Visakhapatnam, March 24 (PTI): In a thrilling IPL 2025 match on Monday, Delhi Capitals restricted Lucknow Super Giants to 209 for 8 on a batters' paradise, despite impressive performances from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran. After a promising start that saw LSG at 133 for 1, the team stumbled to lose their last seven wickets for just 61 runs, finishing at least 30 runs short of par.
Mitchell Marsh starred for LSG, smashing 72 off just 36 deliveries, while Nicholas Pooran contributed a fiery 75 runs from 30 balls. The two put on a crucial partnership of 87 runs in just over seven overs. Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the standout bowler for Delhi, claiming 2 wickets for 20 runs, while Mitchell Starc recorded 3 wickets for 42 runs in his four overs.
The match began with Delhi winning the toss and opting to bowl first at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. Lucknow’s explosive batting saw them surge ahead, yet a dramatic collapse in the middle overs saw them lose their grip on the game.
Both Marsh and Pooran were aggressive from the outset, with Marsh hitting six sixes and Pooran launching seven into the stands. The momentum shifted dramatically when Starc, who had a rough start, found his rhythm to dismiss Pooran in a pivotal moment, allowing Delhi to claw back into contention.
As Lucknow pushed towards a formidable total, the match faced a sudden turn when Kuldeep Yadav, a key figure in Delhi's bowling lineup, claimed the vital wicket of Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck after facing six balls. Caught by Faf du Plessis near the boundary, Pant's dismissal was seen as a turning point for the Super Giants, who seemed to be on course for a high score but faltered post-Pant's wicket.
According to reports, Starc's performance was crucial, not only for his wicket tally but also for applying pressure when it mattered most. He had previously struggled against Pooran but managed to dismiss him at a critical juncture. This milestone marked the fourth time in six T20 matches that Starc had dismissed Pooran, emphasizing the fierce competition between these two players.
As the runs dried up, Delhi's bowlers took control. The combined pressure from Starc and Yadav saw Lucknow finish significantly lower than expected. By the end of their innings, crucial wickets continued to tumble, and the last few overs transformed the match from what seemed a possible strong total to a disappointing finish.
Despite these setbacks, Lucknow’s efforts were initially commendable, with solid contributions from David Miller, who scored 27 runs off 19 balls toward the end, pushing LSG to a fighting total of 209.
As the players took to the field for the second innings, the canvas was set for a thrilling chase. However, initial setbacks plagued Delhi Capitals as they lost five wickets within nine overs, leaving them at 83 runs. Shardul Thakur made immediate impact with two wickets in the first over, further heightening the stakes as the match moved into critical moments.
With both teams now at a tense point in the match, eyes were on Delhi’s new captain, Axar Patel, who faced immense pressure but provided hope for a comeback with his leadership. LSG also had to contend with the psychological edge from their strong bowling performance.
While Lucknow Super Giants hoped for early breakthroughs to capitalize, Delhi Capitals had a lot to prove after their previous disappointments. As the match approaches its climax, it’s anyone's game, with expectations for fireworks—on the field and in the stands.
Key moments, including Starc's bowling returns and Kuldeep's performance against former teammate Pant, will be analyzed in the coming days as experts reflect on how this match shaped the early fixtures of IPL 2025.
This opening match for IPL 2025 was one filled with suspense and unexpected turns, laying the foundation for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament ahead.
