Lucknow Super Giants began the Indian Premier League 2023 season with a resounding win over Delhi Capitals at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow on 1 April. The win came on the back of the batters and Mark Wood, who registered a five-wicket haul.
Delhi Capitals captain David Warner won the toss and decided to field first. KL Rahul looked out of sorts before Chetan Sakaryia dismissed LSG captain Rahul. Kyle Mayers struggled initially against disciplined DC bowling. Mayers was given a reprieve as Khaleel Ahmed dropped the sitter. At the end of the first six overs, Lucknow Super Giants made 30 for 1.
After the drop chance, Mayers kept the pressure on Delhi Capitals bowlers hitting sixes at will. Mayers took the charge putting enough pressure on DC bowlers completing his fifty off just 28 deliveries. On other hand, Deepak Hooda struggled to time the ball. Kuldeep Yadav struck for DC dismissing Hooda with a simple catch to Warner.
Hooda and Mayers added 79 runs for the 2nd wicket. Axar Patel produced peach getting rid of dangerous Kyle Mayers. Khaleel Ahmed got rid of Marcus Stoinis to bring back DC into the game. Nicolas Pooran looked in great touch putting enough pressure on DC bowlers with brutal hitting along with Ayush Badoni with some lusty hits.
A day to remember for @MAWood33 who is adjudged Player of the Match for his incredible fifer 👏@LucknowIPL start their season with a win! 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/086EqX92dA #TATAIPL#TATAIPL | #LSGvDC pic.twitter.com/rKDaMkvFI0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 1, 2023
Pooran’s cameo came to an end as Shaw took a sharp catch. Pooran and Badoni added 48 runs for the 5th wicket. Ayush Badoni showed his class with a quickfire cameo. Krishnappa Gowtham came as an impact player replacing Badoni with a six off the last delivery to help Lucknow Super Giants post 194 for 5 in 20 overs.
Mark Wood impresses with brilliant bowling
Mark Wood showed him with his sharp bowling troubling the Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup. After a decent start by Warner and Prithvi Shaw, Wood rattled the stumps of Shaw and Mitchell Marsh off successive deliveries bowling at 147 KMPH.
He then produced another sharp delivery to dismiss Sarfaraz Khan caught by Gowtham at fine leg. Wood picked up 3 wickets in his first spell putting Delhi Capitals under immense pressure. Wood was given the final over dismissing Axar Patel and Chetan Sakaryia to end with 5 for 14 in 4 overs. Lucknow Super Giants won the match by 50 runs.
For his match-winning spell with 5 for 14, Mark Wood was named the player of the match award. Wood was retained by LSG before the mini-auction. LSG bought Wood for Rs 7.50 Crore but due to a right elbow injury, Wood did not take part in the tournament.
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