The IPL 2025 season delivered its first nail-biter on March 24, 2025, as Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a sensational one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Chasing a daunting 210, DC looked down and out at 65/5, but a heroic performance from Ashutosh Sharma and some clutch contributions turned the game on its head. Here’s a look at the top performers and key moments from this electrifying clash.
LSG Sets a Mammoth Target of 210
The tone for the match was set early when DC captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bowl. LSG’s batting firepower came alive, with Mitchell Marsh (72 off 41 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (75 off 34 balls) leading the charge. Marsh’s aggressive strokeplay, including six fours and four sixes, gave LSG a blazing start, while Pooran’s onslaught—featuring four consecutive sixes off Tristan Stubbs in the 13th over—threatened to take the game away. At 161/2 after 13 overs, LSG seemed destined for a score well beyond 230.
However, DC’s spinners staged a remarkable fightback. Kuldeep Yadav (2/38) and Axar Patel tightened the screws, triggering a collapse of 6 wickets for just 48 runs in the final seven overs. Mitchell Starc (3/42) cleaned up the tail with pinpoint yorkers, restricting LSG to 209/8. David Miller’s late cameo (18* off 8) added some gloss, but the momentum had shifted.
DC’s Rocky Start Turns Into a Miracle Chase
Chasing 210, DC’s innings got off to a horror start. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (4) and Faf du Plessis (12) fell early, followed by Abishek Porel (0) and Sameer Rizvi (2), leaving them reeling at 7/3 in just 2.2 overs. When Axar Patel (18) departed at 65/5, the game looked all but over for DC. LSG’s bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur (2/45) and debutant Digvesh Rathi (2/33), were in complete control.
Enter Ashutosh Sharma, the impact substitute who turned the match into his personal stage. Smashing 66* off 31 balls, with five fours and five sixes, Sharma’s fearless hitting kept DC alive. A key moment came in the 17th over when he and debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15) plundered 20 runs off Prince Yadav, reducing the equation to 42 off 24 balls. Nigam’s quickfire knock ended in the 19th over, but Sharma stayed calm, finishing the game with a towering six off Shahbaz Ahmed with three balls to spare. DC ended at 210/9, winning by one wicket.
Top Performers of the Match
- Ashutosh Sharma (DC): The undisputed hero with an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award.
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG): Blasted 75 off 34 balls, including a 28-run over, setting the foundation for LSG’s total.
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG): Scored 72 off 41 balls, providing early momentum with a mix of power and precision.
- Mitchell Starc (DC): Took 3/42, including crucial wickets in the death overs to cap LSG’s scoring.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
- Pooran’s Explosive Over: Nicholas Pooran’s four consecutive sixes off Tristan Stubbs in the 13th over took LSG to 161/2, putting DC under immense pressure.
- DC’s Spin Fightback: Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel’s disciplined bowling sparked a collapse, turning 161/2 into 209/8.
- Early Collapse for DC: Losing three wickets for seven runs in the first three overs left DC staring at defeat.
- Sharma-Nigam Partnership: The 55-run stand between Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam in just 4.1 overs reignited DC’s chase.
- The Final Blow: Sharma’s match-winning six in the 20th over sealed a dramatic victory for DC.
What’s Next?
This thrilling win gives Delhi Capitals early momentum in IPL 2025, while Lucknow Super Giants will rue their inability to close out the game despite a strong start. LSG’s injury-hit pace attack struggled, and they’ll need to regroup quickly before facing Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27. DC, meanwhile, will look to build on this confidence as they prepare for their next challenge.
For fans, this match was a reminder of why the IPL remains the world’s most unpredictable T20 league—full of twists, turns, and unforgettable heroics.
