Ngidi, Natarajan Star as Delhi Capitals Bowl Out LSG for 141 in Lucknow

Lucknow, April 2026 : Delhi Capitals delivered a clinical bowling performance to bundle out Lucknow Super Giants for 141 in 18.4 overs in their IPL 2026 clash at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and T. Natarajan led the charge with three wickets apiece, supported well by Kuldeep Yadav and Mukesh Kumar.

After being put in to bat, Lucknow Super Giants experimented with their batting order, promoting captain Rishabh Pant to open. However, the move backfired early as Pant was run out for just seven runs in a bizarre incident. A delivery from Mitchell Marsh deflected slightly off Mukesh Kumar and struck the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Pant short of his crease.

Mukesh Kumar set the tone with an impressive spell during the powerplay, maintaining tight lines and extracting movement off the pitch. He conceded less than a run a ball in his opening three overs, restricting the scoring opportunities for LSG’s top order, particularly Mitchell Marsh.

Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel then joined the attack and struck quickly, dismissing Aiden Markram for 11. Markram, who had just hit a six, was undone by a skiddy delivery that cramped him for room and rattled his stumps. At the end of the powerplay, LSG were struggling at 48 for 2.

The pressure mounted as Ayush Badoni departed soon after, edging a delivery from Natarajan to the wicketkeeper, reducing LSG to 49 for 3. From there, Delhi steadily tightened their grip on the match.

Lungi Ngidi, despite an expensive start, bounced back brilliantly with one of the standout deliveries of the match. He deceived Nicholas Pooran with a slower ball that dipped sharply, leaving the batter completely outfoxed and dismissed for just eight runs.

Mitchell Marsh tried to anchor the innings on a sluggish pitch, managing 35 runs off 28 balls, including a six off Kuldeep Yadav. However, his attempt to attack Kuldeep’s googly resulted in a mistimed shot, leading to a simple catch at long-off.

Debutant Mukul Choudhary showed promise with a quick 14, playing innovative shots including a reverse scoop. He built a brief partnership with Abdul Samad, adding 34 runs, but was eventually dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav after edging a googly back to the bowler.

Abdul Samad fought hard for his 36, providing some late resistance, but lacked support from the other end. Natarajan cleaned him up, triggering a collapse in which the remaining batters managed only three runs.

Delhi Capitals’ disciplined bowling ensured that LSG never gained momentum. Ngidi (3/31) and Natarajan (3/29) were the standout performers, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two crucial wickets.

Brief Scores:
Lucknow Super Giants – 141 all out in 18.4 overs (Mitchell Marsh 35, Abdul Samad 36; T. Natarajan 3/29, Lungi Ngidi 3/31, Kuldeep Yadav 2/31) vs Delhi Capitals.