IPL 2025, DC vs LSG: Lucknow Super Giants bowlers dent Delhi Capitals run chase

Delhi Capitals Struggle Despite Faf du Plessis ' Heroics

The Delhi Capitals had a night to forget as their batting order crumbled in the face of an intense bowling attack, despite some valiant efforts by key players such as Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel. The innings was fraught with hurdles, beginning right from the Powerplay.

Early Wickets and a Troublesome Powerplay

The Delhi Capitals started their innings on a shaky note, losing three quick wickets within the first two overs. The Powerplay saw them grappling to steady the ship but without much success.

• 1.4 overs: Sameer Rizvi got caught behind, adding to the early woes of the Delhi Capitals, who were stuttering at 7/3.
• 2.3 overs: Axar Patel offered a glimpse of hope, hitting a boundary off Digvesh Singh.
• 3.1 overs: Axar Patel further upped the ante by dispatching Siddharth for a massive six down the ground.

By the end of the Powerplay, DC had managed to reach a score of 58/4, thanks in part to some aggressive shots by Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis.

Mid-Innings Stutter

Delhi's attempt to stabilize after the Powerplay saw mixed outcomes. The partnership between Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis seemed to be building some momentum when calamity struck again.

• 5.3 overs: Axar Patel, who had been batting brilliantly, got out caught at square leg after scoring a quick 22 (11).
• 6.4 overs: Faf du Plessis tried to steady the innings but ended up getting caught by David Miller at deep mid-wicket.

These crucial wickets only set the fragility of the innings more apparent, despite the fighting spirit displayed by the batsmen.

The Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma Partnership

The innings headed into a phase where survival became as critical as scoring. Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma took the crease with a goal to maintain wickets and put up runs gradually.

• 8.1 overs: Stubbs launched Bishnoi for a mighty six over long-off, a shot that epitomized confidence.
• 8.3 overs: Ashutosh Sharma leaned into a delivery, thumping it through covers for a boundary.
• 9.5 overs: A big mix-up between the two could have led to a disastrous run-out, but they managed to scrape through, largely due to a wayward throw.

The partnership between Stubbs and Sharma yielded some runs, stitching together efforts that gradually added to the scoreboard.

• 9.1 overs: Stubbs managed to turn a length ball towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
• 9.6 overs: As the innings progressed toward the tenth over, runs seemed easier to come by with singles and occasional doubles.

Even though they put up a commendable fight, it was evident that the damage done in the initial overs had set the match's tone in favor of the Lucknow Super Giants .

The efforts from key batsmen like Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs eventually led to the Delhi Capitals setting a total of 107/5.