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KL Rahul’s fluent 57 sinks Lucknow Super Giants in one-sided clash
Delhi Capitals cruised to a commanding eight-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, with a clinical all-round performance that left the hosts reeling. Chasing a modest target of 159, KL Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 57 off 42 balls, steering Delhi to a comfortable win and reaffirming their growing dominance in the IPL 2025 season. Earlier, Lucknow appeared to be in control at 87 for 1 after 10 overs, with Aiden Markram (52 off 33) and Mitchell Marsh (45 off 36) laying a solid foundation. However, what followed was a dramatic collapse as the Delhi pace battery tightened the screws with masterful execution. The trio of Mukesh Kumar (4/33), Mitchell Starc (1/25), and Dushmantha Chameera (1/25) shifted gears expertly, varying their lengths and pace to dismantle LSG’s batting line-up. The change in tactics midway through the innings proved pivotal. What initially seemed like a placid surface offering even bounce quickly turned into a puzzle, thanks to Delhi’s intelligent bowling adjustments. Slower balls, off-cutters, and clever use of the crease left the LSG batters groping for answers. Chameera provided the breakthrough by removing Markram with a deceptive fuller ball, while Starc delivered the game-changing moment, once again getting the better of Nicholas Pooran. Expecting pace, Pooran attempted a pull, only to inside-edge a well-disguised slower bouncer onto his stumps. Mukesh Kumar was undoubtedly the standout performer, striking a double blow in a single over to dismiss Marsh and Abdul Samad. His subtle changes in speed and impeccable control under pressure ensured that the middle-order never settled. Rishabh Pant, nursing an injured palm, had a minimal role with the bat. He walked in at No. 7 but was dismissed for a two-ball duck, further highlighting LSG’s lack of depth and cohesion in the latter half of their innings. Ayush Badoni added a touch of flair with a valiant 36 off 21 balls, including a trio of boundaries in the final over, but his effort was too little, too late. LSG’s total of 159 for 6 proved well below par on a surface that required more application and awareness, allowing Delhi to notch up a comprehensive and morale-boosting win.
22 April,2025 11:23 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Marsh completes 1000 IPL runs, Pooran falls to Starc again in familiar duel
Mitchell Marsh reached a personal milestone while Mitchell Starc reasserted his dominance over Nicholas Pooran in a gripping IPL 2025 encounter between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Marsh, with a fluent 45, surpassed the 1000-run mark in his 50th IPL appearance. The Australian all-rounder gave Lucknow a flying start, anchoring a brisk 87-run opening partnership that laid a solid foundation for the hosts. His aggressive knock, laced with characteristic power and timing, came at a strike rate of 137.27, taking his career IPL average to 24.02. However, once Marsh departed, Lucknow’s innings faltered. The middle order collapsed under sustained pressure from a disciplined DC bowling attack, and the onus fell on Pooran to salvage the innings. But any hopes of a Pooran rescue act were swiftly extinguished by his nemesis, Starc. In a now familiar subplot, Starc once again got the better of Pooran, dismissing him for the fifth time in seven innings. The fiery left-armer cleverly took pace off the ball, enticing the big-hitting West Indian into an ill-judged pull that resulted in an inside edge crashing into the stumps. Pooran managed just 9 off 5 balls, and the duel with Starc now reads five dismissals for a mere 14 runs in 12 deliveries. With Lucknow reeling, Ayush Badoni and David Miller tried to engineer a recovery. The duo stitched together a valuable 49-run stand, with Badoni taking the lead. The diminutive batter impressed with a late flourish, smashing three consecutive boundaries off Mukesh Kumar in the final over. His enterprising 36 off 21 balls, including six crisp boundaries, injected some momentum but ended just as it looked threatening, Mukesh removed him on the fourth delivery of the 20th over. Rishabh Pant, nursing a hand injury, entered at No. 7 and was unable to make a mark, falling for a two-ball duck on the final delivery of the innings. Miller, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 14 off 15 balls but failed to shift gears, managing just a single boundary and struggling to find rhythm. Ultimately, Lucknow finished on a modest 159 for 6, a total that looked below par given their explosive start and the firepower they possess. (With PTI inputs)
