Lucknow Super Giants won their third successive match after defeating Delhi Capitals to move to No.2 in the points table of IPL 2022. Chasing 150, LSG were anchored by Quinton de Kock) before some nervous moments towards the end of the game. However, Krunal Pandya and Ayush Badoni held their nerves to steer Lucknow to another victory.
LSG vs DC, IPL 2022: Highlights
Delhi Capitals have now lost two back-to-back matches and continue to languish at the bottom of the points table, just above CSK, MI and SRH. Lucknow Super Giants, one of the two new teams in the IPL, had lost their opening match to fellow newbies Gujarat Titans. Since that defeat, LSG have won against defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
QUINTON CRUISES
Quinton de Kock smashed his second half-century of IPL 2022 as Lucknow Super Giants chased 150 for victory against Delhi Capitals. de Kocks’s opening partner and LSG captain KL Rahul was not at his fluent best but that did not deter the South African batter from playing some scintillating shots. de Kock was in an aggressive mood against fellow Proteas Anrich Nortje who was playing his first match of IPL 2022. His first two overs went for 33 runs.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul fell to Kuldeep Yadav after a sluggish 24 off 25 balls. Lalit Yadav picked up the hard-hitting Evin Lewis but the presence of de Kock in the middle and the depth of the rest of the LSG batting line-up meant DC suffered their second successive defeat of the season.
DRAMA AT DY PATIL
Lucknow Super Giants were in top gear against DC but there was some drama waiting to unfold. Anrich Nortje was expensive on his return to DC and to make matters worse for the team, he was taken off the attack in the 16th over after bowling his second delivery above waist height. After some deliberation and discussion, Rishabh Pant went to Kuldeep Yadav who was immediately dispatched for two boundaries by Quinton de Kock. But Kuldeep had the last laugh when he had de Kock caught by Sarfaraz Khan at short third man.
de Kock’s dismissal lifted DC’s spirits and LSG started looking nervous. Mustafizur Rahman gave away just 4 runs in the 17th over, while Shardul Thakur conceded only 5 in the 18th as the pressure mounted for Deepak Hooda and Krunal Pandya. The game was truly in the balance with LSG needing 19 runs off the final 2 overs. But Krunal hit Mustafizur for a huge six in the 19th over to bring LSG closer to the DC target.
SHAW BALLISTIC
Prithvi Shaw had an ordinary start to his IPL 2022 campaign but he was on fire against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday. Shaw, one of the 4 retained players by Delhi Capitals, repaid the faith shown by the franchise and smashed a 34-ball 61 in an entertaining knock. He was particularly brutal against former DC teammate Avesh Khan. Shaw’s carnage was finally ended by Krishnappa Gowtham who made his debut for LSG after Manish Pandey was dropped.
WARNER PATCHY
David Warner returned to the Delhi franchise after 9 years, but his recent IPL struggles continued. One of the most celebrated batters in the history of the Indian Premier League, Warner had a torrid time at Sunrisers Hyderabad last year. After being sacked as captain, he was dropped from the playing XI. Back in Delhi, David Warner showed no signs of a better IPL campaign and finally fell to Ravi Bishnoi for 4 off 12 balls.
MAGICAL BISHNOI
Ravi Bishnoi was wicketless against Gujarat Titans, took 2 for 24 against Chennai Super Kings and then went wicketless against Sunrisers Hyderabad. If you noticed the pattern here, you would not be surprised by Bishnoi’s 2 for 22 against Delhi Capitals.
Stats and numbers aside, Bishnoi bowled a beautiful spell to remove David Warner and the dangerous Rovman Powell, who was sent up the order at No.3.