Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics Seal Thrilling 1-Wicket Victory for Delhi Capitals Over Lucknow Super Giants!

It’s just the start of IPL 2025, and fans have already witnessed one of the most exciting matches of the season. In a high-scoring thriller at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals (DC) edged past Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 1 wicket, chasing down 210 runs with three balls to spare. The match had everything, explosive batting, dramatic collapses, and a nerve-wracking finish. But the real star of the night was Ashutosh Sharma, whose unbeaten 66 off 31 balls helped DC snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

LSG’s Explosive Start and DC’s Comeback

After losing the toss, LSG was put into bat, and they came out all guns blazing despite the early setback of Aiden Markram who was out for just 15 runs off 13 balls. Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30 balls) absolutely dominated DC’s bowlers, smashing a combined 12 sixes and 12 fours. Pooran, in particular, was in destructive form, scoring at an incredible strike rate of 250 and even smashing four consecutive sixes against Tristan Stubbs in his over. 

LSG reached 133/1 in 11.4 overs, looking set to cross 250 runs. However, DC made a strong comeback, led by Mitchell Starc (3/42) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/20). Starc’s fiery spell in the death overs saw him dismiss Pooran and Ravi Bishnoi in quick succession, while Kuldeep removed Rishabh Pant (0 off 6) and Ayush Badoni (4 off 5). LSG collapsed from 161/2 to 209/8, losing 6 wickets for just 48 runs. At one stage, it looked like Lucknow would be crossing the 250 runs mark but with the regular wickets, the team failed to score even 220 runs and it proved to be a major setback for them. 

DC’s Early Collapse and Middle-Order Fightback

Chasing 210, DC had a horrendous start, losing three wickets inside the first two overs. Jake Fraser-McGurk (1 off 2), Abishek Porel (0 off 2), and Sameer Rizvi (4 off 4) fell cheaply, leaving DC at 7/3 in 1.4 overs and it looked completely over for the Delhi Capitals team at that moment. However, Faf du Plessis (29 off 18) and Axar Patel (22 off 11) provided a mini-recovery, but their dismissals left DC struggling at 50/4 in 5.3 overs. At 65/5, it seemed all over for DC. However, Tristan Stubbs (34 off 22) and Ashutosh Sharma (66 off 31)* kept the fight alive.

The game turned in DC’s favor when young Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15) played a blistering cameo, smashing five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 260.00. His quick 55-run stand with Ashutosh helped DC reach 168/6 in 16 overs, bringing the equation down to 42 off 24 balls and hence the Delhi Capitals fans knew that they had a real chance of claiming a win in their first match of the season. 

Final Over Drama: Ashutosh Sharma Finishes in Style

Despite Vipraj Nigam’s dismissal on the first ball of the 17th over, Ashutosh Sharma remained composed, determined to take Delhi Capitals (DC) over the line. With 18 runs needed off 12 balls, the pressure was high, but Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav couldn’t seal the game for Delhi Capitals, leaving them needing 6 runs off the final over with one wicket in hand. 

Ashutosh relied on Mohit Sharma to rotate the strike, but the tension escalated as Rishabh Pant missed a stumping on the first ball, giving DC a lifeline. On the next ball, a missed run-out further tilted the match in DC’s favor. Finally, on the third ball, Ashutosh sealed the victory in style, smashing a six to secure a thrilling 1-wicket win. His unbeaten 66 off 31 balls, featuring 5 fours and 5 sixes, made him the undisputed hero of the night.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

When it comes to TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game, it has to be the dramatic first ball of the 20th over during Delhi Capitals’ thrilling chase against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). With DC needing 6 runs off 6 balls and just one wicket remaining, the tension was sky-high. Mohit Sharma, Delhi’s number 11 batsman, was on strike, while Ashutosh Sharma, the set batter and match-winner, was at the non-striker’s end. LSG’s Shahbaz Ahmed had the responsibility of defending 6 runs in the final over, knowing a single mistake could cost his team the match. As Shahbaz delivered the first ball, Mohit attempted a flick but completely missed it. 

The ball spun away sharply, deceiving the batter. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant had a golden opportunity to seal the match for LSG with an easy stumping, but he fumbled the collection, allowing Mohit to survive. Adding to the drama, Pant decided to review for LBW, hoping for a lucky break. However, ball-tracking showed it was missing the off-stump, keeping Delhi Capitals alive in the contest. This missed stumping proved to be a game-changer, as Ashutosh Sharma capitalized on the opportunity, smashing a six later in the over to secure a thrilling 1-wicket victory for Delhi Capitals. LSG will look back at this moment as the one that cost them the match.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

While Ashutosh Sharma rightfully earned praise for his match-winning 66 off 31 balls, the real unsung hero of Delhi Capitals’ thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was Vipraj Nigam. Making his IPL debut, the young all-rounder delivered a match-defining performance, proving to be TCNI’s Hero of the Day. Nigam made an instant impact with the ball, dismissing Aiden Markram early in the innings. This crucial breakthrough gave Delhi Capitals a much-needed wicket inside the powerplay, slowing LSG’s aggressive start. However, it was his fearless batting that truly changed the game. 

At 113/6 in 13 overs, DC looked completely out of contention, with little hope of chasing down 210. But Nigam, along with Ashutosh Sharma, staged a remarkable comeback, stitching a vital 55-run partnership that brought Delhi back into the game. Nigam’s 39 off just 15 balls was an explosive knock, played at a strike rate of 260. He took the attack to Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, and others, smashing 5 fours and 2 sixes, shifting momentum entirely in Delhi’s favor. While Ashutosh finished the job, it was Nigam’s fearless counterattack that turned the match around, making him the true hero of the night.