Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 8 wickets in the 40th match of IPL 2025 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The bowlers of Delhi Capitals bowled with discipline to restrict LSG to 159/6 and set the stage for their side. Mukesh Kumar led the bowling attack with figures of 4/33. With the help of superb innings from Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, and Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals chased the target with ease.
LSG Started Aggressively
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first. Axar Patel opened the attack and gave away just 3 runs in the first over. Mitchell Starc bowled from the other end. Aiden Markram hit a six on the fourth ball. After 2 overs, LSG reached 12/0.
Marsh struck a boundary in the third over. Mukesh Kumar came in next and was welcomed by Markram with a boundary and a six. LSG moved to 31/0 after 4 overs. Axar Patel returned for the fifth over and gave away 9 runs, with Marsh getting another boundary. Chameera bowled the sixth over. Marsh smashed a six and took a single on the fifth ball to complete 50 runs for LSG. After the powerplay, LSG were 51/0. Markram stood at 30* (20), and Marsh at 21* (16).
Markram Reaches Fifty, Then Falls
Axar bowled the 7th over, giving away 10 runs. Markram added another boundary. In the 8th over, Vipraj Nigam gave away 14 runs as Markram hit a six and a four. At 75/0 after 8 overs, LSG were cruising.
However, the momentum slightly dipped when Starc returned for the 9th over and restricted the scoring to just 7 runs. Soon after, Markram brought up his half-century in just 30 balls, showcasing aggressive intent. But the celebration was short-lived. On the final delivery of the 10th over, Chameera got the breakthrough by dismissing Markram for 52 off 33 balls. At the halfway mark, LSG were 87/1.
Middle Overs Struggle
Moving into the second half, Kuldeep Yadav bowled the 11th over and gave away 11 runs as Pooran hit back-to-back boundaries. Yet, Delhi struck again in the next over. Mitchell Starc removed Pooran for just 9 runs, putting pressure back on LSG. Abdul Samad then walked in at No. 4. However, the run flow dried up, with just 1 run coming from that over. Kuldeep returned to bowl the 13th and conceded 8 runs. Meanwhile, LSG managed to cross the 100-run mark. After 13 overs, they stood at 107/2.
DC Bowlers Trigger a Collapse
Mukesh Kumar bowled a brilliant 14th over. He removed Samad and Marsh in the same over, conceding just 3 runs. Marsh scored 45 off 36. David Miller and impact sub Ayush Badoni took charge. Kuldeep’s next over went for 8. LSG were 118/4 after 15 overs.
Badoni Fights Back Late
Mukesh Kumar returned to bowl the 16th over. Although Stubbs dropped Badoni early in the over, the batter capitalized with a boundary. However, only 6 runs came from the over. Next, Kuldeep Yadav bowled the 17th and continued the pressure by conceding just 6 runs. Then, Chameera took charge of the 18th over and gave away 9 runs. Starc followed with the 19th over, which went for only 8 runs. As a result, LSG stood at 147/4 with just one over remaining.
Mukesh Kumar came on to bowl the last over. Badoni started strong, smashing three consecutive boundaries. However, he lost his wicket soon after, scoring 36 off 21 balls. Finally, Mukesh Kumar also dismissed Rishabh Pant on the last ball. Consequently, LSG ended their innings at 159/7. David Miller remained unbeaten on 14 off 15 balls.
DC Start the Chase Strongly
Abhishek Porel and Karun Nair opened for Delhi. Shardul Thakur bowled the first over. Both openers found the boundary, and DC scored 15 runs from it. Porel hit another boundary in the 2nd over bowled by Digvesh Singh. Prince Yadav gave away 7 runs in the 3rd. DC reached 28/0.
Markram bowled the 4th over. Nair hit a six but fell on the next ball. He scored 15 off 9 balls. KL Rahul came in at No. 3. 10 runs and a wicket came from the over. After 5 overs, DC were at 38/1. Avesh Khan came in for the 6th and gave away boundaries to both batters. DC were 55/1 after the powerplay. Porel was on 25* (17) and Rahul on 11* (10).
Porel Leads the Chase
Digvesh and Bishnoi bowled tight overs as DC moved to 66/1 after 8. Only 3 runs came in the 9th. Porel broke the shackles in the 10th with a boundary. DC reached 80/1 at the halfway mark. Porel stood at 43* (31), while Rahul was at 19* (20).
Porel and Rahul Dominate
Porel smashed a six in the 11th over bowled by Bishnoi, reaching his fifty in 33 balls. Rahul also hit a six. 16 runs came from the over. In the next over, Rahul hit another six as DC crossed 100. However, Markram dismissed Porel for 51 (36). Axar Patel joined Rahul. DC were 105/2 after 12.
Axar and Rahul Seal the Win
Avesh bowled the 13th and gave just 3 runs. Bishnoi’s 14th over went for 12 runs as Axar hit two sixes. Avesh returned for the 15th, and Axar hit a boundary. DC were 127/2. In the 16th over, Rahul smashed a four and Axar hit a six. 14 runs came from it. DC were 141/2. In the 17th over, Patel got a life as Yadav dropped a catch. He hit a six to take DC past 150.
Rahul brought up his half-century in the 18th over with a single. He reached it in 40 balls. He finished the match in style with a six on the 5th ball. DC chased down the target in 17.5 overs. Rahul remained unbeaten on 57 off 42 balls. Axar Patel stayed not out on 34 off 20.