In an exciting face-off at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 19 runs in Match 64 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. With a powerful batting display, DC put up an imposing total of 208, and despite some valiant efforts from LSG’s batters, DC’s bowlers managed to restrict their opponents effectively to clinch two crucial points.
After winning the toss, LSG elected to bowl first, a decision that paid off immediately. In the opening over, Arshad Khan dismissed the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk, who misjudged a big hit and was caught at long-on. This early breakthrough seemed to put DC on the defensive, but Abishek Porel counterattacked with an entertaining and aggressive approach.
In the subsequent overs, Porel exhibited his prowess with a series of splendid shots. He began with an upper-cut for six off Mohsin Khan in the second over. Then, in the following over by Arshad, Porel racked up 21 runs including a six and three boundaries, highlighted by an exquisite cover-drive. Shai Hope joined the action, adding to LSG’s misery when Yudhvir Singh’s over went for 16 runs. DC closed their powerplay with a flourish, scoring 17 runs off Naveen-ul-Haq’s over, with Porel’s remarkable flat-six over fine-leg standing out.
Following the powerplay, the run rate dropped slightly. Hope (38 off 27 balls) managed to hit Ravi Bishnoi for a six down the ground but soon lost his wicket attempting another big shot, well caught by KL Rahul. Meanwhile, Porel reached his half-century off just 21 balls, but his dismissal for 58 in the 12th over allowed LSG a way back into the match.
Tristan Stubbs then took the mantle, along with Rishabh Pant (33 off 23 balls), to rebuild the innings. Pant entertained the crowd with five boundaries, the most notable being a four through third-man off Naveen-ul-Haq even as the bat slipped out of his grip. Pant was eventually dismissed in the 17th over, but Stubbs’s brilliance ensured DC comfortably crossed the 200 mark.
At 136 for three after 15 overs, Stubbs took charge and mauled Arshad for a six and two boundaries. DC accumulated 45 runs in the last three overs, with Stubbs reaching his fifty off just 22 balls with a six off Naveen. This finishing flourish propelled DC to an imposing total of 208 for four.
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The LSG run-chase began ominously with veteran Ishant Sharma delivering a stellar spell in the powerplay, taking three pivotal wickets. First, he had KL Rahul caught at cover. Then, in the third over, Quinton de Kock fell to a mistimed shot to mid-on. Axar Patel joined the attack in the fourth over and immediately stumped Marcus Stoinis on his very first delivery. LSG were in turmoil at 24 for three when Nicholas Pooran stepped in.
Pooran, known for his aggressive style, began targeting the leg-side boundaries. Although Axar took a wicket on his first ball, Pooran hammered the rest of his over for 20 runs, striking two fours and two sixes. Ishant continued his exceptional performance by trapping Deepak Hooda leg-before in the next over. With four wickets down though, Pooran raced to 32 off just 11 balls by the end of the powerplay, which saw LSG at 59 for four.
Pooran kept LSG’s hopes alive, regularly finding the boundary even as Ayush Badoni was dismissed. He breezed to his half-century in just 20 balls, becoming LSG’s linchpin. However, his momentum came to a halt when he was brilliantly caught by Axar Patel off Mukesh Kumar in the 12th over, leaving LSG reeling at 101 for six.
T20 cricket’s unpredictable nature came to the fore as Arshad Khan reinvigorated LSG’s innings with a brave and aggressive display. Striking a series of powerful shots, Arshad reached a quick 25-ball fifty, rekindling LSG’s hopes. Yudhvir Singh’s cameo, although short, was impactful, contributing a six and a boundary to keep the pressure on DC.
With 29 runs needed off the last two overs and only two wickets remaining, the tension was palpable. However, DC’s Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam kept their composure, executing precise deliveries to curb Arshad’s onslaught. They managed to prevent any boundaries, sealing a thrilling victory for DC.
This win propelled DC to the fifth spot on the points table, keeping their playoff hopes intact, though they now rely on favorable results from other matches to secure their place in the next stage.