DC lost run chase by 50 runs against LSG in IPL 2023
A magnificent innings from Kyle Mayers and some blazing cameos from Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni help Lucknow Super Giants post 193 for 6 in 20 overs against Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Mayers made his IPL debut memorable with a 38-ball 73, including 7 sixes and 2 boundaries. Pooran played a knock of 36 runs off 21 deliveries, with the help of 3 sixes and 2 boundaries, while Badoni smashed 18 off 7, 2 sixes and a four, to lit-up LSG innings. For DC, Khaleel Ahmed (2/30) and Chetan Sakariya (2/53) picked up 2 wickets apiece. Axar Patel (1/38) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/35) got a wicket each. Earlier, Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Delhi Capitals skipper David Warner said they want to be sure of what to chase as this is the first match on this pitch. LSG captain KL Rahul said they are going into their first match without many expectations as they have not played too many games at their home ground.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to begin their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 campaign with the clash against Delhi Capitals at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday evening. LSG had a terrific season last year in which they finished among the top four of the points table and made it to the playoffs. However, a loss to RCB in the Eliminator cut short their journey to winning the title.
The KL Rahul-led side will also have home support this time as the tournament heads back to its initial module of home and away games. The franchise made a blockbuster Rs 16 crore move for Nicholas Pooran to add more bite to their top order. They have also added the likes of Romario Shepherd, Daniel Sams, Jaydev Unadkat as well as Amit Mishra among others.
The opening pair of Rahul and Quinton de Kock lit up the IPL last season as well and LSG will hope for more of the same this year as well. Deepak Hooda, Pooran and Marcus Stoinis make it a very solid top order, however, what they do lack is a top-order Indian batter that’s why they’re only left with one overseas slot which will be taken up by Mark Wood.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals will take the field under the leadership of experienced David Warner. As Rishabh Pant misses out due to injury, the franchise would hope Warner to reciprocate his magic which he did in 2026 to guide the Sunrisers Hyderabad to title victory. At the same time, Ricky Ponting’s brilliance and Warner’s smartness will be a great combination to watch out for this season.
They bought a host of players in the IPL mini-auction in December last year, including veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, who, along with Warner and Mitchell Marsh will add a great deal of experience to the side. They also picked up seasoned IPL campaigner Manish Pandey, the hard-hitting South African Rilee Rossouw, England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt and the promising Bengal bowler Mukesh Kumar.
Most importantly, DC will be desperate to find a workaround and Sarfaraz Khan will likely have to step into Pant’s shoes as wicketkeeper-batter.