22 April,2025 10:47 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Fielding frailties underline CSK and RR's fall in IPL standings
Catching efficiency has become a major talking point in the ongoing IPL 2025, with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals emerging as the biggest offenders in this regard. The teams languishing at the bottom of the points table are those that have struggled the most with taking catches. CSK, who are currently at the bottom, have a dismal catching efficiency of just 64.3 percent in IPL 2025. Dropped catches have haunted CSK throughout the season, notably during their defeat against Punjab Kings. Young opener Priyansh Arya, who played a blistering knock of a century, survived an early scare when CSK missed an opportunity to dismiss him off just the second ball of his innings. Similarly, in their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Paridar was dropped on 18, later going on to score a half-century. Ironically, both Paridar and Arya were named Player of the Match in their respective games. Rajasthan Royals, though slightly better, have not performed significantly better in this department. With a catch efficiency of 70.5 percent, they sit second from the bottom of the table. In contrast, Mumbai Indians have set the benchmark with an impressive 83.3 percent catch efficiency, followed closely by Sunrisers Hyderabad at 82.4 percent, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who hold the third spot with 80.9 percent. When we dive deeper, some players have had particularly poor catching records. Among those with four or more catching opportunities, Punjab's Yuzvendra Chahal and Chennai's Vijay Shankar have had the worst performances. Both have dropped three out of five chances, with Chahal missing a key opportunity to dismiss SRH’s Abhishek Sharma, who was on 57 at the time. Sharma went on to score a remarkable 141 runs, breaking the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. Turning to venues, Jaipur has been the site of the highest number of dropped catches, with 12 missed opportunities, surpassing the nine successful catches. Arya and Rajasthan's Shimron Hetmyer have been the luckiest players so far, with both being reprieved five times each.
22 April,2025 10:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Four-star Mukesh Kumar's four-wicket burst halts LSG at 159
Lucknow Super Giants endured a stuttering innings as Delhi Capitals’ pace attack, led by the crafty Mukesh Kumar, reduced them to a modest 159 for 6 in their IPL clash on Tuesday. Despite being well-placed at 87 for 1 after 10 overs, LSG faltered dramatically, managing just 72 runs in the back half of their innings, marking their lowest team total in the tournament so far. Delhi’s pace trio, Mukesh Kumar (4/33), Mitchell Starc (1/25), and Dushmantha Chameera (1/25), executed their variations with surgical precision, exploiting the pitch’s nuances with clever changes in pace and length. Each of them adapted brilliantly, shifting from fuller deliveries to off-pace cutters, choking the flow of runs and inducing errors from the LSG batters. Aiden Markram top-scored with a fluent 52 off 33 balls, anchoring the innings with composure. Partnering with Mitchell Marsh (45 off 36), the pair added solidity at the top, especially during the Powerplay, as the ball came onto the bat nicely. However, the momentum they built evaporated once Delhi’s bowlers adjusted their strategy to match the conditions. Chameera struck the initial blow by removing Markram with a fuller delivery that the South African sliced straight to deep cover. But it was Mitchell Starc who delivered a decisive moment, outwitting Nicholas Pooran (9) with a cunning slower bouncer. Anticipating Pooran’s aggression, Starc took the pace off and forced a mistimed pull shot that ricocheted off the inside edge onto the stumps. Rishabh Pant’s injured palm also hampered LSG’s effort with the bat. The Delhi skipper came in unusually low at No. 7 and lasted just two balls, departing for a duck. His limited involvement mirrored the team’s waning control during the death overs. Mukesh Kumar emerged as the star performer, striking twice in a single over to remove Marsh and Abdul Samad (2 off 8). His well-disguised variations, especially the dipping slower balls, proved too deceptive for LSG’s middle-order. Ayush Badoni’s enterprising 36 off 21 balls offered a late flourish, but the damage had been done. Despite his clever stroke play and composure, LSG fell significantly short of a par score on the typically challenging Ekana Stadium surface, giving Delhi Capitals a strong foothold in the contest.
