Ashutosh Sharma proved to be Delhi Capitals' hero on his debut for the franchise in IPL 2025's first North Indian derby. The ex-Punjab Kings star hit 66 off just 31 balls to help Delhi successfully complete a 210-run chase and begin their campaign on a winning note. Ashutosh's rapid blitz helped Delhi recover from 7 for 3 and complete the chase.
Delhi Capitals were in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 7 for 3 and then 65 for 5. The top-order was blown away by Shardul Thakur-led inexperienced bowling line-up.
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When Lucknow Super Giants walked onto the field without one frontline pacer of repute, they were expected to struggle. Rishabh Pant had a big headache to deal with as three of their frontline pacers - Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep and Mohsin Khan, were out with injuries. In fact, they got Shardul as replacement for Mohsin, who was ruled out of the season.
LSG had the option of bringing in Shamar Joseph, but they packed their batting line-up with big-hitting overseas stars -- Aiden Markam, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller and Mitchell Marsh, who played as a pure batter.
Yet, the Lucknow bowling unit punched above its weight, making full use of the cushion of 209 runs.
Shardul struck twice in the first over, removing the dangerous Jake-Fraser McGurk. The Australian youngster's lack of form showed as sliced a length ball into the hands of the long-off fielder. The delivery was there to be hit, but JFM missed out, getting out for 1.
Wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel was Shardul's second wicket in the over. The left-hander tried a lofted shot over covers, but he found Nicholas Pooran on the edge of the ring.
At 2 for 2, Delhi Capitals' camp looked nervous and panic started to set in when they lost Sameer Rizvi, who was making his debut for them. The ex-Chennai Super Kings star hit a boundary to start his innings, but was undone by a beauty from M Siddharth.
Rishabh Pant was proactive with his captaincy as he used his spinners in the powerplay. He did not give Shardul another over after the double strike in the previous over and went for mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi.
Axar Patel walked in at No. 5, trying to take things in his own hands. He partnered Faf du Plessis, who counter-attacked in the powerplay, putting pressure on the two young LSG spinners -- Siddharth and Digvesh.
Axar and Du Plessis steadied the ship, adding 43 runs in the powerplay. However, the Delhi Capitals captain threw it away, sweeping a delivery from Digvesh straight into the hands of the short fine-leg fielder in the final over of the powerplay.
Published By:
Akshay Ramesh
Published On:
Mar 24, 2025
English (US) ·