Register a nail biting 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their final league game

Delhi Capitals wrapped up their league campaign with a thrilling 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants, after setting a target of 209 in the ongoing TATA IPL 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday night. In the process. In the process the seventh Rishabh Pant led side registered their seventh win in 14 games and kept their dreams alive for a place in the play-offs, much to the delight of their huge home fan base.

Put in to bat the hosts powered by Abishek Porel (58 off 33 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (57 off 25 balls) quick fire half century on either half of the innings, coupled with useful thirty’s by  Shai Hope and Rishabh Pant ensured DC score 208 for 4 in their allotted overs.

Later a three wicket haul by veteran pacer Ishant Sharma including that of LSG skipper KL Rahul in his first over saw the visitors being reduced to 59 for 4 at the end of the powerplay. LSG though were kept in hunt in the 200 plus run chase by fighting fifties by south paws Nicholas Pooran and Arshad Khan. Dismissal of the duo at crucial junctures in the face of some excellent fielding by the home team saw them score 189 for 9 in the end.

DC’s latest win paved the way for Rajasthan Royals becoming the second team to qualify for IPL 2024 play-offs, after KKR. In addition DC will now have to depend on other results in order to qualify for the play-offs, while LSG still have a game in hand.

Ishant Sharma who was named the Player of the Match post the match credited the knuckleball for his success in recent games and said” The decision to incorporate variations including bowling the knuckleball in recent games, though it wasn't going well paved off. In the last match I got Orange Cap holder Virat Kohli (RCB) out and tonight it was the turn of KL Rahul. As a fast bowler with years of experience, I take it day by day. Big thanks to Patrick; because of him, I’ve been able to play nine matches despite an injury earlier. After defeats, we had discussions to strategize. Winning close games boosts confidence, and we aim to carry that momentum forward."

Addressing the post-match press conference, Delhi Capitals' Assistant Coach Pravin Amre reflected on the team's campaign. He highlighted, "There are many positives. Jake (despite a rare failure is a good find, Stubbs is a good find and Porel is a find for us. Rasikh contributed well in the last four games. An Indian bowler contributing is something special."

"All our Indian bowlers did a good job. The way Khaleel, Ishant and Mukesh bowled, was very positive for us as a franchise. This year is special simply because we won many games at home and the support we got. Special thanks to the crowd," he added.

Speaking about Stubbs' contribution to the team's win, the former Indian Amre said, "He is someone who can play the spinners well as well. That was the biggest plus we saw. He's hungry for success, composed, makes a routine for himself and is very focused. In so many matches he has got 20-22 balls fifty, even in today's game, in the 19th over he got us 20 runs that mattered in today's victory."

Amre also heaped praise on Ishant's match-winning contribution with the ball. He said, "Getting three wickets in the powerplay speaks volumes. He's the guy who has played 100 test matches, always loves to play and knows how to bowl on a Delhi wicket. I'm very happy for him, whatever the opportunity he got, he has done well for us."

Brief Scores:

Delhi Capitals – 208/4 in 20 Overs (Abishek Porel 58 (33b: 5x4s, 4x6s), Tristan Stubbs 57* (25b: 3x4s, 4x6s), Shai Hope 38 (27b: 3x4s, 2x6s), Rishabh Pant 33 (23b: 5x4s); Naveen-ul-Haq 2/51, Ravi Bishnoi 1/26, Arshad Khan 1/45) beat Lucknow Super Giants – 189/9 in 20 Overs (Nicholas Pooran 61 (27b: 6x4s, 4x6s), Arshad Khan 58* (33b: 3x4s, 5x6s), Yudhvir Singh Charak 14 (7b: 1x4, 1x6); Ishant Sharma 3/34, Tristan Stubbs 1/ 4, Axar Patel 1/20, Khaleel Ahmed 1/22, Mukesh Kumar 1/33, Kuldeep Yadav 1/33) by 19 runs. Player Of The Match: Ishant Sharma (Delhi Capitals)

Photo Above : Delhi Capitals veteran pacer Ishant Sharma celebrates the dismissal of one the three LSG top order batters inside powerplay, was named the Player of the Match in his team’s final IPL league game (Photo courtesy BCCI)