In a thrilling encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious by 19 runs, with skipper Rishabh Pant admitting to the challenge posed by LSG’s Nicholas Pooran.
Ishant Sharma’s remarkable bowling spell combined with a strong performance in the death overs by DC’s bowlers thwarted a valiant effort by Nicholas Pooran and Arshad Khan, securing the win for Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
DC’s triumph propels them to the fifth position in the IPL standings, with seven wins, seven losses, and 14 points. LSG, on the other hand, occupies the seventh spot with six wins, seven losses, and 12 points. Both teams’ playoff prospects hinge on the outcomes of other remaining fixtures.
Reflecting on the match, Pant remarked, “Pooran was giving us a hard time, with the kind of calibre he has. But we had certain plans.”
Addressing DC’s tumultuous season and his personal return to the field after a car accident in December 2022, Pant noted, “We started the season with a lot of hope, but there were injuries and ups and downs. But as a franchise, you can’t complain all the time; you have to make use of what you have… There are some things which you can control, but some things that you cannot. Personally, it was fantastic to come back on the field. The kind of support I got from the whole of India was heartening to see. It was a long time to wait.”
Pant’s stellar performance in the tournament saw him amass 446 runs at an average of 40.54 in 13 innings, with a strike rate of 155.40. Additionally, he contributed three fifties, with a top score of 88*. He also showcased his prowess as a wicketkeeper, executing stunning catches and precise stumpings.
In the match against LSG, DC, batting first, posted a formidable total of 208/4 in their 20 overs, propelled by impressive fifties from Stubbs (57* off 25 balls) and Abhishek Porel (58* off 33 balls).
LSG’s run-chase faltered early, with the team reduced to 44/4. Despite spirited half-centuries from Pooran (61 off 27 balls) and Arshad Khan (58* off 33 balls), DC’s disciplined bowling in the death overs restricted LSG to 189/9.
Ishant Sharma’s stellar performance with the ball earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award, finishing with figures of 3/34.
