In a thrilling encounter at the Indian Premier League (IPL), KL Rahul showcased his batting prowess, steering the Delhi Capitals to a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over the Lucknow Super Giants. Chasing a modest target of 160, Rahul remained unbeaten with a stellar 57 off 42 balls, sealing the victory with a six off Prince Yadav with 13 balls to spare.

Key Performances

• Abhishek Porel laid a solid foundation with a quickfire 51 off 36 balls.
• Axar Patel, the Delhi captain, provided crucial support with an unbeaten 34.
• Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 4-33.

Turning Points

1. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram started strongly for Lucknow, adding 87 for the first wicket. However, Markram's dismissal for 52 in the 10th over shifted the momentum.
2. Mitchell Starc bowled the dangerous Nicholas Pooran for just 9, further denting Lucknow's innings.
3. Mukesh Kumar struck twice in the 14th over, removing Marsh (45) and Abdul Samad (2), leaving Lucknow struggling at 110-4.

Late Flourish

Ayush Badoni, introduced as an impact player, smashed 36 off 21 balls, but his dismissal in the final over, along with captain Rishabh Pant, curtailed Lucknow's total.

Match Impact

This victory propels Delhi Capitals to 12 points, level with the Gujarat Titans, while Lucknow Super Giants slip to fifth place. Delhi's clinical performance with both bat and ball underscores their strong form in the tournament.