DC Secures Thrilling One-Wicket Victory Over LSG in Nail-Biting Finish
Delhi Capitals registered their first win of the 2025 Indian Premier League in a dramatic fashion, edging past Lucknow Super Giants by one wicket with just three balls to spare. The high-scoring encounter, held at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, witnessed intense action as DC overcame a daunting target of 210 in a last-over thriller.
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that backfired as Lucknow's batting lineup capitalized on a batting-friendly pitch. DC's bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Axar Patel, leading the side, unable to exert control over the game. In an attempt to break LSG’s momentum, DC used seven different bowlers, but none could effectively restrict the flow of runs. LSG’s batting revolved around explosive knocks from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, both scoring half-centuries. Marsh played a flamboyant 72-run innings, while Pooran showcased his aggressive stroke play, smashing 75 runs. Despite Mitchell Starc picking up three wickets, his economy rate remained on the higher side. By the end of 20 overs, LSG had posted a formidable total of 209 for 8.
Chasing a massive total, DC’s batting lineup faltered early. Their top-order collapsed under pressure, with Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and Sameer Rizvi departing cheaply. The team found itself in deep trouble at just seven runs for the loss of three wickets. Faf du Plessis attempted to anchor the innings, but he failed to find a stable partner. The middle order, however, launched a commendable fightback. Vipraj Nigam’s quickfire 39 off 15 balls gave DC a glimmer of hope before he was dismissed. The turning point came with impact player Ashutosh’s sensational innings under immense pressure. He played a match-winning knock, scoring an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls. With wickets tumbling at the other end, Ashutosh held his nerve and sealed the game with a six in the final moments, guiding DC to a thrilling victory.
The Visakhapatnam pitch offered a fair contest between bat and ball, allowing for high scores while also providing assistance to bowlers who executed their plans well. LSG’s batting unit demonstrated its firepower, but their bowlers struggled in the crucial moments. For DC, despite the win, concerns remain over the form of key players. Rishabh Pant, the costliest player of the season, was dismissed for a duck, adding to the pressure on him. Captain Axar Patel appeared to struggle with leadership responsibilities, as DC’s bowling lacked consistency.
Lucknow Super Giants will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27, aiming to bounce back from the narrow defeat. Delhi Capitals, buoyed by this thrilling win, will next play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30, hoping to build on their momentum.
Scorecard:
LSG: 209/8 (20 overs)
DC: 211/9 (19.3 overs)
