IPL 2026: DC's Ngidi, Natarajan restrict LSG to 141 runs in Lucknow
Lucknow, April 1
Lucknow Super Giants was bowled out for 141 runs in their opening match of the Indian Premier League 2026 against Delhi Capitals here on Wednesday.
Asked to bat first, LSG captain Rishabh Pant came to open the batting alongside Mitch Marsh at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
The duo started well and was looking good, but an unlucky dismissal of Pant started the flurry of wickets for the hosts. Marsh's straight shot touched Mukesh Kumar's hand, and the ball went straight into the wickets at the non-striker's end, where Pant was outside the crease.
While Aiden Markram hit a six and a four, but Axar Patel bowled him. T Natarajan got rid of Ayush Badoni cheaply. Nicholas Pooran couldn't score in double digits and holed out to Lungi Ngidi. Marsh's fighting knock of 35 runs off 28 balls, with the help of three sixes and a couple of fours, was ended by Kuldeep Yadav. He also dismissed Mukul Choudhary with a soft caught and bowled dismissal.
Abdul Samad made 36 runs off 25 balls and added 33 runs for the seventh wicket with Shahbaz Ahmed, who remained unbeaten on 15 runs off 16 balls. Lungi Ngidi got the wickets of tailenders to restrict the LSG's innings to 141 runs.
Ngidi and Natarajan took three wickets each, whereas Kuldeep Yadav grabbed a couple of wickets. Captain Axar Patel also got one wicket of Markram.
Now, Delhi Capitals need 142 runs to win the match and start the season with a bang.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Feeling sad for Rishabh Pant. Such an unlucky way to get out after coming back strong. But that's cricket! Marsh tried to hold the innings, but the middle order just vanished. Abdul Samad's 36 was the only positive. LSG needs to sort out their batting order quickly.
T Natarajan is a gem for India and now for DC! Yorker king is back in business. Kuldeep Yadav's double wicket over was the turning point. DC's chase should be comfortable unless Bishnoi spins a web.
As a neutral fan, this was a fantastic bowling display. However, I feel the article focuses too much on dismissals and not enough on the match context or pitch report. What is a good score at Ekana? That would help understand if 141 is competitive.
LSG's Indian batting failed badly. Badoni, Samad, Shahbaz... they need to take more responsibility when the overseas players don't fire. 141 is below par, but in Lucknow, with the spinners, you never know! Expecting a tight finish.
Axar Patel leading from the front with a wicket! DC looks like a balanced side this year. Hope they chase this down without any hiccups. Shaw and Warner, time to shine! 💪 #IPL2026
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