end of the powerplay, LSG had 59 runs but had lost four critical wickets. Pooran, with a dynamic 32 off 11 balls, continued to wage a lone battle.
As the middle overs progressed, Pooran’s attacking approach kept LSG’s hopes alive. He quickly reached his fifty off 20 balls, but the loss of Ayush Badoni further stifled LSG’s momentum. Pooran’s departure at 101 for six in the 12th over, courtesy of a brilliant low catch by Axar Patel off Mukesh Kumar’s bowling, seemed to be the final nail in the coffin for LSG.
Despite the odds, Arshad Khan’s incredible power-hitting breathed new life into LSG’s chase. His fearless batting, particularly targeting the boundaries down the ground, saw him reach a rapid fifty off just 25 balls. Supported by a brief but impactful cameo from Yudhvir Singh, who added 14 runs and struck a six and a four, Arshad managed to bring LSG tantalizingly close to the target.
However, with 29 runs required off the final two overs and only two wickets in hand, the task proved too formidable. Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam held their composure, successfully curbing Arshad’s big-hitting potential and denying him any boundaries. Delhi Capitals’ clinical final overs ensured their triumph and moved them up to the fifth spot in the points table. With this victory, DC’s playoff aspirations remain alive, contingent on favorable outcomes in other matches.