Delhi Capitals Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 19-Run Win Over Lucknow Super Giants
Delhi Capitals revived their chances of making it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs with a crucial 19-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. Despite finishing their league campaign with 14 points, Delhi’s playoff fate hinges on the results of other matches, with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore also vying for the remaining two playoff spots. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have already secured their places in the playoffs.
Tristan Stubbs played a pivotal role in Delhi’s victory, powering them to a formidable total of 208-4 with an explosive unbeaten knock of 57 runs off just 25 balls. Opening batsman Abishek Porel set the tone early on with a brisk 33-ball 58. Lucknow Super Giants struggled in their chase, losing early wickets to Ishant Sharma’s impressive spell of 3-34 in the powerplay. However, Nicholas Pooran’s aggressive innings of 61 off 27 balls and Arshad Khan’s late blitz of 58 not out off 25 balls kept Lucknow in the hunt.
Despite Pooran and Khan’s efforts, Lucknow fell short of the target, finishing at 189-9. Porel’s partnership with Shai Hope (38) provided Delhi with a solid foundation, and although captain Rishabh Pant contributed with a quickfire 33, it was Stubbs’ explosive hitting that propelled Delhi to a challenging total.
Stubbs’ assault on Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq in the penultimate over, which yielded 22 runs, proved to be decisive. Delhi’s bowlers then held their nerve in the final overs, with Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Salam conceding only nine runs in the last two overs to secure the win for Delhi.
Despite the loss, Lucknow Super Giants remain in seventh place with 12 points from six wins, with one league game remaining against Mumbai Indians. The result keeps Delhi Capitals’ hopes alive as they await the outcome of other matches to determine their playoff fate.
