Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious in an electrifying encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), clinching a 19-run win in Match 64 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. On a belter of a batting surface, DC posted a formidable total of 208 runs, thanks to a well-rounded team performance that saw contributions from several key players. Despite facing stiff resistance from a few of LSG’s batters, DC’s bowlers held their nerves and ensured the precious two points were secured.
LSG skipper won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that seemed to work wonders immediately. In the very first over, Arshad Khan accounted for the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk, who attempted to kick off his innings with a big shot but ended up skying the ball to long-on, where a waiting fielder made no mistake.
Although LSG had managed to strike an early blow, knocking DC’s innings off balance, Abishek Porel had other plans. In a display of sheer aggression and skill, Porel launched a counterattack that swung the momentum back in DC’s favor. The second over saw Porel execute a splendid upper-cut off Mohsin Khan that sailed over the boundary for six. Arshad Khan, who bowled the third over, bore the brunt of Porel’s onslaught, leaking 21 runs that included a six and three boundaries, highlighted by a magnificent cover-drive. Yudhvir Singh also succumbed to the onslaught, conceding 16 runs in the fourth over, with Shai Hope joining the act. DC capped off a successful powerplay with a 17-run over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq, punctuated by a flat-six from Porel.
However, post powerplay, the run-rate tapered off slightly. Shai Hope (38 off 27 balls), after hitting Ravi Bishnoi for a six, fell trying to clear the infield, offering a chance to KL Rahul, who secured the catch on the second attempt. Porel, in the meantime, continued to shine and brought up his half-century off just 21 balls. LSG’s attempts to claw back into the contest took a significant leap forward when Porel was dismissed for 58 in the 12th over.
With the innings in a precarious position, the onus of rebuilding fell on Tristan Stubbs and Rishabh Pant. Stubbs (57 not out off 25 balls) began the rebuilding process alongside Pant (33 off 23 balls). Pant entertained with his signature shots, especially favoring the leg-side. He hit five boundaries, with one particularly memorable shot being a third-man four off Naveen-ul-Haq, even when the bat slipped out of his hands. The 17th over, however, saw Pant’s dismissal.
It was ultimately Stubbs’s blistering knock that propelled DC past the 200-run mark.
. At the 15-over mark, DC were poised at 136 for three when Stubbs unleashed an assault on Arshad, plundering a six and two fours. The last three overs saw a crescendo of runs, adding 45 runs to the tally, with Stubbs hammering a penultimate over for 21 runs. His fifty came in style, needing just 22 balls and was crowned with a six off Naveen. The late blitz took DC to a commanding 208 for four.
In reply, LSG’s chase encountered early turbulence, courtesy of the veteran Ishant Sharma, who delivered a masterclass in the powerplay, picking up three crucial wickets. KL Rahul fell prey to Ishant’s guile, skying a ball to the cover fielders. The third over saw Quinton de Kock dismissed at mid-on. Marcus Stoinis was stumped off the first ball Axar Patel bowled in the fourth over. LSG, reeling at 24 for three, were in disarray when Nicholas Pooran strode to the crease.
Pooran ignited LSG’s hopes with a blistering start, targeting the leg-side boundaries with precision. Although Axar had grabbed a wicket off his first delivery, the over ended up costing 20 runs as Pooran dispatched two fours and two sixes. Ishant returned to fortify DC’s position, removing Deepak Hooda leg-before early in his spell. At the end of the powerplay, LSG found themselves at 59 for four, with Pooran blazing away to 32 off 11 balls.
Over the next few overs, Pooran kept LSG’s hopes alive by picking regular boundaries even as Ayush Badoni was dismissed. Pooran raced to his fifty in just 20 balls, but LSG’s aspirations took a heavy blow when he was brilliantly caught by Axar Patel at cover off Mukesh Kumar. Pooran’s departure at 101 for six left DC comfortably poised for victory.
Nevertheless, the excitement of T20 cricket persisted as Arshad Khan took center stage for LSG, producing a whirlwind innings that rekindled the chase. Targeting the ground straight down for robust sixes, Arshad raced to a 25-ball fifty, supported by a cameo from Yudhvir Singh, who added 14 runs, including a six and a boundary.
Facing the daunting ask of 29 runs in the last two overs with only two wickets in hand, LSG’s hopes were dashed as both Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam held their composure for DC, ensuring no further boundaries were scored. The disciplined bowling in the critical final overs sealed DC’s victory, propelling them to the fifth position on the points table. They now wait with bated breath for other results to go their way to secure a spot in the Playoffs.