22 April,2025 10:16 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Delhi Capitals count on openers to deliver after opting to bowl first
After opting to bowl first, Delhi Capitals will be hoping for a more impactful start from their openers when they travel to the 'City of Nawabs' to take on a resurgent Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. DC’s opening combination has been a revolving door this season, with Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and the most recent addition Karun Nair all tried at the top. In the last five matches alone, the franchise has fielded three different opening pairs among those four, producing partnerships of 23, 34, 0, 9, and 0, a concerning trend for a team with championship aspirations. The instability is partly due to Du Plessis’ injury, and the South African’s fitness will be under scrutiny ahead of this clash. Fortunately, the Capitals have managed to win five of their seven games so far, thanks largely to a stable and efficient middle-order led by KL Rahul, which has functioned seamlessly despite the frequent top-order failures. However, Lucknow’s bowling attack, featuring Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and the often expensive but dangerous Shardul Thakur, has managed to stifle opposition batters without much flair or noise. Avesh’s performance against Rajasthan Royals, particularly his spells in the 18th and 20th overs during their narrow two-run win, stands as a testament to LSG’s ability to turn games on their head. With that in mind, DC will be keen not to place the burden of recovery solely on Rahul and the middle-order once again. Instead, the franchise would prefer to see its openers set the tone, allowing the middle-order to consolidate rather than rebuild. Conversely, Lucknow have been bolstered by a consistent top three comprising Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Aiden Markram — a trio that has given the team the upper hand during the Powerplay in several matches. Travails of skippers Pant, Axar Interestingly, the personal form of both captains stands in contrast to their teams’ success. Despite being level on 10 points, DC and LSG find themselves grappling with leadership form issues. For LSG, Rishabh Pant’s struggles have been glaring, just 106 runs in eight games, with 63 of them in a single innings, and a strike rate of 98. Against DC, he will face a potent bowling lineup that includes Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Vipraj Nigam, and Mukesh Kumar. On the flip side, Axar Patel has performed admirably with the bat, scoring 140 runs at a strike rate of 159. However, his bowling, his primary skill, has suffered, with only one wicket in seven matches at an economy rate of 9.36. The DC think tank may urge Axar to recalibrate and find the right balance between leadership, batting, and his all-important bowling role.
22 April,2025 07:33 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
CSK's Shivam Dube donates Rs 7 lakh to support young athletes in Tamil Nadu
India all-rounder and Chennai Super Kings star Shivam Dube made a heartfelt contribution on Tuesday, pledging Rs 70,000 each to 10 promising athletes from Tamil Nadu. The generous gesture was made during the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists' Association’s (TNSJA) annual awards and scholarship ceremony held in Chennai. Dube, who was the chief guest at the event, decided to extend his personal support to young sporting talent after learning about the initiative while en route to the venue. "When I was travelling from the team hotel to this venue, Dr Baba (TNCA secretary), told me that it was an effort to help some of the youngsters over here. So, this is truly encouraging for all the young athletes,” he said at the ceremony, which was also attended by Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan. Dube’s contribution came in addition to the Rs 30,000 scholarship already being provided by the TNSJA to each athlete. A member of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 winning squad, Dube emphasised that such recognitions, no matter how modest, can have a powerful impact on the aspirations of emerging athletes. “These small things provide them with the extra motivation to strive harder and bring pride to the nation. I have witnessed such initiatives in Mumbai, but I am not certain about other states. I will certainly tell other states also to initiate such programmes,” he added. Dube went on to highlight the value of these scholarships, particularly for young athletes at the beginning of their journey. “This Rs 30,000 may seem like a small amount, but it serves as encouragement. When you are young, every penny and every award truly matters,” he remarked. The event saw scholarships awarded to a diverse group of talented athletes representing a wide range of sports. The beneficiaries included PB Abhinandh (table tennis), KS Vhenisa Sree (archery), Muthumeena Vellasami (para athletics), Shameena Riaz (squash), Jayant RK and S Nandhana (both cricket), Kamali P (surfing), R Abinaya and RC Jithin Arjunan (both athletics), and A Takkshanth (chess).
