Credit: BCCI/IPL
In the 40th match of the IPL 2025 season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hosted the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in a high-stakes encounter. While the match promised plenty of action, the spotlight was firmly on LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, whose performance has been under scrutiny throughout the season. Unfortunately for LSG fans, Pant’s woes with the bat continued. Batting at No. 7, a surprising move by the team management, Pant was dismissed for a 2-ball duck by Mukesh Kumar. Following his wicket, cameras captured Sanjiv Goenka's subtle smile, which quickly became a talking point among fans and analysts.
These instances have led to comparisons with Goenka's previous interactions with former LSG captain KL Rahul, where he was seen engaging in intense discussions following underwhelming performances. Pant’s form has been one of LSG’s major setbacks this season. Across eight matches, he has only scored 106 runs with a strike rate of 96, far below expectations for a player known for explosive batting. His performance has also raised questions about his role and position in the batting order, especially as LSG’s middle-order continues to falter under pressure.
Bowling brilliance from DC’s Mukesh Kumar restricts LSG to 159/6 in 20 overs
Meanwhile, in the first innings of the match, LSG posted a competitive total of 159/6 after opting to bat first. The innings was anchored by Aiden Markram, who scored a composed 52 off 33 balls, stabilizing the innings after early wickets. Alongside him, Mitchell Marsh helped build a solid foundation with an 87-run opening partnership, which looked promising for a larger total.
Impact player Ayush Badoni also added a handy 36 runs to the total as LSG scampered to reach a defendable total. However, DC’s bowling unit made a strong comeback in the latter stages of the innings. Mukesh Kumar was particularly impressive, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs and disrupting LSG’s momentum with some clever variations and disciplined death-over bowling
