In the 5th match of IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals gave a spirited defense against Lucknow Super Giants as they registered a thumping six-wicket victory in Lucknow Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. Chasing a target of 142, Delhi scored 145 runs in 17.1 overs with the bat courtesy an exceptional knock from Sameer Rizvi who remained unbeaten.
Batting-Struggles for Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants: After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Lucknow failed to build partnerships that would set them on their way as they crumbled for 141 all out in 18.4 overs.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh scored 35 off 28 balls hitting two fours and three sixes, the only Lucknow batter to cross the 30-run mark. His efforts gave the team a reasonable opening, however wickets fell continuously at regular intervals.
Captain Rishabh Pant failed to leave his mark as he was run out after scoring only 7 runs, while Aiden Markram also managed just 11 runs before he was sent packing by Axar Patel.
Middle-order batter Abdul Samad fought a lone battle bottom down the order as he made only 36 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and a six. Shahbaz Ahmed was unbeaten on 15 runs as he attempted to take the total to a competitive score.
Though a few batsmen contributed well, the Lucknow batting lineup buckled in the death overs as they lost their last four wickets in quick succession.
Delhi Bowlers Dominate
The Delhi Capitals bowlers put up a disciplined show to curb the hosts.
The South African pacer Lungi Ngidi was one of the top performers, as he took 3 wickets for just 27 runs in 3.4 overs. Left-arm pacer T Natarajan stood out as well taking 3 wickets for 29 runs.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav too chipped in with a couple of wickets, while skipper Axar Patel also claimed 1 wicket off his economically bowled spell.
That the Delhi bowling attack didn’t allow Lucknow to gain momentum at any point, particularly in the middle overs.
Delhi Capitals’ Chase Gets Early Shock
Pursuing 142, Delhi Capitals were rocked early when wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul fell for a duck first ball, to catch off the bowling of Mohammed Shami.
Afterwards Pathum Nissanka also couldn’t leave any mark with just 1 run on the scoreboard and Nitish Rana’s contribution also was limited to only 15 runs before stepping out. Delhi were reduced to 26/4 in 4.3 overs when captain Axar Patel fell for a duck, which got them into real trouble.
At that point, the match felt well balanced.
Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs Seal the Win
The turning point was a huge partnership that included Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs.
Rizvi stroked 70 runs off 47 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes with a strike rate of nearly 149. He tilted the momentum in Delhi’s favor with his confident batting.
Stubbs superbly supported him with an unbeaten 39 off 32 balls, including three fours and a six.
Delhi Capitals’ chase was anchored by the pair, who stitched together a vital 119-run partnership and took their side past the finish line with 17 balls to spare.
Lucknow Bowlers Try but Fall Short
Lucknow’s bowling unit hinted at an ability but failed to defend the low total.
Shami took one wicket for 28, and Prince Yadav gave a good account of himself with two wickets for 20. Mohsin Khan also picked up one wicket and bowled economically.
But the bowlers never managed to dislodge the Rizvi-Stubbs combination, which settled the result.
Match Summary
- Lucknow Super Giants: 141 all out (18.4 overs)
- Delhi Capitals: 145/4 (17.1 overs)
- Result: Delhi Capitals won by 6 wickets
