Kamal Ghorui
Sameer Rizvi delivered a stunning display of composure and class after coming in as an Impact Substitute, guiding Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL clash on Wednesday.Chasing a modest target of 142, Delhi found themselves in deep trouble early on, collapsing to 26 for 4 within the first five overs. However, Rizvi (70* off 47 balls) rose to the occasion, stitching together an unbeaten 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Tristan Stubbs (39* off 32). The duo ensured Delhi crossed the finish line with ease, sealing the win in just 17.1 overs.
Rizvi, Stubbs script stunning recovery
Rizvi’s innings stood out for its maturity. He weathered challenging spells from Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, and Prince Yadav before shifting gears. On a surface that offered assistance to seamers, Rizvi struck five fours and four sixes, making the chase appear far more straightforward than it initially seemed.The turning point came in the 10th over, bowled by Shahbaz Ahmed. Rizvi took full advantage, collecting 16 runs with a mix of sweeps, pulls, and deft placements. From that moment, momentum firmly swung in Delhi’s favour.He later showcased his range by lofting Aiden Markram over long-on and dispatching Mohsin Khan with authority, steadily dismantling LSG’s hopes. Stubbs played the perfect supporting role, rotating strike and ensuring the pressure never built again.
LSG falter with bat despite early breakthroughs
Lucknow had started brightly with the ball. Mohammed Shami struck on the very first delivery, dismissing KL Rahul for a duck. Mohsin Khan removed Nitish Rana, while Pathum Nissanka fell cheaply to Prince Yadav. Delhi captain Axar Patel also departed for a first-ball duck, beaten by pace and movement.However, LSG couldn’t capitalise on the early momentum as Rizvi and Stubbs took control.Earlier, LSG endured a disappointing outing with the bat, managing just 141 in 18.4 overs after being put in. A surprise tactical move saw captain Rishabh Pant open the innings, disrupting a settled combination. Pant scored 7 before being run out and never looked comfortable.Aiden Markram showed brief promise but was dismissed by Axar Patel, while Ayush Badoni fell for a duck. Nicholas Pooran was undone by a clever slower delivery from Lungi Ngidi, which dipped late and crashed into the stumps.Ngidi starred with 3 wickets, showcasing excellent variation, while T Natarajan also picked up three. Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two, including the key wicket of Mitchell Marsh with a well-disguised googly.Overall, it was a clinical performance from Delhi Capitals. Despite an early collapse, Rizvi’s brilliance and Stubbs’ composure powered a remarkable comeback, handing Delhi a winning start to their campaign.
