The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 delivered its first nail-biting thriller on March 24, 2025, as Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off an improbable one-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Chasing a daunting 210, DC were on the ropes at 65/5, but a sensational fightback led by Ashutosh Sharma (66* off 31 balls) turned the game on its head, giving DC a dream start to their campaign.
LSG Sets a Challenging Target
Winning the toss, DC captain Axar Patel opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit early conditions. LSG openers Aiden Markram (15) and Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36) provided a solid foundation, stitching together 46 runs in the powerplay. Marsh was in devastating form, racing to a 21-ball fifty, while Nicholas Pooran joined the party with a blistering 75 off 30 balls. Their 87-run partnership for the second wicket put LSG in a commanding position at 161/2 after 13 overs.
However, DC’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback in the death overs. Kuldeep Yadav (2/20) dismissed Rishabh Pant for a six-ball duck on his LSG debut and later removed Ayush Badoni (4). Mitchell Starc (2 wickets in his final over) and Mukesh Kumar pegged LSG back, restricting them to 48/6 in the last seven overs. David Miller’s unbeaten 27 off 19, including two massive sixes, lifted LSG to a competitive 209/8 in 20 overs.
DC’s Early Collapse and a Miraculous Recovery
DC’s chase got off to a disastrous start. Shardul Thakur struck in the first over, dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk (1), while Abishek Porel (0) and Sameer Rizvi (4) fell cheaply, leaving DC reeling at 2/3 after 1.2 overs. Axar Patel (22 off 11) and Faf du Plessis (29) offered brief resistance, but when Ravi Bishnoi removed du Plessis, DC were tottering at 65/5 in the 7th over. The game seemed all but over for the Capitals.
Enter Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam. The debutant Nigam smashed 39 off 15 balls, including a flurry of boundaries and sixes, reigniting DC’s hopes. Alongside him, Tristan Stubbs (34) chipped in with two back-to-back sixes before falling in the 13th over. When Nigam departed in the 17th over, DC still needed 42 off 23 balls with only three wickets in hand.
Ashutosh, however, had other plans. The impact substitute took charge, smashing a 28-ball fifty and keeping DC in the hunt. With 16 needed off the final over bowled by Shahbaz Ahmed, drama ensued. A missed stumping by Pant off Mohit Sharma (1* off 2) kept DC alive, and Ashutosh sealed the deal with a towering six over long-on, finishing unbeaten on 66 off 31 balls. DC ended at 211/9 in 19.3 overs, chasing down their highest-ever IPL total.
Key Performances
- Ashutosh Sharma (DC): 66* off 31 balls (Player of the Match) – A match-defining knock that showcased his finishing prowess.
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG): 75 off 30 balls – A brutal assault that set the tone for LSG’s total.
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG): 72 off 36 balls – Gave LSG a flying start with his aggressive batting.
- Kuldeep Yadav (DC): 2/20 in 4 overs – The standout bowler in a high-scoring game.
- Vipraj Nigam (DC): 39 off 15 balls – A debut to remember, providing the spark for DC’s comeback.
Turning Points
- LSG’s Collapse: After dominating at 161/2, losing 6 wickets for 48 runs in the final overs handed DC a lifeline.
- DC’s Early Woes: Three wickets in the first 10 balls put DC on the back foot, making the chase look impossible.
- Ashutosh-Nigam Partnership: Their counterattack shifted momentum when all seemed lost.
- Final Over Drama: Pant’s missed stumping and Ashutosh’s six off Shahbaz Ahmed turned the game in DC’s favor.
What’s Next?
DC’s thrilling win sets the tone for their IPL 2025 campaign under Axar Patel’s leadership, while LSG will rue their inability to close out the game despite a strong start. The Super Giants, hampered by injuries to key pacers like Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan, will look to regroup quickly. For DC, Ashutosh Sharma’s emergence as a finisher could be a game-changer this season.
This match was a testament to the unpredictability of T20 cricket—where fortunes can swing in a matter of overs. IPL 2025 is off to a roaring start, and if this game is anything to go by, we’re in for an exhilarating ride!