DC vs LSG, IPL 2025 Highlights: Ashutosh powers Delhi to improbable win in first thriller of the season

DC vs LSG, IPL 2025 Highlights: Ashutosh Sharma pulled the rug out from under LSG's feet

DC vs LSG, IPL 2025 Highlights: Ashutosh Sharma seems to have simply picked up from where he left off at the Punjab Kings, leading Delhi Capitals to victory almost single-handedly against Lucknow Super Giants in a chase of 210. Delhi Capitals' chase seemed to have been over even before it started as they lost half their side in just the first seven overs. Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma gave them hope. Nigam smashed 39 in 15 balls and Ashutosh is now continuing the good fight for DC. He raised a half-century in 28 balls.

Lucknow Super Giants got to a score of 209/8 in 20 overs despite being 161/2 in the 14th over at one point. DC put up an almighty squeeze after Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh's carnage ended. Pooran and Marsh put up a partnership of 87 runs in just 42 balls. Marsh scored 72 in 36 balls while Pooran made 75 in 30. Captain Rishabh Pant, however, fell for a duck on debut and it was all downhill for LSG with the bat from there.

Mitchell Starc's dismissal of the Marsh gave Delhi Capitals an opportunity to limit LSG to a chaseable total. Pooran smashed 75 in 30 balls but was cleaned up by Starc in the 15th over. Marsh was earlier dismissed for 72 off 36 balls by Mukesh Kumar.

Axar Patel earlier won his first toss as Delhi Capitals captain and chose to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants. KL Rahul's DC debut has been delayed, he is not available for this match against his former side. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul's moves were among the biggest headline-makers during the mega auction and they both start their time with their new sides with a game against the teams that let them go. Quite a poetic start for both big-ticket players and the two sides they are playing for this season. It has to be noted, though, that there are question marks over whether Rahul will play at all today.

Delhi Capitals are hosting the Lucknow Super Giants to start off their 2025 IPL campaign but the game isn't exactly happening in Delhi itself. Instead, it Visakhapatnam is the venue for today's game, making it the second consecutive year that the DC has chosen the port city as their secondary home.

On paper, LSG arguably boast the most dangerous middle order in the league but it will be interesting to see if they keep Pant in there or send him out earlier, even as an opener. The obvious opening choices are Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh but a lack of an opening domestic option could hurt them given their injuries. Chances are high that Pant will be batting at No.3, with the wicketkeeper-batter generally looking much more at home in the top order in limited overs cricket.

Nicholas Pooran, who will be hoping he doesn’t have to carry the hopes of the batting himself, will come in at No.4. He will also have the insurance of the big-hitting David Miller to come in after him. The batting could be rounded out at number six by Abdul Samad as the specialist finisher, with Ayush Badoni figuring as the floating pinch-hit option.

As stated earlier, it remains to be seen whether Rahul will make his debut for DC, with captain Axar Patel remaining non-committal in the pre-match presser. "Obviously, he joined the team and we all know that he has a personal problem. So, we don't know yet. So, if he comes back, we ask him if he is okay and we'll let you know tomorrow morning. I think we've got to know and so, now we don't know if he is available or not,” said Axar.

If Rahul plays, he will be slotting in at No.4. Surely the opening pair for DC is going to be Faf du Plessis and the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk. At number three, DC might opt to go with Abhishek Porel. Powerful South African Tristan Stubbs can be pencilled in at number 5, but DC will know the option of promoting Axar Patel, particularly on turning tracks, in a role he has played to perfection across formats for India.

Here are some pointers to DC vs LSG, IPL 2025:

- DC beat LSG by one wicket

- Ashutosh Sharma smashed a half-century in 28 balls

- LSG set a target of 210 for DC to chase

- Mitchell Marsh scored his half-century in 21 balls

- LSG 64/1 after six overs

- Axar Patel won the toss and DC are bowling first

- KL Rahul is unavailable for the match

- DC are playing their first two home games of the season in Visakhapatnam