Delhi Capitals (DC) strengthened their play-off prospects in the Indian Premier League with a commanding eight-wicket victory over a lacklustre Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday. A disciplined pace attack and questionable tactical decisions from LSG captain Rishabh Pant saw DC register their sixth win in eight outings.
The Capitals’ bowlers were clinical in execution, with Mukesh Kumar (4/33), Mitchell Starc (1/25) and Dushmantha Chameera (1/25 in 3 overs) deploying slower deliveries effectively to restrict LSG to a modest 159 for six. LSG, having reached 87 for one at the halfway mark, could muster only 72 runs in the final 10 overs — their lowest back-half total this season.
Pant, hampered by a bandaged right palm, baffled onlookers by batting at No. 7 and perishing for a two-ball duck. His bowling changes lacked imagination, and persisting with Ravi Bishnoi — whose sole threat remains his googly — backfired. Abdul Samad, promoted ahead of the captain, squandered deliveries with reckless abandon.
In reply, DC’s chase was virtually unchallenged. Young Abhishek Porel (51 off 36) set the tone, before KL Rahul (57 not out off 42) and Axar Patel (34 not out off 20) completed the formalities with 13 balls remaining.
Rahul, often in the crosshairs of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka — who was present in the stands — responded in kind with his third fifty of the season. His composed knock served as a subtle riposte to past criticism.
Pant’s field placements and decision-making left much to be desired, with LSG’s effort marked by dropped catches, misfields and poor energy levels. While he assured at the toss that his injury was “not really serious”, his reluctance to bat up the order suggested otherwise. Curiously, he also opted to keep wickets despite the visible discomfort.
The Ekana pitch offered no undue assistance to the bowlers, and the opening phase saw LSG capitalise with Aiden Markram (52 off 33) dominating, ably supported by Mitchell Marsh (45 off 36). But the momentum shifted swiftly as the DC bowlers adjusted lengths and pace with guile.
Chameera removed Markram with a full delivery that was sliced to deep cover. Starc struck a crucial blow by dismissing Nicholas Pooran (9), who had threatened briefly. The Australian cleverly deceived the West Indian with a slower bouncer that induced a mistimed pull, the ball deflecting off Pooran’s bat onto the stumps.
Mukesh Kumar ensured LSG’s collapse was complete, claiming two wickets in an over — including Pant’s — to dent any hopes of a late flourish. Samad, who scratched around for two off eight balls, and Marsh also fell cheaply as the hosts imploded.
Ayush Badoni’s late strokes were not enough to revive LSG’s innings. DC, having already defeated LSG once this season, completed the double over their opponents with clinical precision.
A couple more wins from their remaining six fixtures could see DC comfortably through to the play-offs, while LSG’s campaign appears increasingly adrift.
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