22 April,2025 06:54 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
Pooran gifts signed cap to fan injured by his monstrous six in Lucknow: WATCH
In a heartwarming moment off the field, in-form Lucknow Super Giants batter Nicholas Pooran recently met with a fan named Nabeel, who was accidentally injured by one of his monstrous sixes. The incident occurred during LSG’s sixth match of the IPL 2025 season against Gujarat Titans at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Pooran’s powerful strike had struck Nabeel on the head, but in a gesture of empathy and gratitude, the Caribbean southpaw invited the injured fan to the stadium, personally met him, and gifted him a signed cap. The LSG star also made sure to check on his well-being. “I’m feeling great, Pooran sir called and invited me here. I met him and he even asked if I was fine. I’m coming for the game as well. It doesn’t matter if I get hit, but our Lucknow team should keep on winning. Our team won that day, that’s what made me happy. This is our team, trophy is our dream,” Nabeel expressed in a video shared by the Lucknow Super Giants on their official X account. “Bas apni Lucknow ki team jeetti rehni chahiye” 💙 pic.twitter.com/DJkLKzMkP3 — Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 21, 2025 Pooran’s compassion off the pitch is mirrored by his scintillating form on it. The 29-year-old has been one of the standout performers in IPL 2025, currently ranking as the second-highest run scorer of the season. In just eight innings, he has amassed 368 runs at an impressive average of 52.57, coupled with a phenomenal strike rate of 205.58. The West Indian powerhouse has already notched up four half-centuries this season, playing some unforgettable innings including a 75 off 30 balls against Delhi Capitals, 70 off 26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, an unbeaten 87 off 36 versus Kolkata Knight Riders, and 61 off 34 against Gujarat Titans. Thanks in large part to Pooran’s explosive performances, Lucknow Super Giants sit fifth on the points table with five victories from eight matches, totaling ten points. As they prepare for their upcoming clash against the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals, LSG will aim to continue building on their winning momentum and inch closer to a playoff berth.
22 April,2025 05:09 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
'We held...': Anaya Bangar posts fun hangout with Sarfaraz Khan and his father
Anaya Bangar, the child of former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, recently shared a heartfelt glimpse into her personal and social life, posting pictures online with close friend Sarfaraz Khan and his father, Naushad Khan. In the post, Anaya reflected on their enduring friendship, writing, 'We held bats before we held phones. Friends since the beginning', while also penning a sweet note for Sarfaraz’s younger brother Musheer, saying, 'Missed you @musheerkhan.97.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar) While Sarfaraz has remained a familiar name in domestic and international cricket, he is notably absent from the ongoing IPL 2025 season, having gone unsold in the previous year’s mega auction held in Jeddah. Sarfaraz, who began his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, went on to represent Punjab Kings for three seasons before joining Delhi Capitals. The 27-year-old has also donned the India Test jersey six times, notching up a personal best of 150 runs. Musheer was, however, picked up by Punjab Kings for his base price of Rs 30 lakh, following an impressive performance in the India U19 World Cup 2024. Despite his IPL contract, he is yet to make his debut in the tournament. Anaya, meanwhile, has been gaining attention not just for her candid presence on social media but also for speaking out on deeply personal experiences. In a recent interview with Lallantop, she opened up about her journey of gender transformation and the dual realities of acceptance and adversity within cricketing circles. “There has been support and there have been some harassment as well...There have been a few cricketers who randomly sent me nude pictures of them,” she disclosed. “The person used to give gaalis in front of everybody. The same person then used to come and sit beside me and ask for my photos. There was another instance when I was in India, and I told a puraane (veteran) cricketer about my situation. He told me, ‘Let’s go in the car, I want to sleep with you." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar) Assigned male at birth and previously known as Aryan, Anaya began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in 2023 and has since been documenting her transition. She first opened up publicly about her transformation in November, using her platform to advocate for visibility and respect for the transgender community.
22 April,2025 04:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CAB complaint not reason for absence in KKR vs GT game, says Harsha Bhogle
In response to media reports suggesting he was sidelined from commentary duties for Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans due to a complaint from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle has firmly clarified the situation. Bhogle emphasised that he had only been scheduled to commentate on two KKR matches this season, both of which had already concluded. The controversy stems from a letter reportedly sent around ten days ago by CAB secretary Naresh Ojha to the BCCI, requesting the removal of Bhogle and New Zealand commentator Simon Doull from commentary duties for matches at Eden Gardens. The letter followed their critical observations regarding the Eden Gardens pitch, which they claimed was not aiding the home team, KKR. “There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn't at yesterday's game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn't on the list of matches I was down to do!” Bhogle wrote on ‘X’, refuting claims that his absence was due to CAB's complaint. There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn't at yesterday's game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn't on the list of matches I was down to do! Asking me would have resolved the issue. Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two… — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 22, 2025 “Asking me would have resolved the issue. Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I was there for the first and an illness in the family prevented me from being at the 2nd,” he added, without identifying the specific fixtures. Meanwhile, KKR continued to struggle on the field, suffering their second consecutive defeat, this time by 39 runs, against Gujarat Titans. Their earlier loss came at the hands of Punjab Kings. The team’s management has openly voiced dissatisfaction with the Eden Gardens pitch. Both captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit have called for more spin-friendly conditions at their home ground, expressing discontent over the surface's failure to complement their spin-heavy attack, which includes Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali. Following CAB’s defense of curator Sujan Mukherjee, Doull controversially remarked that KKR might consider relocating if their home venue couldn't cater to their strategic needs. Bhogle had also expressed a similar sentiment, asserting that KKR deserved to have the home advantage.
