In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) set a formidable 210-run target for Delhi Capitals (DC), powered by blistering knocks from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh. The duo’s relentless power-hitting left the Delhi bowlers scrambling for answers on a batting-friendly surface.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Lucknow got off to a steady start with openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. However, it was the middle order that stole the show. Rahul, anchoring the innings with a composed 42 off 35 balls, laid the foundation before falling to a sharp caught-and-bowled by Axar Patel. De Kock contributed a quickfire 28, but Lucknow’s innings truly ignited when Pooran walked in at No. 4.
Pooran, known for his destructive strokeplay, wasted no time, smashing 68 off just 34 balls. His innings included five towering sixes and four boundaries, dismantling Delhi’s pace attack with ease. The left-hander’s assault on Kuldeep Yadav in the 14th over—where he smashed three consecutive sixes—shifted the momentum firmly in Lucknow’s favor.
Mitchell Marsh, batting at No. 5, complemented Pooran perfectly with a brutal 52 off 27 balls. The Australian all-rounder targeted the death overs, hammering Delhi’s seamers with a mix of lofted cover drives and powerful aerial shots. Their 92-run partnership off 52 balls provided the late surge Lucknow needed, propelling them past the 200-run mark.
Delhi’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with only Axar Patel showing some resistance, finishing with figures of 2/38. The rest of the attack, including Khaleel Ahmed and Anrich Nortje, proved expensive, leaking runs at over 10 an over. A few sloppy moments in the field, including a dropped catch off Pooran by Rishabh Pant, didn’t help Delhi’s cause either.
As the innings closed at 209/5 in 20 overs, Lucknow looked in a commanding position. Delhi now face a daunting chase, needing a strong start from their top order to keep their hopes alive. With the pitch still offering plenty for the batsmen, fans are in for a potential run-fest in the second innings. Can Delhi’s big guns rise to the occasion, or will Lucknow’s bowlers defend this mammoth total
