In a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a crucial 19-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 64 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The win, facilitated by a well-rounded team performance and strategic bowling, has propelled DC to the fifth spot on the points table, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a good track, DC’s innings got off to a shaky start. Arshad Khan, from LSG, struck in the very first over, taking down the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk who aimed for a big hit but skied the ball to long-on. LSG’s early breakthrough had the Capitals on the backfoot, but the tide soon turned as Abishek Porel stepped onto the field with determination.
Porel counter-attacked swiftly, enthralling the spectators with exquisite shots. His upper-cut off Mohsin Khan in the second over set the stage for a promising innings. By the third over, Porel had picked up the pace, scoring 21 runs off Arshad Khan with a combination of a six and three fours, including a stunning cover drive. The fourth over saw Yudhvir Singh being targeted, going for 16 runs as Shai Hope joined the act. The Capitals closed out the powerplay with a blistering 17-run over by Naveen-ul-Haq, highlighted by a flat-six over fine-leg from Porel.
Post powerplay, the run rate experienced a slight dip. Shai Hope, who contributed a vital 38 runs from 27 balls, fell to Ravi Bishnoi attempting a risky shot over cover, well-caught by KL Rahul on the second attempt. Porel, meanwhile, achieved his fifty in style, but Lucknow’s bowlers managed to make a dent soon after, removing him for 58 in the 12th over which gave them a glimmer of hope.
The middle phase of DC’s innings witnessed a remarkable display from Tristan Stubbs who played a crucial role in rebuilding after a slight wobble. Stubbs, who ended unbeaten on 57 off 25 balls, was well-supported by Rishabh Pant, who contributed a valuable 33 off 23 balls. Pant entertained the crowd with five fours and some innovative strokes, particularly when he steered one from Naveen-ul-Haq to four through third-man even as the bat flew out of his hands. Pant’s dismissal in the 17th over, however, shifted the onus back onto Stubbs.
Stubbs’ aggressive batting saw DC crossing the 200-mark. By the 15th over, DC stood at 136 for three, and Stubbs took charge, hammering Arshad Khan for a six and two fours. The final three overs were particularly fruitful for DC, adding 45 runs with the penultimate over costing 21.
. Stubbs achieved his fifty off just 22 balls, ensuring DC reached a formidable total of 208 for four.
In response, LSG’s chase was undermined early by a stellar spell from veteran Ishant Sharma who delivered a masterclass in the powerplay, claiming three pivotal wickets. KL Rahul fell to a well-directed delivery, skying it to covers, followed by Quinton de Kock’s catch at mid-on. Axar Patel added to LSG’s woes by stumping Marcus Stoinis off his very first ball. At 24 for three, LSG found themselves in deep trouble. However, Nicholas Pooran offered resistance as he started his innings with a flurry of boundaries.
Despite the early setbacks, Pooran’s aggression against Axar Patel led to a 20-run over, invigorating LSG’s hopes. Ishant continued his dominance by trapping Deepak Hooda leg-before, stalling LSG’s momentum. By the end of the powerplay, LSG had amassed 59 runs but paid the high price of losing four wickets. Pooran, however, was undeterred, making a quickfire 32 off 11 balls.
The subsequent overs saw Pooran maintaining a steady flow of boundaries, even as Ayush Badoni departed. Pooran’s spirited knock brought him to his fifty in just 20 balls, justifying LSG’s reliance on him for a successful chase. Nevertheless, DC’s bowlers kept their composure, and Axar Patel’s brilliant low catch off Mukesh Kumar delivered a crucial blow by removing Pooran for 101 for six.
Despite a seemingly daunting situation, LSG found newfound hope in Arshad Khan’s fearlessness. Arshad played a crucial hand, launching an onslaught with a 25-ball fifty adorned with hefty sixes, pushing LSG closer to the target. His effort was augmented by a quick cameo from Yudhvir Singh, who contributed by making 14 runs including a six and a four.
As the match reached its climax, LSG needed 29 runs off the final two overs with only two wickets in hand. Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam stepped up for DC, demonstrating exceptional skill by keeping Arshad Khan quiet and preventing any boundaries, ensuring a 19-run victory for the Capitals. This result places DC in a precarious fifth position, where they must now rely on other results to secure a spot in the playoffs.