Mukesh Kumar emerged as the star performer, striking twice in a single over to remove Marsh and Abdul Samad (2 off 8)
Pic: iplt20/BCCI
Lucknow Super Giants endured a stuttering innings as Delhi Capitals’ pace attack, led by the crafty Mukesh Kumar, reduced them to a modest 159 for 6 in their IPL clash on Tuesday. Despite being well-placed at 87 for 1 after 10 overs, LSG faltered dramatically, managing just 72 runs in the back half of their innings, marking their lowest team total in the tournament so far.
Delhi’s pace trio, Mukesh Kumar (4/33), Mitchell Starc (1/25), and Dushmantha Chameera (1/25), executed their variations with surgical precision, exploiting the pitch’s nuances with clever changes in pace and length. Each of them adapted brilliantly, shifting from fuller deliveries to off-pace cutters, choking the flow of runs and inducing errors from the LSG batters.
Aiden Markram top-scored with a fluent 52 off 33 balls, anchoring the innings with composure. Partnering with Mitchell Marsh (45 off 36), the pair added solidity at the top, especially during the Powerplay, as the ball came onto the bat nicely. However, the momentum they built evaporated once Delhi’s bowlers adjusted their strategy to match the conditions.
Chameera struck the initial blow by removing Markram with a fuller delivery that the South African sliced straight to deep cover. But it was Mitchell Starc who delivered a decisive moment, outwitting Nicholas Pooran (9) with a cunning slower bouncer. Anticipating Pooran’s aggression, Starc took the pace off and forced a mistimed pull shot that ricocheted off the inside edge onto the stumps.
Rishabh Pant’s injured palm also hampered LSG’s effort with the bat. The Delhi skipper came in unusually low at No. 7 and lasted just two balls, departing for a duck. His limited involvement mirrored the team’s waning control during the death overs.
Mukesh Kumar emerged as the star performer, striking twice in a single over to remove Marsh and Abdul Samad (2 off 8). His well-disguised variations, especially the dipping slower balls, proved too deceptive for LSG’s middle-order.
Ayush Badoni’s enterprising 36 off 21 balls offered a late flourish, but the damage had been done. Despite his clever stroke play and composure, LSG fell significantly short of a par score on the typically challenging Ekana Stadium surface, giving Delhi Capitals a strong foothold in the contest.
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