IPL 2025: Mukesh Kumar's Four-Wicket Haul Aids DC in Limiting LSG to 159/6

Synopsis

On April 22, Mukesh Kumar's remarkable four-wicket haul played a crucial role in helping Delhi Capitals limit Lucknow Super Giants to 159/6. Despite a strong start from Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, the DC bowlers, especially Mukesh, turned the tide in their favor at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Key Takeaways

Mukesh Kumar took 4 wickets for 33 runs.
Aiden Markram scored 52 runs off 30 balls.
Mitchell Marsh contributed with 45 runs.
Delhi Capitals put LSG under pressure by restricting runs.
Rishabh Pant's batting was brief, lasting only two balls.

Lucknow, April 22 (NationPress) Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar claimed four wickets following a blistering start from Aiden Markram (52) and Mitchell Marsh (45), enabling the Delhi Capitals to restrict the Lucknow Super Giants to 159/6 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Choosing to bowl first in this crucial top-of-the-table match, Axar Patel surprised everyone by leading from the front, taking the new ball and completing his spell within the first seven overs. The DC captain ended with impressive figures of 0-29 in his four overs, which helped limit the onslaught from Markram and Marsh during the power-play phase. However, the duo targeted the pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, and Mukesh Kumar.

Markram reached his half-century in just 30 balls and appeared to be in exceptional form until he attempted to clear Chameera’s outside-off delivery over the long boundary, resulting in a catch by Tristan Stubbs. In a calculated move, Axar introduced his most economical bowler this season, Kuldeep Yadav, but Nicholas Pooran (9) had other plans, hitting him for back-to-back boundaries at the start of his innings.

However, Pooran's stay was short-lived as a slower bouncer from Starc saw him nick the ball onto his stumps, marking the second blow for LSG. This was the fifth time in seven T20 encounters that Starc had dismissed the West Indies powerhouse.

The LSG management opted to promote Abdul Samad (2) to bat at number four, ahead of skipper Rishabh Pant, following his explosive 30 off 10 balls against RR in their previous game.

This strategy, however, backfired as Samad was caught and bowled by Kumar. LSG found themselves in deeper trouble just four deliveries later when a yorker from Kumar bowled out Marsh, sending him back to the pavilion.

With new batters like David Miller (14*) and Ayush Badoni (36) on the crease, the Delhi Capitals intensified the pressure, limiting runs and restricting boundaries, with only four runs scored between the 14th and 19th overs. Badoni did challenge Mukesh Kumar in the final over, hitting three consecutive fours before getting bowled on the fourth delivery.

Finally, after a long wait, LSG supporters witnessed Rishabh Pant's (0) batting, which lasted just two balls. The fans were left disheartened as he was bowled on the final ball of the innings, resulting in LSG recording their lowest score of the season.

Brief score:

Lucknow Super Giants 159/6 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 52, Mitchell Marsh 45, Ayush Badoni 36; Mukesh Kumar 4-33, Mitchell Starc 1-25, Dushmantha Chameera 1-25) against Delhi Capitals