IPL 2025: Ashutosh Sharma Powers Delhi Capitals To 1-Wicket Win Over LSG In Thriller
Ashutosh Sharma’s late heroics earned Delhi Capitals an exhilarating one-wicket win towards Lucknow Tremendous Giants of their Indian Premier League season opener in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
Chasing 210, Delhi Capitals slipped to 7/3 within the second over and limped to 116 for six after 13 overs, however Ashutosh’s gorgeous knock – 66 off 31 balls with 5 sixes and as many fours — delivered his facet a sensational win from the jaws of defeat.
Whilst wickets fell repeatedly in the direction of the tip, Ashutosh stored his composure and executed gorgeous bottom-handed strokes to complete the job for his facet and provides Delhi Capitals a shocking begin to their season.
In a contest the place fortunes swung from one facet to a different, DC emerged on high driving on the calm and composed knock from Ashutosh, who hit the profitable runs as DC made 211/9 in 19.3 overs.
There was a late twist within the story — with six runs wanted off the ultimate over and one wicket left, LSG skipper Rishabh Pant missed a stumping on the primary ball from Shahbaz Ahmed which might have given his facet the win nevertheless it wasn’t meant to be.
LSG, who placed on a below-par complete on a placid floor right here after scoring 209/8, made early inroads to shock Delhi’s chase. A restoration regarded largely troublesome as Delhi Capitals largely appeared extra in damage-control mode than to make an actual crack on the goal.
Nevertheless, the pair of debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Ashutosh threatened to show the tables on LSG with their 55-run stand off solely 22 balls for the seventh wicket, however the second strategic break ended their resistance proper upon resumption.
Nigam fell to Digvesh Rathi (2/30) and Ravi Bishnoi (2/53) dismissed Mitchell Starc for a second wicket in fast succession as LSG tightened the screws on a faltering Delhi Capitals.
However regardless of shedding Starc because the eighth wicket, Ashutosh smacked two sixes and a 4 off Bishnoi within the 18th over and hit 10 extra runs off the ultimate two balls of the penultimate over from Prince Yadav, at the same time as DC misplaced Kuldeep Yadav.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals staged a robust comeback after Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh’s (72) blitz to maintain Lucknow Tremendous Giants to a sub-par 209 for 8. LSG had been no less than 30 runs quick on a great batting observe shedding seven wickets for 61 runs after being 133 for 1 within the twelfth over.
With no help off the pitch, LSG openers went off the blocks shortly with Marsh bludgeoning half dozen of sixes and an equal variety of boundaries, together with a 21-ball fifty for his quickest IPL half-century. Pooran dazzled along with his gorgeous strokeplay to make 75 off solely 30 balls with 7 sixes and 6 fours.
LSG appeared set for a complete in extra of 240 at one stage, however driving on a splendid spell from Kuldeep (4-0-20-2) and Starc’s 3/42, Delhi Capitals utilized brakes on their opponent’s cost with super success.
LSG, who had been cruising at 133 for one within the twelfth over, staggered by way of the second half so as to add solely 76 runs within the final eight overs whereas shedding six wickets.
Marsh took cost early on to 21 runs off the third over from compatriot Starc to make intentions clear. On a placid observe, Marsh made merry as he linked with sheer energy and timing to depart Delhi scrambling for solutions as every of his stroke appeared to have introduced desired outcomes.
A pivotal second within the innings arrived within the seventh over when Sameer Rizvi spilled a regulation catch to present Pooran a reprieve, off Nigam whereas fielding at backward level.
Pooran was belligerent towards spin and tempo alike, clearing the ropes at will to arrange the platform for an enormous complete along with his 87-run stand off 42 balls with Marsh, however LSG squandered it.
There was disappointment in retailer for Pant, who fell for a six-ball duck with Kuldeep, who helped Delhi pull issues again in management. Kuldeep diversified his tempo and used flighted deliveries placing the batters in two minds whether or not to play from the crease or step out.
David Miller fought until the tip however discovered no help as wickets stored tumbling. Nevertheless, his 19-ball 27 with two sixes and a 4 no less than took LSG previous the 200-run mark within the last over.
