Astonishing batting performances by Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam snatched victory from the Lucknow Super Giants, handing Delhi Capitals a thrilling win on Monday.
Sports News: In the very first match of IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals achieved the impossible. After a nail-biting contest that went down to the wire, Delhi defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 1 wicket. The heroes of this victory were young batsmen Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam, who steered their team to victory from a precarious position, culminating in a dramatic win.
Lucknow Posts a Mammoth Total
Batting first at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Lucknow Super Giants set a challenging target of 210 runs. Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh ruthlessly attacked the Delhi bowlers. Pooran smashed 75 runs off 30 balls, including 6 fours and 7 sixes, while Marsh contributed a 72-run knock off 36 balls.
However, Lucknow's middle order crumbled. Stark clean bowled Pooran, sparking a Delhi comeback. David Miller's two sixes in the final over helped Lucknow surpass the 200-run mark. Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets for Delhi, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed 2.
Shardul Thakur Wreaks Havoc
Delhi's chase began disastrously. Opening batsmen Jack Fraser McGurk and Faf du Plessis departed early. Shardul Thakur's lethal bowling delivered two early blows in the first over itself. Axar Patel and du Plessis also failed to make significant contributions, leaving Delhi reeling at 5 wickets for 65 runs.
Ashutosh-Vipraj Turn the Tide
With Tristan Stubbs' dismissal at 113, Delhi's hopes seemed dashed. However, Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam launched a remarkable counter-attack, changing the course of the match. They forged a crucial 55-run partnership off 22 balls, bringing Delhi back into contention. Vipraj fell for 39, but Ashutosh single-handedly orchestrated the victory.
Delhi needed 22 runs from the final two overs. Kuldeep Yadav's run-out in the 19th over added further drama. But Ashutosh smashed a six, a four, and another six in the last three balls of the 18th over, sending shockwaves through the Lucknow camp. With 4 runs needed off the final ball of the last over, Ashutosh hit a towering six, securing a memorable win for his team. He finished unbeaten on 66 off 31 balls, including 5 fours and 5 sixes.
Man of the Match - Ashutosh Sharma
Delhi Capitals achieved the highest successful run chase against Lucknow in IPL history. This victory will boost the confidence of captain Axar Patel and the team. Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant, visibly disappointed, had to face defeat. Ashutosh Sharma was named Man of the Match for his explosive innings. His performance provided Delhi with a spectacular start to the season, and the match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in IPL history.
