Delhi Capitals pulled the rabbit out of the hat, winning from a nowhere position. Against Lucknow in their tournament opener in Vizag, Delhi had lost five wickets inside the first ten overs, but even that failed to ground them at their second home venue this season. DC’s Impact Sub, Ashutosh Sharma, was the star, hitting an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls, including five sixes and as many fours, sealing an improbable-looking win for Delhi.
Delhi Capitals won the toss and sent LSG into bat first, with returning Mitchell Marsh wreaking havoc up front. The all-rounder hammered his Australia teammate Starc to two massive sixes before shifting attention to others. Although his partner, Aiden Markram, departed inside the Powerplay, with Nicholas Pooran joining him, there was no stopping this pair.
Both went berserk, taking down the Delhi bowlers to all parts of the ground. Marsh maintained his whacking spree, hitting a brilliant 72 off 36 balls, including six sixes and as many fours, and Pooran put on the fifth gear the moment he came to the crease.
Continuing his purple patch in his favourite format, Pooran smashed four sixes in a single over to Tristan Stubbs before Starc returned to break his middle and off stumps into half.
Despite a brilliant comeback from DC bowlers, LSG posted a fighting 209/8 in 20 overs.
More to follow…