In a nail-biting IPL 2025 encounter at Visakhapatnam, Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant maintained remarkable composure when reflecting on a potentially match-defining missed stumping that contributed to his team’s shocking defeat against Delhi Capitals.
The match, which swung dramatically in the final over, saw Delhi Capitals complete a stunning comeback from 65/5 to chase down LSG’s imposing 200+ target with just one wicket to spare.
“Definitely, luck plays a part in this game, and if it could have missed his pads, it was a chance for stumping. But these things happen in the game of cricket. You can’t focus on these things, but rather, you need to play better cricket,” Pant acknowledged in the post-match press conference.
The pivotal moment came in the final over when Delhi needed six runs from six balls. Pant entrusted Shahbaz Ahmed with the crucial responsibility, and the first delivery saw Mohit Sharma advance down the track only to miss. Despite a clear stumping opportunity, Pant couldn’t collect cleanly. The LSG captain then opted for a DRS review for an LBW appeal, but replays confirmed the ball had missed the stumps.
That reprieve proved costly as Mohit managed a single, bringing the match-winner Ashutosh Sharma back on strike. The 26-year-old sensation, who had already crafted a brilliant 66 not out, sealed Delhi’s victory in emphatic style by launching a decisive six over Shahbaz’s head.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to field, Delhi Capitals saw their bowlers put under pressure by LSG’s formidable batting lineup. Mitchell Marsh’s commanding 72 and Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 75 formed the backbone of Lucknow’s imposing total that seemed more than competitive on the Visakhapatnam surface.
“I think our top-order batters played really well, and I think it was a pretty good score on this wicket,” Pant said. “As a team, we are looking to take positives from every match and learn from it. The more basics we do right, the more it is going to be better for us in the future.”
Delhi’s chase initially appeared doomed as they slumped to 65/5 inside the powerplay, with LSG’s bowlers seeming to have the match firmly in their control. However, a series of crucial partnerships orchestrated Delhi’s remarkable resurrection.
The revival began with a 55-run stand between Ashutosh and promising youngster Vipraj Nigam, who contributed a valuable 39. This was followed by a 45-run partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh, before Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis added another crucial 43 runs to keep Delhi’s hopes alive.
Reflecting on what turned the match, Pant observed, “I think they had a couple of good partnerships. One with Stubbs, one with Ashutosh, and one with Vipraj Nigam. I think Nigam did a pretty good job and took the game away from us.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss that will undoubtedly raise questions about Pant’s decision to give Shahbaz the final over instead of a more experienced bowler, the LSG captain remained philosophical: “There was enough for the bowlers, but I think we could have done the basics right. We felt the pressure, we are still settling in, but a lot of positives to take from this match.”
For Delhi Capitals, this victory marks one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent IPL history, while Lucknow Super Giants will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.