Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
Delhi Capitals (DC) have pulled off a heist in their opening match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), coming from nowhere to chase 209 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam. Ashutosh Sharma, considered one of the buys of the IPL 2025 mega auction, showed why in a magnificent display of finishing, leading his team to victory with an unbeaten 66 off just 31 balls.
The fact DC won this game is quite remarkable. They were in all sorts of trouble right throughout the game. LSG reached 133/1 in just 11.4 overs. They then brought up 160 in the 13th over as Pooran (75 off 30 balls) smashed 28 off a single Tristan Stubbs over. Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36 balls) also dominated the DC attack.
However, as written in our DC IPL 2025 Season Preview, their death bowling is a strength. LSG managed just 39 runs in the last five overs, which assistant coach Lance Klusener believing the team “probably left 20 or 30 runs with the bat out there.” Mitchell Starc’s wicket of Pooran and Kuldeep Yadav’s magnificent spell were particularly important to keep DC in the contest.
That being said, LSG were still in a great position to win with 209 on the board. They reduced DC to 7/3 in the first ten balls. By the seventh over, the Capitals had lost five wickets, including key players Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis. Tristan Stubbs’ wicket in the 13th over, which left DC reeling at 113/6, looked to be curtains.
However, DC’s finishing, also considered a strength heading into the season, came to the fore. Firstly, Vipraj Nigam was superb on debut. His 15-ball 39 provided the Capitals with hope of a miracle chase. Then, Ashutosh Sharma took over, going from 20 (20) to 61 (31) to pull off a stunning victory.
DC vs LSG Twitter Reactions: Capitals chase 210 in memorable fashion
Ashutosh Sharma 66 (31) and Vipraj Nigam stun LSG
Ashutosh very nearly ran out of partners. He and Mitchell Starc took a questionable quick single at the end of the 17th over which put Starc back on strike. The left-hander was dismissed next ball to leave DC eight down and at risk of being bowled out. Kuldeep Yadav was then run out attempting a quick single to get Ashutosh on strike, before Mohit Sharma scrambled a single after surviving an LBW and missed stumping. Next ball, Ashutosh sealed the win with another superb six.
Fans praised Ashutosh Sharma for his innings of 66 and criticised Punjab Kings (PBKS) for releasing him. “So glad IPL is back. Entertainment every night. Dehli down and out but found a way to get over the line,” wrote Albie Morkel.
Rishabh Pant in the spotlight after missed opportunities
LSG had chances to win. The biggest came in the final over where Rishabh Pant missed a stumping off Mohit Sharma, which would have sealed an LSG win. Mohit was done by an excellent delivery by Shahbaz Ahmed that spun away, caught the back pad and then burst out of Rishabh’s gloves with the number 11 batter overbalancing out of his crease.
Next ball, LSG inexplicably let a quick single through to enable Ashutosh to get back on strike. Also, LSG not bowling Shardul Thakur in the crunch overs came in for criticism from fans.
Rishabh Pant looked a forlorn figure as Ashutosh’s fifth six sealed a DC win, after his own six-ball duck represented a tough outing for the new LSG captain. Fans were critical of his performance, but it should be remembered it is only one game and Pant has it in him to bounce back.
Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Kuldeep Yadav also star in thrilling game
Marsh and Pooran were superb. Their six-hitting was a sight to behold. They set up a magnificent platform for LSG to get 230+, but it wasn’t to be.
One reason it didn’t eventuate was Kuldeep Yadav. The spinner was magnificent on an excellent batting pitch, taking 2/20 off his four overs including an incredible 15 dot balls.
DC walk away with the win but know there is plenty of room for improvement. KL Rahul could be back next game after he and his wife happily welcomed their first child. They take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at this venue next Sunday in what promises to be a cracking clash.
Next up for LSG is arguably the toughest test in the league – SRH at Hyderadabad – on Thursday. SRH are fresh off smashing 286 against RR and have the inexperienced LSG attack in their sights.
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