Lucknow, Apr 22 (UNI) Delhi Capitals cruised to an 8-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 40 of the IPL 2025, chasing down a target of 160 with ease in just 17.5 overs at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium on Tuesday.
KL Rahul played a starring role, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 42 balls, which included three fours and three sixes. His timely contributions included a delightful flick off Prince Yadav in the 17th over to bring up his half-century, much to the delight of the spectators, as Delhi closed in on victory. Rahul's six off Yadav in the 18th over sealed the game in style.
Alongside him, captain Axar Patel made a brisk 34* off 20 balls, smashing four sixes. One of his sixes came off a full delivery from Digvesh Rathi, clearing the cow corner with ease, and another off a juicy slower ball from Shardul Thakur, helping Delhi maintain a steady chase.
Earlier, Lucknow had been restricted to 159/6 after Delhi elected to bowl first. Mukesh Kumar's sensational final spell, which included two wickets in the last over, set the stage for Delhi’s victory. Mukesh finished with figures of 4 for 33, including key dismissals of Ayush Badoni (36 off 21) and Rishabh Pant (bowled for a duck).
LSG’s innings had been anchored by Aiden Markram, who top-scored with 52 off 33 balls, including three sixes. However, after Markram's departure in the 10th over, the lower order crumbled. Abdul Samad was caught by Mukesh off his own bowling, while Mitchell Marsh, who had made 45 off 36, was dismissed by a superb yorker from Mukesh.
In the death overs, young Badoni added some flair with his quickfire 36, but his efforts were not enough to put LSG in a commanding position. Pant’s surprising dismissal in the 17th over, trying to reverse-sweep, capped off a disappointing finish for LSG.
David Miller remained unbeaten on 14* (15 balls), but with little support from the lower order, LSG fell short.
Delhi's bowlers, led by clinical death bowling of Mukesh, ensured that the target was well within reach for their batsmen. Starc and Chameera also contributed with a wicket each, while Axar bowled economically, conceding just 29 runs in his four overs.
With this win, Delhi Capitals solidified their position in the race for the playoffs as they moved up the points table.
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