Rishabh Pant was a relieved captain as Delhi Capitals (DC) registered a six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 26 of the IPL 2024 season at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday (April 12).
It was DC’s second win in six games this season and they have now moved to the ninth spot in the 10-team points table.
Asked to bowl first, the Capitals restricted LSG to 167/7 in 20 overs. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, picking up three wickets by conceding only 20 runs in his four overs.
In reply, the visitors overhauled the target without breaking a sweat. While Prithvi Shaw played a decent knock of 22-ball 32 at the top, Jake Fraser-McGurk (55 off 35) and Pant (41 off 24) made significant contributions to take DC over the line with 11 deliveries to spare.
“Little relief, we wanted a win badly. I was talking to the boys saying we need to think like champions, we need to keep fighting hard,” Pant said at the post-match presentation.
“(On bowling) We have phases where we are not up to the mark, some individuals have to take responsibility for that. However, we stick together as a group. Some things you can control, some things we can't,” he added.
Talking about the team combination, the DC skipper said: “I think we are getting closer to the right XI, but we've had so many injuries in this group. However, you can't keep complaining about that.”
Rishabh Pant was also effusive in praise of Fraser-McGurk, who impressed one and all with a half-century on IPL debut.
“Hopefully, we've found our new number 3, haven't thought too much about it. Hope he can continue,” he concluded.
On the other hand, LSG skipper KL Rahul acknowledged that their batting wasn’t up to the mark and they were around 15-20 runs short.
“If I want to be harsh, I think we were 15-20 runs short, we got off to a good start, we could have capitalised and got 180. There was a bit of help for the seamers, the odd ball kept low. Kuldeep made its use (and got those wickets.) The new guys when they come in, it's pretty unknown for us. He (Jake Fraser-McGurk) hit the ball well, credit to him. We always walk in with the same mindset, want to hit the right areas. We got Warner in the powerplay, got a couple of wickets after the powerplay. The set batters - Pant and McGurk took the game away from us after that dropped catch,” Rahul said after the match.
“In hindsight you can always wonder you could have done something different. There wasn't much spin after Axar's over, so I thought Pooran could have put some pressure on the opposition, if he was set. He would have been dangerous, but credit to Kuldeep for getting him out,” he further stated.
Rahul provided an update on LSG pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who missed the game against DC due to a niggle.
“He (Mayank Yadav) is feeling good, he looks good, but we don't want to rush him. We need to protect his body, he's itching to go. Need to make sure that he's hundred percent (fit) before he comes back,” he remarked.
Occupying fourth spot in the team standings, LSG’s next match is scheduled against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (April 14).
“We travel tomorrow and play an afternoon game (on Sunday). That's how the schedule goes, need to turn up, could be tough during Indian summers,” Rahul concluded.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
