In a high-stakes IPL encounter, Delhi Capitals won the match against Lucknow Super Giants despite the fact that they looked down and out for majority part of the match.
Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant expressed disappointment over his team’s bowling in the final overs, believing that the target of 210 should have been defended successfully. However, Delhi Capitals managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by a solitary wicket with three balls to spare.
The match saw a stunning comeback by Delhi, thanks to an explosive unbeaten 66 from Ashutosh Sharma who faced just 31 balls and a blistering 39 off 15 deliveries by Vipraj Nigam. At 113 for 6, Delhi seemed down and out but their fearless approach turned the game around.
Reflecting on the game, Rishabh Pant acknowledged the efforts of his top-order batters in setting up a competitive total. While Lucknow started strong with early breakthroughs, he felt that sticking to the basics in the later stages could have secured them the win. He also credited Delhi’s partnerships, especially those involving Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh and Vipraj, for shifting the momentum.
On the other side, an elated Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel embraced the unpredictable nature of his leadership. He joked that under his captaincy, fans should be prepared for dramatic twists and turns. Addressing his decision to hand an over to Stubbs which proved costly, he remained unfazed, stating that victory would silence any criticism.
Axar also highlighted the changing dynamics of T20 cricket, acknowledging that aggressive batting has become the norm in recent seasons. While Delhi initially struggled with fielding lapses and conceded runs freely in the powerplay, they managed to pull things back just in time.
The night belonged to Ashutosh Sharma, who dedicated his Player of the Match award to his mentor Shikhar Dhawan. He praised Vipraj for his composure under pressure, crediting him for attacking early on when he himself struggled to find rhythm.
Reflecting on his past experiences, Ashutosh revealed that last season’s failures had fueled his determination. Missing out on finishing games had been a lesson and over the past year, he focused on improving his ability to see matches through to the end. His belief paid off, proving that in cricket, anything is possible if one fights till the last ball.
