IPL 2025: Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics Power Delhi Capitals to Thrilling One-Wicket Win Over Lucknow Super Giants
IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Edge Out Lucknow Super Giants in a Thrilling Vizag Clash
Visakhapatnam, March 24, 2025 – The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 kicked off with a nail-biter as Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched a dramatic one-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 4 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. The high-octane encounter, held under the Vizag lights, showcased explosive batting, tactical bowling, and a rollercoaster finish that had fans on the edge of their seats.
A Tale of Two Innings
LSG, led by their new captain Rishabh Pant—acquired for a record-breaking INR 27 crore—started strongly after DC skipper Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bowl. Openers Mitchell Marsh (72 off 19 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (75) set the tone with blistering fifties, propelling LSG to a commanding position.
At one point, a total exceeding 250 seemed on the cards. However, DC’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav (2/20) and Mitchell Starc (3/42), triggered a late collapse, restricting LSG to 209/8. Pant’s duck and a flurry of quick wickets in the death overs shifted momentum back to DC.
Chasing 210, DC stumbled early, slumping to 65/5 as LSG’s bowlers, including debutant Digvesh Rathi and Ravi Bishnoi, dismantled the top order. Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk fell cheaply, leaving DC in dire straits. But the tide turned with an inspired counterattack from uncapped star Ashutosh Sharma (66* off 31 balls) and debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15).
Sharma’s fearless hitting, including a barrage of sixes, and Nigam’s quickfire cameo revived DC’s hopes. With 97 needed off the last 45 balls, the game seemed lost—until Sharma scripted a historic chase, guiding DC to their highest-ever IPL run chase with three balls to spare.
IPL 2025: Key Moments and Standout Performers
- Marsh and Pooran’s Powerplay Blitz: LSG’s 64/1 in the first six overs set a daunting tone, with Marsh’s 43 in the powerplay being his best-ever IPL start in that phase.
- Kuldeep’s Spin Magic: The wrist-spinner’s tight spell turned the game, dismissing Pant and Ayush Badoni in quick succession.
- Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics: The former Punjab Kings batter’s unbeaten 66, laced with clutch boundaries and towering sixes, stole the show, marking him as a breakout star of IPL 2025.
- Last-Over Drama: Needing 7 runs off the final over, Sharma held his nerve against Shardul Thakur to seal the win, sparking wild celebrations in the DC camp.
Score Chart
Lucknow Super Giants Innings: 209/8 (20 overs)
Overs | Score | Wickets | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
0-5 | 64/1 | 1 | Marsh’s 43 in powerplay, Markram out (15) |
6-10 | 133/2 | 2 | Marsh (72) falls to Mukesh Kumar |
11-15 | 169/4 | 4 | Pooran (75) out, Pant duck (0) to Kuldeep |
16-20 | 209/8 | 8 | Starc’s 3-fer, Miller’s late 6s |
Batting Highlights:
Mitchell Marsh 72 (19), Nicholas Pooran 75 (?), David Miller 18* (?)
Bowling Highlights:
Mitchell Starc 3/42, Kuldeep Yadav 2/20, Mukesh Kumar 1/?
Delhi Capitals Innings: 211/9 (19.3 overs)
Overs | Score | Wickets | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
0-5 | 25/4 | 4 | Fraser-McGurk (1), du Plessis (5) out early |
6-10 | 65/5 | 5 | Bishnoi strikes, DC in trouble |
11-15 | 137/6 | 6 | Sharma-Nigam 55-run stand, Nigam (39) out |
16-19.3 | 211/9 | 9 | Sharma’s 66* (31), wins with a 6 |
- Batting Highlights: Ashutosh Sharma 66* (31), Vipraj Nigam 39 (15), Tristan Stubbs 34 (?)
- Bowling Highlights: Ravi Bishnoi 1/53, Shardul Thakur 1/?, Digvesh Rathi 1/?
INJECTTTTT!!! 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/vvrnPmiK2d
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 24, 2025
Captains’ Take
Post-match, Axar Patel credited his team’s resilience: “We knew Vizag could offer a high-scoring game, but the bowlers pulled it back brilliantly. Ashutosh and Vipraj showed what this team is capable of.” Meanwhile, Pant, facing his former franchise, remained optimistic despite the loss: “209 was a good total, but DC batted exceptionally in the end. We’ll bounce back stronger.”
What’s Next?
The victory gives DC an early boost in their IPL 2025 campaign, while LSG will look to regroup with their potent batting lineup. DC’s bowling depth and newfound finishing prowess signal their intent, but LSG’s injury-hit pace attack remains a concern, with Mohsin Khan already ruled out for the season.
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As the IPL caravan rolls on, this thriller sets the tone for what promises to be an electrifying season. Stay tuned for more updates as Delhi Capitals take on their next challenge, and Lucknow Super Giants aim to roar back into contention.
Published: March 24, 2025,
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