Rahul, Kumar Shine as Delhi Capitals Cruise to 8-Wicket Win Over Lucknow
Lokesh Rahul marked his return with a milestone and a match-winning knock as Delhi Capitals registered a commanding eight-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With this victory, Delhi joined Gujarat Titans atop the points table with 12 points from six wins.
Chasing a target of 160, Delhi reached 161-2 in just 17.5 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Rahul, who also became the fastest player to reach 5,000 IPL runs, achieving the landmark in just 130 innings surpassing David Warner's previous record of 135 innings.
Rahul, playing against his former franchise for the first time since his move to Delhi, showed poise and authority throughout the chase. After the early loss of Karun Nair in the fourth over, Rahul steadied the innings in partnership with opener Abishek Porel, who scored a fluent 51 off 36 balls, including six boundaries and a six.
The duo put on a crucial stand, countering Lucknow’s spin threat effectively. Porel brought up his maiden fifty of the season off 33 balls, attacking leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi to shift the momentum.
With 55 runs needed off the final 49 balls, Delhi skipper Axar Patel joined Rahul and delivered a powerful cameo. Patel remained unbeaten on 34 from just 20 deliveries, clearing the boundary four times to ensure a smooth finish. Rahul reached his half-century off 40 balls, anchoring the innings perfectly to seal the victory.
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants posted 159-6, failing to capitalize on a strong 87-run opening stand between Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. Markram top-scored with 52 off 34 balls, while Marsh contributed 45 from 38. However, the middle order faltered against disciplined bowling from Delhi, particularly from fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, who finished with exceptional figures of 4-33.
Dushmanta Chameera made an immediate impact in his first game of the season, dismissing the well-set Markram in the 10th over. Kumar followed with a game-changing yorker to bowl Marsh and later removed Abdul Samad and Nicholas Pooran, who was bowled for just nine after misjudging a slower short ball from Mitchell Starc.
Kumar capped off his spell by clean bowling Ayush Badoni (36) in the final over. Delhi’s bowling strategy also saw Axar Patel bowl four economical overs with the new ball, conceding only 29 runs.
“In the powerplay we didn’t take a wicket but we kept it under control”, said Patel post-match. “I had an injury earlier that affected my bowling, but I’ve recovered and took on the responsibility to bowl early.”
Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant’s struggles continued, as he was dismissed for a duck in bizarre fashion dragging a reverse lap attempt onto his stumps after coming in at No. 6. “We were 20 runs short,” admitted Pant. “The wicket always improves in the second innings here in Lucknow”.
With this loss, Lucknow drops to fifth on the table, with five wins and four losses in their nine games so far.
