KL Rahul special forces Rishabh Pant's LSG to capitulate against DC 2nd time in IPL 2025

India Today

22-04-2025

Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant just couldn't get it right in his battle against former side Delhi Capitals, while KL Rahul stole the spotlight in his return to Lucknow, proving his worth beyond price tags. In front of his old home crowd, Rahul orchestrated a calm chase to hand DC their second win over LSG this season with a eight-wicket triumph at the Ekana Stadium on April 22.advertisementIn a game that highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both skippers, Pant's frustrating season with LSG continued, while Delhi walked away with two crucial points—taking them level with Gujarat Titans at the top of the IPL 2025 points table. The match was a tale of one team capitalising on momentum and another squandering theirs, with LSG's sudden batting collapse and DC's calculated bowling gambles proving decisive.IPL 2025, LSG vs DC: Highlights
Batting first, LSG had a promising start through the 87-run opening stand between Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. But the middle order once again let them down, failing to build on that platform. As Pant chose to delay his arrival at the crease, the momentum slipped further.Mitchell Starc, continuing his dominance over Nicholas Pooran, triggered the collapse with his dismissal of the dangerous left-hander. The wickets that followed left LSG reeling, until impact sub Ayush Badoni's late 36 off 21 helped push the total to 159. Pant, walking in only for the final two balls, was dismissed for a duck—his second against DC this season. From 87/1 in the 10th over to 159/6 by the end, that's where LSG lost the match.advertisementDespite the early dismissal of an in-form Karun Nair—part of Delhi's fourth opening combination this season—Abhishek Porel took charge with a composed 51 off 36. KL Rahul then stepped in to guide the chase with an unbeaten 57 off 42, becoming the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in IPL history in just 130 innings. DC's innings looked assured throughout, never letting the asking rate creep up.Axar's bowling gambles come goodDC captain Axar Patel's bowling choices raised eyebrows at first but paid off in the end. Choosing to bowl first, Axar opened the attack himself, delivering two overs inside the powerplay. He rotated his resources strategically—giving just one over each to Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and debutant Dushmantha Chameera early on.With both Markram and Marsh not known for their spin prowess, Axar bowled himself out by the 7th over, conceding just 29 runs. The delayed entry of Kuldeep Yadav—brought in only after the 11th over—played a crucial part in breaking LSG's rhythm and eventually dismantling their middle order. The move was turned out best for Mukesh Kumar, who ended up winning the Player of the match award for his 4/33 spell.Pant's panic or a missed opportunity?Pant's late entry, followed by a duck, wasn't the only decision that raised eyebrows. With LSG collapsing after their solid start, it was the ideal time for the skipper to anchor the innings. Instead, Pant waited while the middle order faltered—unlike Axar, who promoted himself to No. 4 to steady DC's chase after Abhishek Porel's dismissal.advertisementAdding to the questionable calls, LSG opted to use Ayush Badoni as a first-innings impact sub in place of Marsh. While Badoni's late surge was valuable, it also meant LSG couldn't bring back Mayank Yadav in the second innings—a call that looked hasty in hindsight. With Mayank's pace an asset on the Ekana pitch, his exclusion—especially when LSG had limited fast-bowling options—further weakened their defense of 160.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!Must Watch
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