IPL 2023, LSG vs DC: Mayers' Fireworks & Wood's Fifer Lead LSG to a Thumping Win
LSG secured an easy win over DC [Source: IPLT20.com]
The third game of the IPL 2023 saw Lucknow Super Giants defeat Delhi Capitals by 50 runs in a one-sided affair at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow. KL Rahul-led Super Giants opened their account in the standings with this commanding victory.
Mayers and Pooran stand tall as LSG post a massive total
Kyle Mayers played a scintillating knock [Source: IPLT20.com]
After being put into bat first, Lucknow Super Giants got off to a slow start, as KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers struggled to get going from the first ball.
However, after Rahul got out, Mayers changed his gears immediately, executing a perfect counterattack on the DC bowlers. He went berserk particularly against the DC spinners and smashed seven huge sixes for his belligerent 38-ball 73.
After Mayers got out, LSG's middle-order, led by Nicholas Pooran, ensured a fitting finish for them, helping them post 193 at the end of 20 overs. While Pooran scored 36 runs, Ayush Badoni and Krunal Pandya contributed 18 and 15* runs, respectively.
Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for DC, scalping two wickets for 30 runs.
Mark Wood dismantles DC with a sensational fifer
Mark Wood derailed DC [Source: Twitter]
In response, Delhi Capitals were off to a flier, with David Warner and Prithvi Shaw helping them breach the 40-run mark in no time.
However, things fell in place for LSG as soon as Mark Wood was introduced to the attack, as the Englishman knocked over Shaw and Mitchell Marsh in consecutive deliveries. In his very next over, Wood removed Sarfaraz Khan to swing the game completely in LSG's favour.
Although Rilee Rossouw hammered a few glorious boundaries, his departure triggered a collapse, which engulfed the Capitals sooner than expected.
As a result, they finished on 143 for nine, losing the game comprehensively by 50 runs. Warner scored 56 runs, but took 48 balls for it, playing a significant role in increasing the required rate.
Besides Wood, Ravi Bishnoi weaved his magic with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets for 31 runs.
Why DC lost the match?
- Poor bowling in the middle and death overs: Delhi Capitals had an outstanding start to the game, as their bowlers conceded only 30 runs in the powerplay. However, they were worrisome in the rest two phases, giving away 163 runs in just 14 overs. Their spinners- Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav- had an off day, claiming only two wickets for 73 runs in eight overs.
- Sloth-paced batting from David Warner: Despite having a free-flowing Rilee Rossouw beside him, DC skipper David Warner couldn't really break the shackles, which costed his side the match. Besides Warner, Shaw and Mitchell Marsh also let the Capitals down.
- Selection blunders: DC management named Manish Pandey among the impact players, but went with Aman Khan later. However, slotting Pandey at number three and using Sarfaraz Khan in the middle order could've made more sense.
Brief Scores
Lucknow Super Giants: 193/6 (20)
Kyle Mayers 73 (38), Nicholas Pooran 36 (21);
Khaleel Ahmed 2/30 (4), Chetan Sakariya 2/53 (4)
Delhi Capitals: 143/9 (20)
David Warner 56 (48) Rilee Rossouw 30 (20);
Mark Wood 5/14 (4), Avesh Khan 2/29 (4)
Lucknow Super Giants won by 50 runs.
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