In a thrilling contest at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals edged out Lucknow Super Giants by just one wicket, chasing down a target of 210 runs in the latest match of IPL 2025. After losing five wickets for only 90 runs at one stage, it looked like Delhi might falter. However, Ashutosh Sharma turned the game around with an explosive innings that saw him finish with 66 not out off just 31 deliveries, bolstered by Vipraj Nigam's 39 runs from 15 balls. Lucknow posted a formidable total earlier, primarily thanks to strong performances from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh.
The game began with Delhi Capitals winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Lucknow Super Giants, eager to make a mark in their season opener, rapidly built their innings. The duo of Pooran and Marsh wreaked havoc on the bowling in the first half of their innings, with Pooran striking 75 runs off 30 balls with an incredible strike rate of 250, while Marsh contributed with 72 runs from 36 balls. Their aggressive batting propelled Lucknow to a commendable 209 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs.
After a brisk start from Lucknow, ultimately, it was Mitchell Starc who led the bowling attack for Delhi, claiming three key wickets for 42 runs. Kuldeep Yadav also shone under pressure, taking two wickets for only 20 runs. Despite struggling to contain the runs in the first half, Delhi's bowlers managed to rein in Lucknow in the latter overs.
The chase set the stage for a riveting finish. Delhi’s batting lineup began inauspiciously, losing key wickets early. Axar Patel, the team captain, and other top-order batsmen faltered under pressure, resulting in Delhi falling to 65 for 5 at one point. However, Sharma's resilience, combined with Nigam's explosive cameo, sparked a thrilling comeback.
As the match reached its climax, Sharma's relentless striking delivered crucial sixes and fours that tilted the momentum back towards Delhi. It was an intense battle in the final overs, with the match turning numerous times. In the 19th over, Sharma hit a remarkable six and a four, bringing the requirement down to six runs in the last over. The tight finish heightened the spectators' nerves with every ball bowled.
With just three balls left, Delhi had narrowly clinched victory by taking the final wicket with Sharma remaining unbeaten, showcasing not only his batting skills but also his composure in high-pressure situations.
This remarkable win marks a notable start for the Delhi franchise in IPL 2025, setting a positive tone for the rest of the tournament. The match highlighted crucial performances from both the teams, showcasing the competitive spirit in IPL.
Looking ahead, both teams will be keen to build on their performances, with Lucknow eager to recover from this narrow defeat and Delhi looking to maintain their momentum as they continue their campaign in the league.
