DC vs LSG 64th IPL 2024 Match Highlights – DC defeat LSG by 19 runs 

Delhi Capitals defeat Lucknow Super Giants by 19 runs. © iplt20.com

The Delhi Capitals kept their IPL 2024 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 19-run win over the Lucknow SuperGiants in a high-scoring encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While both teams remain reliant on other results to secure a top-four finish, this victory injects a dose of optimism into the DC camp.

LSG opted to bowl first, and DC came to bat. Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk got a duck on the very 2nd ball, but Abhishek Porel and Shai Hope didn’t disappoint. They smashed boundaries at will during the powerplay, racing to 51 runs before Hope departed for a well-made 38. Porel continued his aggressive knock, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. However, a tight spell from the LSG spinners, particularly Ravi Bishnoi, slowed down the scoring rate in the middle overs.

Just when DC seemed to be losing momentum, young Tristan Stubbs took center stage. The explosive wicket-keeper batsman unleashed a whirlwind knock of 57 runs off just 25 balls, including two sixes and five fours. His late cameo, coupled with a quickfire 33 from Rishabh Pant, propelled DC to a challenging total of 208 for 4.

The LSG chase began disastrously as Ishant Sharma, playing as the Impact Player, ran riot. The veteran pacer dismissed Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, and Deepak Hooda within his first three overs, leaving LSG reeling at 44 for 4.

However, Nicholas Pooran, known for his fearless batting, decided to take matters into his own hands. He smashed a belligerent 61 runs off just 27 balls, keeping LSG’s hopes alive. Just as Pooran seemed to be building a partnership, Mukesh Kumar dismissed him with a clever, slower ball.

With LSG needing a further 107 runs off 54 balls, the situation looked bleak. However, young Arshad Khan, batting at number eight, had other ideas. He launched a brutal assault on the DC bowling attack, clobbering five sixes and three fours in a breathtaking display of power-hitting. He brought the equation down to a manageable 29 runs needed off the last 12 balls.

Despite Arshad’s heroics, DC bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam held their nerve in the death overs. They conceded just 7 runs in the final two overs, ensuring victory for DC by a narrow margin of 19 runs.

Player of the Match: Ishant Sharma

While both Stubbs and Arshad played crucial knocks, Ishant Sharma’s early wickets were instrumental in setting the tone for the match. His spell of 3/34 in 4 overs crippled the LSG top order and earned him the Player of the Match award.

This close victory keeps DC’s playoff hopes alive, but their qualification depends on other results going their way. LSG, with one more game remaining, also has a mathematical chance of making it to the top four. However, both teams will need to improve their overall consistency to challenge for the coveted IPL trophy.

Match Summary

Toss: LSG won the toss and elected to bowl

Stadium: Arun Jaitley

Result: DC won by 19 runs

Player of the Match: Ishant Sharma (DC) – 3/34 (4)