DPL 2026: Doseja's 84 and Gusain's all-round show power West Delhi Lions past New Delhi Tigers
Synopsis
Defending champions West Delhi Lions made a statement on the opening day of DPL 2026 — stand-in skipper Ayush Doseja's classy 84 and Mayank Gusain's death-over blitz set up 170/5, and then the bowling attack dismantled the Tigers for 151, with a top-order collapse at 28/4 inside the Powerplay proving fatal for the chase.
Key Takeaways
West Delhi Lions beat New Delhi Tigers by 19 runs in their DPL 2026 season opener on 2 August 2026 .
Stand-in skipper Ayush Doseja scored 84 off 52 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) to anchor the Lions' innings.
Mayank Gusain hit an unbeaten 46 off 35 balls with four sixes and also claimed 2 wickets .
New Delhi Tigers collapsed to 28 for 4 inside the Powerplay, effectively ending their chase.
Kulwant Khejroliya (3/25) and Manan Bhardwaj (3/20) led the Lions' bowling attack.
Manish Sehrawat's 26-ball 51 was the only significant resistance for the Tigers, but came too late.
Stand-in skipper Ayush Doseja struck a commanding 84 off 52 balls and Mayank Gusain delivered a match-winning all-round performance as defending champions West Delhi Lions opened their 2026 Delhi Premier League (DPL) campaign with a 19-run victory over the New Delhi Tigers in New Delhi on 2 August 2026. The Lions posted 170/5 and then bowled the Tigers out for 151 to claim a dominant season-opening win.
Lions Build a Competitive Total
Sent in to bat, West Delhi made a shaky start when openers Krish Yadav and Ankit Kumar fell cheaply to Pradyuman Sanan and Hrithik Shokeen respectively. Doseja steadied the innings with composure, stitching vital partnerships with Vikas Rana and Gusain. His knock — laced with 10 boundaries and 2 sixes — anchored the Lions' innings through the middle overs.
Gusain then shifted gears dramatically in the death overs, smashing four massive sixes en route to an unbeaten 46 off 35 balls, propelling West Delhi to a competitive 170/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Tigers Collapse in the Powerplay
The Tigers' chase was derailed almost immediately. A top-order collapse left them reeling at 28 for 4 inside the Powerplay, putting them under enormous pressure from the outset. Aryan Sharma (31) and Vaibhav Rawal (31) attempted to rebuild with a 41-run partnership, but spinner Manan Bhardwaj broke the stand with a double strike in two balls — removing Sharma and then dismissing Hrithik Shokeen for a golden duck.
Sehrawat's Blitz Comes Too Late
Manish Sehrawat offered the only meaningful late resistance, blazing a 26-ball 51 that briefly threatened to bring the game back into contention. However, the Lions held their nerve in the closing stages, and the Tigers ultimately fell 19 runs short, finishing on 151 in 20 overs.
Bowling Effort Seals the Deal
Kulwant Khejroliya was the pick of the West Delhi bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 25, while Bhardwaj chipped in with 3 for 20. Gusain and Shubham Dubey each contributed 2 wickets, underlining the collective bowling effort that made the Lions' total of 170 more than sufficient.
Brief Scores: West Delhi Lions 170/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Doseja 84, Mayank Gusain 46*; Hrithik Shokeen 2-24) beat New Delhi Tigers 151 in 20 overs (Manish Sehrawat 51, Aryan Sharma 31; Kulwant Khejroliya 3/25, Manan Bhardwaj 3/20) by 19 runs. As the DPL 2026 gets underway, West Delhi Lions will look to build on this confident start and defend their title in the matches ahead.
Point of View
But a lower-order rescue act rarely wins T20 titles. The Lions, meanwhile, look balanced across departments from ball one — a worrying sign for the rest of the DPL field.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the West Delhi Lions vs New Delhi Tigers DPL 2026 match?
West Delhi Lions won by 19 runs, posting 170/5 and restricting New Delhi Tigers to 151 in 20 overs. It was the Lions' opening match of the 2026 Delhi Premier League.
How did Ayush Doseja perform in the DPL 2026 opener?
Stand-in skipper Ayush Doseja scored 84 off 52 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and 2 sixes to anchor West Delhi Lions' innings. His knock was the foundation of the team's competitive total of 170/5.
What was Mayank Gusain's contribution in the match?
Mayank Gusain contributed with both bat and ball — he scored an unbeaten 46 off 35 balls, including four sixes in the death overs, and also picked up 2 wickets in the bowling innings, earning recognition as the match's standout all-rounder.
Why did New Delhi Tigers lose the DPL 2026 opener?
The Tigers suffered a top-order collapse, falling to 28 for 4 inside the Powerplay, which made their 171-run target virtually unreachable. Despite Manish Sehrawat's 51 off 26 balls, the early damage proved too much to overcome.
Who were the top bowlers for West Delhi Lions against New Delhi Tigers?
Kulwant Khejroliya took 3 wickets for 25 runs and Manan Bhardwaj took 3 for 20, with both triggering key breakthroughs. Gusain and Shubham Dubey each claimed 2 wickets to complete a comprehensive bowling performance.
