Delhi Capitals (DC) recorded a 19-run win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. On a good batting track, DC managed to score 208 with a good team performance. Although a couple of LSG’s batters gave them the scare, DC’s bowlers held their nerve and ensured two points were in the bag. 

LSG chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and that decision paid dividends in the very first over. The dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk wanted to start off in trademark style by clearing the ropes but instead managed to sky it to long-on off Arshad Khan and was caught in the deep.  

The perfect setup 😎

Jake Fraser-McGurk departs without scoring as Arshad Khan strikes ⚡️⚡️

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While LSG had delivered the first blow to put DC on the backfoot, Abishek Porel counterpunched with an entertaining and combative effort. 

In the next few overs, Porel showcased his class with some delightful shots, starting with an upper-cut for six off Mohsin Khan in the second over. Off the next over by Arshad, Porel managed to pick up 21 runs with a six and three fours – the highlight being a fantastic cover-drive. Yudhvir Singh wasn’t spared when he came on for the fourth and went for 16 – with Shai Hope getting into the act this time. DC closed out the powerplay with a 17-run over by Naveen-ul-Haq. Porel managed a flat-six over fine-leg when he threw his bat at one down the leg-side and connected. 

Post the powerplay, the run-rate reduced a touch. Hope (38 off 27 balls) hit Ravi Bishnoi down the ground for a six but then lost his wicket when he tried to go over cover and was well-caught by KL Rahul, who initially dropped it but pouched it on the second attempt. In that period, Porel also got to his fifty off 21 balls. In that phase, LSG managed to stage a comeback of sorts. Getting Porel out for 58 in the 12th over was a big blow to DC. 

Taken on the second attempt 😎

Partnership broken thanks to a Klassy catch 💪

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The next phase of the innings was dominated by Tristan Stubbs (57 not out off 25 balls) as he first rebuilt the innings with Rishabh Pant (33 off 23 balls). Pant was his usual self during his innings, trying to play the falling shot through the leg-side a few times. He hit five fours, each one entertaining the crowd – especially when he carved one from Naveen-ul-Haq for four through third-man even as the bat left both his hands. He was dismissed in the 17th over. 

It was Stubbs’s effort that helped DC go past 200. In 15 overs, they had moved to 136 for three when he attacked Arshad and picked a six and two fours. In the last three overs, DC managed to score 45 runs, with the penultimate over going for 21. Stubbs got to his fifty off only 22 balls when he smashed a six off Naveen. That surge at the end took DC to 208 for four. 

Two stylish strokes, 1 result 💥

Tristan Stubbs reaches his fifty in style 🚀

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LSG’s run-chase was rocked early thanks to Ishant Sharma, the veteran, who bowled a great spell in the powerplay to pick three important wickets. To begin with, he had Rahul caught when he induced the batter to sky it to cover. In the third-over, Quinton de Kock was caught at mid-on. Axar Patel was introduced in the fourth over, and off the first ball he got Marcus Stoinis stumped. At 24 for three, LSG were in deep trouble when Nicholas Pooran walked in. 

Ishant Sharma x Mukesh Kumar ⚡️⚡️

The duo combine to dismiss the #LSG openers 👏👏

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Pooran started off as he can – targeting the boundaries on the leg-side. Axar may have gotten a wicket off the first ball, but the over went for 20 with Pooran pepering the leg-side with two fours and two sixes. Ishant, though, turned up for DC again, trapping Deepak Hooda leg-before off the first ball next over. LSG got 59 in the powerplay but lost four wickets. However, Pooran had raced to 32 off 11 balls. 

The next few overs saw Pooran pick regular boundaries to keep LSG in the hunt, even as Ayush Badoni was dismissed. That helped Pooran race away to his fifty off only 20 balls – and LSG relied on him to take them through. However, their hopes were dented significantly when Pooran found the cover fielder off Mukesh Kumar in the 12th over. Axar Patel pulled off a brilliant low catch. At 101 for six, DC seemed to be on course. 

Massive moment in the game!

Axar Patel with a sharp catch & Delhi Capitals celebrate the big wicket of Nicholas Pooran 🥳

He goes back for an explosive 61(27)

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However, T20 cricket inspires some thrilling performances, and Arshad stepped up for LSG and reignited hopes in the face of a dominating bowling performance by DC. The left-hander fearlessly targeted the boundaries – especially down the ground, and carted sixes with conviction. Arshad’s assault suddenly brought LSG back into the game as he moved to a 25-ball fifty. He was also helped by a short cameo by Yudhvir Singh, who scored only 14 but managed to hit a six and four. 

Fearless striking from Arshad Khan 🔥

He's not given up yet in this chase 💪

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Arshad’s thrilling batting meant LSG needed 29 off the last two overs but they had only two wickets in hand. Mukesh and Rasikh Salam ensured there was no heartbreak for DC as they kept Arshad quiet and did not concede a boundary in those last two overs. DC have now moved to the fifth spot in the points table with this win, and they will need other results to go their way in order to qualify for the Playoffs.