Delhi Capitals (DC) edged past Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by one wicket in their IPL 2025 opener at Visakhapatnam. Chasing 210, DC looked out of the contest before Ashutosh Sharma’s stunning 66* off 31 balls turned the tide. DC finished on 211 for 9 with three balls to spare, leaving LSG’s Rishabh Pant stunned.
LSG posted 209 for 8 after Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30) and Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36) dominated. The pair added 147 off 66 balls, taking LSG to 161 for 2 after 13 overs. However, Mitchell Starc (3 for 42) and Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 20) pulled things back by conceding only 48 runs in the last seven overs while taking six wickets.
DC’s chase started disastrously as they slumped to 7 for 3. Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis provided some stability, but DC was reeling at 65 for 5 in the seventh over. Debutant Vipraj Nigam sparked a turnaround, smashing 39 off 15 balls after coming in at No. 8 with 97 needed off 45 balls. He fell with 42 required off 23, but Ashutosh took charge.
Ashutosh, Punjab Kings’ finisher in IPL 2024, had struggled in crunch situations previously. However, this time, he delivered under pressure. He shifted gears with 62 needed off 30 balls and hammered 46 off his next 11 deliveries. With two wickets left, Ashutosh smashed Prince Yadav for a six and a four to bring DC close.
Needing six in the final over, No. 11 Mohit Sharma survived an LBW review before taking a single. Ashutosh then launched Shahbaz Ahmed straight down the ground to seal the win.
Earlier, LSG’s bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur and M Siddharth, reduced DC to 7 for 3. But Ashutosh’s heroics ensured a sensational start to DC’s campaign.
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