IPL 2025: Ashutosh's heroics guide Delhi Capitals to thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants

Ashutosh Sharma produced a match-winning performance with an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls to guide Delhi Capitals to a remarkable one-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their first game of IPL 2025. The game, played in Visakhapatnam on March 24, saw Delhi chase down 210 with just three balls to spare.

At the start of the chase, DC was in deep trouble, reduced to 7 for 3 within the first two overs. With 97 runs required from just 45 balls, the situation seemed almost impossible for Delhi. However, debutant Vipraj Nigam, who walked in at number 8, turned the game around with a blistering 39 off 15 balls. His quick-fire knock gave DC the hope they needed, before being dismissed with 42 runs still required off 23 balls.

Ashutosh, who had been struggling earlier in his innings, found his rhythm when 62 runs were needed off 30 balls. He launched a sensational assault, hitting 46 runs off his next 11 balls to bring the equation down to 22 runs from 12 balls. Despite losing his partners, including the run-out of Kuldeep Yadav in an attempt to get Ashutosh back on strike, the young star held his nerve and smashed two sixes off the final two balls of an over to bring DC within striking distance.

In the final over, with just five runs required, Ashutosh sealed the game by hitting a six off the third ball from Shahbaz Ahmed. His spectacular finish left Rishabh Pant, LSG's captain, stunned as Ashutosh and his teammates erupted in celebration.

Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants had set a daunting target of 210, posting 209 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh were the standout performers with the bat. Pooran struck a rapid 75 off 30 balls, while Marsh added 72 off 36. The duo shared an explosive 87-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the game away from DC in the early stages. However, once the two were dismissed, DC's bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav, made a brilliant comeback, restricting LSG to just 48 runs in the last seven overs and taking six wickets.

DC's chase seemed all but over when they were reduced to 65 for 5 in the seventh over, but Ashutosh and Nigam’s partnership revived their hopes. Ashutosh’s magnificent innings, coupled with Nigam's fearless cameo, brought Delhi Capitals to an unforgettable victory, overcoming a huge collapse and proving that no chase is ever over in T20 cricket.