Sameer Rizvi Stars with Unbeaten 70 as Delhi Capitals Clinch Dominant Win Over Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow, April 2026 : The Delhi Capitals made a powerful start to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The win was anchored by a brilliant unbeaten knock of 70 from Sameer Rizvi, who stitched together a match-winning 119-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs.

Chasing a modest target of 142, Delhi Capitals found themselves under early pressure as Lucknow’s pace-heavy attack exploited favourable conditions. KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck, slicing an outswinger from Mohammed Shami to deep backward point. Nitish Rana also struggled to settle, managing a few boundaries before edging a delivery from Mohsin Khan behind the stumps.

The early breakthroughs were complemented by Prince Yadav, who made a significant impact during the Power-play. He first removed Pathum Nissanka with a top-edged shot that was well caught by skipper Rishabh Pant, and then bowled Axar Patel with a late-swinging delivery that rattled the stumps.

At that stage, Delhi Capitals were in trouble, struggling to keep up with the required rate as the pitch continued to assist seam movement. However, Sameer Rizvi showed remarkable composure under pressure. After a slow start, where he struggled to rotate the strike, Rizvi gradually found his rhythm. A cleverly executed ramp shot for six helped him break free, and he soon followed it up with a series of boundaries, particularly targeting the spinners.

Rizvi found an able partner in Tristan Stubbs, who provided stability at the other end. The duo built their partnership patiently before accelerating at the right moments. Stubbs rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries, ensuring that the pressure never built up again. Their 119-run stand not only steadied the innings but also shifted the momentum decisively in Delhi’s favour.

Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals’ bowlers had set up the victory with a disciplined and incisive performance. After being put into bat, Lucknow Super Giants endured a shaky start. In a surprising move, Rishabh Pant promoted himself to open the innings but was run out early in a bizarre incident involving Mukesh Kumar. A slight deflection off the bowler’s hand saw the ball crash into the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Pant short of his crease.

Mukesh Kumar was impressive with the new ball, maintaining tight lines and extracting movement off the surface. He kept Mitchell Marsh in check, denying him scoring opportunities outside the off stump. Axar Patel then struck by dismissing Aiden Markram with a skiddy delivery, as Lucknow ended the Power-play at 48/2.

The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Ayush Badoni edged a delivery from T. Natarajan, while Nicholas Pooran was undone by a cleverly disguised slower ball from Lungi Ngidi. Mitchell Marsh tried to anchor the innings but fell for 35 after misjudging a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav.

A brief resistance came from Abdul Samad, who scored 36, and debutant Mukul Choudhary, who chipped in with a quick 14. However, once Samad was dismissed by Natarajan, the lower order collapsed quickly, adding just three runs. Lucknow were eventually bowled out for 141 in 18.4 overs.

Ngidi and Natarajan were the standout performers with the ball, claiming three wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav contributed with two crucial breakthroughs. Their combined effort ensured that Delhi Capitals had a manageable target to chase.

In the end, Sameer Rizvi’s mature and match-defining innings proved to be the difference. His ability to absorb pressure early and then accelerate showcased his growing confidence and temperament at the highest level. Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 39 complemented Rizvi perfectly, as the duo guided Delhi to 145/4 in 17.1 overs.

With this emphatic victory, Delhi Capitals have sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in IPL 2026. Their balanced performance with both bat and ball highlights their intent to be serious contenders this season, while Lucknow Super Giants will look to regroup and address their batting inconsistencies in the upcoming matches.

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)

lost to Delhi Capitals 145/4 in 17.1 overs (Sameer Rizavi 70 not out, Tistan Stunns 39 not out; Prince Yadav 2-20, Mohsin Khan 1-19) by six wickets.