On a dramatic Monday night, Delhi Capitals found themselves in dire straits at 65/5 while chasing a daunting target of 210. At that moment, it seemed inevitable that Lucknow Super Giants would seal a comfortable victory. However, what followed was an extraordinary fightback that turned the match on its head.
Ashutosh Sharma’s blistering half-century, coupled with a rapid 15-ball 39 from Vipraj Nigam, orchestrated an improbable comeback. With just three balls remaining, DC secured a stunning win, leaving the opposition and spectators in sheer disbelief.
For Rishabh Pant, who was making his debut as LSG captain, it was a night to forget. His six-ball duck, questionable on-field decisions, and a costly missed stumping in the final over placed him under intense scrutiny.
Adding to the drama, visuals of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in conversation with Pant and head coach Justin Langer quickly went viral on social media. The scene evoked memories of a similar incident from IPL 2024 when Goenka’s heated exchange with then-captain KL Rahul sparked controversy. That fallout eventually led to Rahul’s release before the mega auction later that year.
During the high-stakes auction, LSG went all-in on Pant, securing him for a record-breaking ₹27 crore—making him the most expensive signing in IPL history. However, his tenure began on a sour note with this unexpected defeat.
Reflecting on the loss during the post-match presentation, Pant admitted that fortune had played a role in LSG’s downfall. “Luck played a part in LSG losing the match they should have won,” he remarked.
The stunning victory for DC will be remembered as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in IPL history, while Pant and LSG will have much to ponder as the tournament progresses.