22 April,2025 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Cameron Green scores 100 for Gloucestershire on his return to cricket
Australia's all-rounder Cameron Green has made a return to competitive cricket in England, according to the ICC's official website. After being sidelined for six months due to an injury, Green made his return to competitive cricket while representing Gloucestershire in England's county cricket. Representing the team, in the four-day match against Kent, the right-hander scored a glorious century, which included 12 boundaries. Expressing views on Green's knock, Gloucestershire's head coach, Mark Alleyne, said, "Of course we like his (Green's) runs in the middle, but being an overseas (player) and coming into a club is much more than just performances in the middle". Also Read: Along with Jasprit Bumrah, this woman cricketer has been named Wisden's Leading Cricketers in the World Upon his return to cricket, Cameron Green could turn out to be a dark horse for Australia, if selected, in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, beginning from June 11. After the first innings heroics, the 25-year-old was dismissed for just three runs in the second innings. Alleyne further said that Green made contributions to the team even before the century. The coach further stated that the right-hander's century came in a crucial time and has made a strong start to his Gloucestershire career. "Already without the 100, he had started to make an impact on the group, so that has really consolidated the start to his Gloucestershire career, and he scored such an important 100 at a tricky time for us," the coach concluded. Currently, Australia has a number of batting options within their top six for the one-off Test in June. With Green's form, the all-rounder can be considered for a spot on the team despite the fact that he is still unable to bowl because of the recent surgery, which was due to a long-term back injury. In the past, the injury had led Green to be ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy late last year. It also led him to miss out on Sri Lanka's test tour and the Champions Trophy 2025. (With ANI Inputs)
22 April,2025 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
IPL 2025: Sai Kishore opens up on Eden Gardens' track post victory vs KKR
After registering a 39-run victory in the IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT) spinner Sai Kishore expressed his views on the Eden Gardens' track. The spinner stated that the pitch was gripping enough to claim the wickets and it got better in the second half of the match. "There was enough purchase in the wicket. When we bowled in the second innings, there was more purchase. In such a track, that was a good total to defend," said Sai Kishore in the post-match presentation on Monday. When asked about his plan against KKR's burly all-rounder Andre Russell, the spinner said, "Just tried to change the angle a bit so that the deviation is different. The situation was to attack, I wanted to go slow through the air and get the top-edge". Also Read: LSG vs DC, IPL 2025: Where to watch, squads, pitch report, weather, live streaming and more The 28-year-old left-arm spinner was nothing short of praise for his fellow teammate Rashid Khan. "He's one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. He's getting his wicket-taking knack back. As a team, we don't doubt his abilities, I don't know what it's like in the commentary box. We all believe in him, and I still believe he's the best T20 bowler in the world. The talk has been about playing good cricket, not about the results. Our fielding was very good today. We are just addressing areas where we can play better as a team". GT skipper Shubman Gill's knock was the highlight of the IPL 2025 match against KKR. Facing just 55 deliveries, the right-hander smashed 90 runs, which saw him hit 10 boundaries and three maximums. Consistent performer Sai Sudharsan played a knock of 52 runs in just 36 balls. His knock included six boundaries and a maximum. Swashbuckling Jos Buttler delivered an unbeaten knock of 41 runs, which came in 23 balls, including eight boundaries. Defending a total of 199 runs, GT bowlers showcased incredible skills with the ball. Pacer Prasidh Krishna and spinner Rashid Khan claimed two wickets each. Lead pacer Mohammed Siraj, Impact Player Ishan Sharma, Washington Sundar and Kishore registered one wicket each to their names. GT will now engage in their upcoming IPL 2025 encounter against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 28. (With ANI Inputs)
22 April,2025 02:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent