IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals pull off thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants

Ashutosh Sharma’s breathtaking counter-attack, in partnership with Vipraj Nigam, helped Delhi Capitals pull off a stunning win over Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League Season 18 clash at Visakhapatnam on Monday.

Down on the mat at 113 for six, the duo stitched together a blistering 55-run partnership off just 23 deliveries for the seventh wicket, dragging the Capitals back into the contest. However, when Nigam was dismissed off the first ball after the strategic timeout, the match seemed to have swung back in Lucknow’s favour.

But the 26-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder took matters into his own hands, guiding Delhi home in the final over with a six off Shahbaz Ahmed, with last man Mohit Sharma at the other end. Ashutosh’s priceless unbeaten 66 overshadowed the stunning knocks of Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, who had pulverised the Delhi bowling attack to give Lucknow a roaring start.

Lucknow’s collapse turns the game on its head

After the early dismissal of Aiden Markram, Marsh and Pooran unleashed an explosive assault, propelling Lucknow to 117 for one by the 10th over. However, the second half of the innings saw a dramatic shift as Lucknow squandered their advantage, losing three quick wickets in the space of four overs.

From 157/3 in 13.5 overs, LSG suffered a stunning collapse, losing four wickets for just 17 runs between the 14th and 17th overs. The last three overs saw Lucknow’s batters add 31 runs, thanks to back-to-back sixes from David Miller in the final two deliveries, which took them to a competitive 209/8 in 20 overs.

Starc and Yadav shine with the ball

For Delhi Capitals, Mitchell Starc (3-42) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-20) starred with the ball, while Vipraj Nigam and Mukesh Kumar chipped in with a wicket each.

A late order counter-attack from Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma led Delhi Capitals to a thrilling one-wicket win with three balls to spare.

Lucknow are tightening the screws and not allowing Delhi any openings to build momentum. The loss of Faf du Plessis has all but ended their hopes of chasing down the target. However, Tristan Stubbs is keeping the Capitals in the fight. At 88/5 after 10 overs, the Capitals are staring down the barrel.

Delhi Capitals are crumbling under pressure, losing wickets in quick succession. Chasing a huge target, they needed a solid start, but instead, they find themselves struggling at 58 for four at the end of the powerplay.

Their main hope, Faf du Plessis, remains at the crease, with Tristan Stubbs newly joining him. Skipper Axar Patel was facing a big test but departed after a promising start. Much was expected from Jake Fraser-McGurk, but the Australian fell in the very first over, dealing Delhi a major blow from which they are yet to recover.

Shardul Thakur has been the chief destroyer, picking up two wickets.

The match has swung between two extremes. Put in to bat, Lucknow’s Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran threatened to take the game beyond Delhi Capitals’ grasp with a stunning assault. But the wickets of Marsh, followed soon by Rishabh Pant and Pooran, brought Delhi right back into contention. As the runs dried up, a disciplined bowling effort stalled LSG’s progress.

South African David Miller stood firm till the end, his 27-run cameo capped by two huge sixes off the final two balls, pushing Lucknow to 209 for eight. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a brilliant spell for Delhi, taking two for 20 in four overs, while Mitchell Starc returned to claim three wickets, including Pooran.

It won’t be an easy chase, but Delhi will be hoping for a strong start from Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Delhi Capitals have clawed their way back into the match with three key wickets—Mitch Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Rishabh Pant—just when Lucknow seemed on course for a total beyond 240.

Pooran showcased his big-hitting prowess, smashing four sixes off Tristan Stubbs and reaching his half-century in just 24 balls. However, his fiery knock of 75 came to an end when he missed a straight delivery from Mitchell Starc and was bowled.

Kuldeep Yadav removed Pant for a brief stay, while Mukesh Choudhary ended Marsh’s innings on 72, with Faf du Plessis taking both catches at the straight boundary.

With Lucknow at 170 for four in 15 overs, all eyes are now on David Miller. Can LSG cross the 200-run mark? Stay tuned.

Mitch Marsh, playing as a specialist batter, ensured he made a valuable contribution to Lucknow’s cause. The Australian’s quickfire half-century, off just 21 balls, found the perfect foil in Nicholas Pooran (35 off 16 balls), as the duo tormented Delhi’s bowling attack. Lucknow raced to 117 for one in 10 overs after hammering 64 runs in the powerplay.

South African Aiden Markram’s wicket remains Delhi’s only breakthrough so far, but Lucknow’s batters are dealing in sixes, having smashed nine already. The flat pitch has given them the freedom to play through the line, and Axar Patel will be hoping his side can stem the flow of runs after electing to bowl.

The absence of KL Rahul, who left the team on Saturday, is a big disadvantage for Delhi.

Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow in Visakhapatnam.

“We don’t want to take a risk with the dew around,” Axar said at the toss.

Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, and Mitchell Starc are Delhi’s overseas players.

Rishabh Pant isn’t dwelling on the past and is focused on the match ahead.

“Definitely a lot of emotion for Delhi Capitals, but I hope I can give my best and make a difference,” he said.

Mitch Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller are LSG’s overseas players.

Teams

Lucknow Super Giants

Rishabh Pant (captain, wk), David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Mitchell Marsh, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Nicholas Pooran, Shahbaz Ahmed, Aiden Markram, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi. Impact sub options: M Siddharth, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Akash Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Delhi capitals

Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar. Impact sub options: Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkand.