Mark Wood. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The exciting action continued in the Indian Premier League 2023 on Saturday, April 1 as the fans got treated to a doubleheader on Day 2 of the tournament. After Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 runs (DLS method) in the first match of the day, Delhi Capitals locked horns with Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Delhi captain David Warner won the toss and invited Lucknow to bat first. The hosts didn’t get off to the best of the starts as captain KL Rahul was dismissed in the fourth over after scoring just 8 runs off 12 balls. Following his wicket, Kyle Mayers took the innings forward and took the attack to Delhi’s bowlers after a slow start.

He went on to play a scintillating knock of 73 off 38 balls smashing two fours and seven sixes in his innings. Following his dismissal Nicholas Pooran (36 off 21) and Krunal Pandya (15* off 13) added 48 runs for the fifth wicket off 26 balls.

Ayush Badoni (18 off 7) and the Impact Player Krishnappa Gowtham (6* off 1) gave the perfect finish to the innings as Lucknow posted a massive 193/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi who picked up 2/30 in 4 overs while Chetan Sakariya also picked up 2/53 in 4 overs.

Mark Wood derails Delhi’s Chase with his five-wicket haul

In reply, Delhi got off to a decent start as openers Warner and Prithvi Shaw added 41 runs for the first wicket off 27 balls. However, Mark Wood destroyed the timbers of Shaw and Mitchell Marsh on consecutive deliveries in the fifth over to bring his side back into the game. The speedster further dismissed Srafaraz Khan in the next over leaving Delhi Capitals reeling at 48/3 after 7 overs.

Warner and Rilee Rossouw tried to stabilise the innings, however, couldn’t extend their partnership beyond 38 as Ravi Bishnoi sent Rossouw packing for 30 off 20 balls.

Warner was trying his best to keep his side in the game, however, he couldn’t keep up with the required run rate and was dismissed trying to up the ante in the 16th over. Following his dismissal there was nothing left in the game for DC who finished their innings on 143/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Mark Wood returned in the final over and picked up two more wickets to complete his five-wicket haul to finish with figures of 5/14 in 4 overs.

As a result, Lucknow got their IPL 2023 campaign off to a winning start defeating Delhi by 50 runs.

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