In a dramatic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 showdown, Rishabh Pant’s debut as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain ended in heartbreak as his former franchise, the Delhi Capitals (DC), clinched a thrilling one-wicket victory. Ashutosh Sharma’s unbeaten 66 off 31 balls powered DC’s improbable chase of 210, leaving LSG with bitter disappointment at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
We fought till the end, we'll be back stronger 💔 pic.twitter.com/Awf8KkHZYD
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) March 24, 2025
LSG’s Strong Start Fizzles Out in Death Overs
LSG appeared set for a formidable total, reaching 133 for 1 in just 12 overs, with Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran in scintillating form. However, their momentum stalled in the last five overs, yielding just 39 runs. Despite the late slowdown, Rishabh Pant maintained that LSG had posted a defendable target.
“I think we had enough runs on the board,” Rishabh Pant stated in his post-match remarks to JioHotstar. “Our batters batted really well. We might have lost momentum in between overs 13-17, but it was a pretty good score on this wicket.”
LSG assistant coach Lance Klusener, however, had a different perspective, believing the team left 20 to 30 runs on the field. “The reason why we were under pressure with the ball is because we didn’t score enough runs,” he explained. “With the experience and batting power we have, I think we left a few runs out there.”
Ashutosh Sharma’s Masterclass Turns the Game
The night belonged to DC’s Ashutosh Sharma, whose fearless batting turned the match on its head. Coming in at a precarious position, he showcased remarkable composure, hammering boundaries and keeping DC’s hopes alive. His fireworks in the final overs, combined with crucial contributions from other batters, sealed an incredible one-wicket victory.
The thrilling finish underscored why the Impact Player rule continues to reshape IPL games, as players like Ashutosh can single-handedly influence outcomes in the dying moments.
Injury Woes and Bowling Constraints for LSG
LSG’s struggles were compounded by a depleted bowling attack. With key pacers Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Akash Deep sidelined due to injuries, the team was forced to rely on a limited pace attack. Shardul Thakur, Mohsin’s replacement, and rookie Prince Yadav were the only frontline seamers, while LSG fielded four spinners.
“At the moment, we don’t have a lot of reserves with the ball,” Klusener admitted. “We’ll have to mix and match until we get players back.”
Despite the loss, Klusener emphasized the positives, particularly Shardul Thakur’s strong start, picking up two wickets in his opening over.
Rishabh Pant on Missed Opportunities and Moving Forward
A pivotal moment in the match came in the final over when Rishabh Pant missed a stumping opportunity off Mohit Sharma’s bowling. With DC needing six runs off the last six balls and only one wicket in hand, a successful stumping could have sealed the win for LSG.
Rishabh Pant, however, refused to dwell on luck. “Definitely, luck plays a little part in the game,” he said. “But instead of focusing on these things, we should play good cricket rather than thinking about the luck factor.”
LSG will now shift their focus to their upcoming game in Hyderabad, where they hope to regroup and bounce back from this defeat. The team’s challenge will be to overcome injury concerns, fine-tune their batting in the death overs, and maintain confidence in their young players.
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Blind slogger sympathy merchant Rishabh Pant gone for 6 balls duck.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) March 24, 2025
He had created a ecosystem which presented him as a big match winner and a great clutch player, media people & commentators even hyped him in T2OIs & ODIs.
Can't believe Goenka paid 27 crores for him & shame on… pic.twitter.com/PJMzI07FzF
Conclusion: Lessons for LSG, Momentum for DC
While LSG will rue their missed opportunities, Delhi Capitals’ remarkable chase, fueled by Ashutosh Sharma’s heroics, will be remembered as one of the most thrilling IPL finishes. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on this match—DC riding high on momentum, while LSG seeks to turn setbacks into stepping stones for future victories.
