IPL 2025, LSG vs DC: The first leg between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) ended in thrilling fashion, as DC pulled off a solid comeback with three deliveries to spare when LSG needed to get just a wicket to win. Now, it's Lucknow's turn to seek revenge as they host Delhi at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium for a rematch on April 22.
Interestingly, this game will also mark the return of KL Rahul — who missed the first encounter due to the birth of his daughter — as he comes face to face with his former franchise. A franchise that seemingly parted ways with their then-captain KL Rahul on a bad note ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Ahead of this high-stakes clash, let's take a look at some key battles that could fire up the contest.
After LSG suffered a heavy defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during IPL 2024, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen in a heated exchange with then-captain KL Rahul — a moment that sparked major controversy. Following the incident, LSG released Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
At the two-day auction, LSG made headlines by breaking the bank to sign Rishabh Pant for a record-breaking ?27 crore, making the wicketkeeper-batter the most expensive player in IPL auction history.
Now, as LSG and DC meet for the 2nd time this season, all eyes will be on how this off-field storyline plays out — whether Rahul and Goenka cross paths, and if there will be any exchange between them. While it isn't a battle that will unfold on the pitch, it remains one of the most intriguing subplots surrounding this clash.
Rishabh Pant, the former DC skipper, is going through a tough season with the bat as he managed to score just 106 runs in 8 matches at an average of 15.14, with only one half-century to his name. In this clash, he faces a familiar challenge in Kuldeep Yadav — a bowler he has historically struggled against.?
Pant has scored just 23 runs off 25 balls against Kuldeep and gave away his wicket to the spinner three times, with a strike rate of 92.00. With Kuldeep in fine form, having claimed 12 wickets in 7 matches this season, this particular face-off could turn out to be a crucial moment in the game.
Nicholas Pooran has been a standout performer this season, amassing 368 runs in 8 matches at an impressive average of 52.57 and a blistering strike rate of 205.59, including four fifties. His teammate, Mitchell Marsh, who opens for LSG, has also been in fine form, scoring 299 runs in 7 matches at an average of 42.71 and a strike rate of 167.98. However, both these hard-hitting batters will be up against Mitchell Starc.?
Pooran has struggled against the Aussie pacer, managing just 12 runs in 6 innings while being dismissed 4 times. On the other hand, Starc has faced his own challenges against fellow Australian Marsh. When DC and LSG clashed earlier this season, Marsh took Starc apart, smashing him for 20 runs off just five balls in that game. It remains to be seen who will gain the upper hand this time — the bowler or the LSG batters.?
Digvesh Singh Rathi, the mystery spinner, has emerged as a breakout star this season. His tight economy and eye-catching celebrations have become the talk of the town, as he has claimed nine wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.43 so far.?
However, Rathi will face a tough challenge against Axar Patel, who has been delivering impactful cameos down the order. Patel has been particularly aggressive against spin, scoring at a strike rate of 194.11. Yet, his attacking intent has also led to his dismissal against spinners four times in six innings.??
With Patel looking to counter-attack and Rathi aiming to maintain his stranglehold, this contest promises to be a fascinating subplot in the larger game.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan.
Delhi Capitals (DC): Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar.?
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow?Indiatimes Trending.