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Delhi Capitals (DC) finally halted their losing streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a resounding six-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), marking their second win of the season. Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the standout performer, wreaking havoc with his spin wizardry by claiming three vital wickets, including those of Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul, effectively dismantling the opposition’s batting order.
Early hiccup and steady partnership
In pursuit of a challenging target of 168 runs, Delhi faced an early hiccup when David Warner fell cheaply, managing just 8 runs off 9 deliveries. However, the duo of Jake Fraser-McGurk and skipper Rishabh Pant steadied the ship with a resilient partnership, displaying composure and determination in their batting approach. Fraser-McGurk showcased his potential with a scintillating knock of 55 runs from 35 balls, while Pant led from the front with a crucial 41 runs off 24 deliveries, guiding their team closer to victory.
Prithvi Shaw’s impact
In addition to Fraser-McGurk and Pant’s contributions, Prithvi Shaw made a noteworthy impact with his aggressive innings, scoring a brisk 32 runs off just 22 deliveries. Nevertheless, Shaw’s promising knock was marred by a reckless shot against Ravi Bishnoi, which resulted in his dismissal after being caught by Pooran.
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Harbhajan Singh’s criticism
Despite striking six boundaries at a commendable strike rate of 145.45, Shaw’s dismissal drew sharp criticism from former India player Harbhajan Singh, who was providing commentary for Star Sports. Harbhajan’s frustration was evident as he openly expressed his disappointment with Shaw’s shot selection, suggesting that such unnecessary risks put Delhi in a precarious position. He went as far as to express a desire to physically reprimand Shaw.
“What was he doing there? If I were at Delhi Capitals, I would have beaten him continuously. There was no need for that shot, and he put Delhi in trouble. When you are batting well, you should make it count, but Prithvi has this habit of going for reckless shots. This should have been avoided,” Harbhajan said.
Jake Fraser-McGurk’s brilliant knock
Meanwhile Delhi’s victory over Lucknow was anchored by the stellar performance of debutant Fraser-McGurk, who showcased his batting prowess in his impressive knock included skillful shot-making and solid partnerships, notably a crucial stand with captain Pant. Pant himself played a significant role in the chase ensuring Delhi’s successful pursuit of the target of 168 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav’s excellent bowling
This impressive victory marked Delhi’s second win of the 17th season of the tournament, consolidating their position in the points table. Kuldeep’s exceptional bowling performance earned him the well-deserved accolade of Player of the Match. Yadav’s mastery with the ball was evident as he claimed three vital wickets from his allotted four overs, playing a pivotal role in restricting Lucknow’s batting lineup and setting the stage for Delhi’s successful run chase.
