IPL 2025, DC vs LSG: How the 'Impact Players' fared
What's the story
In an absolute thriller, Delhi Capitals beat Lucknow Super Giants by a solitary wicket in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Vizag.
The game, which marked the start of both teams' campaigns, saw LSG post 209/8 while batting first.
In response, DC suffered a top-order collapse before making a terrific bounce back.
They eventually prevailed in the final over thanks to Ashutosh Sharma's 66*.
Here we look at how the 'Impact Players' fared in the game.
Summary
How did the game pan out?
Mitchell Marsh (72) and Nicholas Pooran (75) gave LSG a fiery start.
However, some brilliant bowling from DC bowlers, particularly from Kuldeep Yadav (2/20) and Mitchell Starc (3/42), meant LSG finished at 209/8.
DC, in reply, lost two wickets in the first over. LSG bowlers further reduced them to 65/5.
However, fiery knocks from Tristan Stubbs (34), Ashutosh, and Vipraj Nigam (39) brought DC right back.
It was Ashutosh, who showcased jaw-dropping character toward the end.
LSG
Two vital scalps for Manimaran Siddharth
Left-arm spinner Manimaran Siddharth was LSG's 'Impact Player' as he displaced Marsh.
Tasked to bowl the second over, he dismissed Sameer Rizvi (4) with his fourth over.
Later in the 13th over, he trapped the dangerous-looking Stubbs (34) with a dream delivery right after conceding two successive sixes.
The 26-year-old hence finished with 2/39 from four overs.
DC
Ashutosh aces the finisher's role yet again
For DC, Ashutosh was the 'Impact Player.' He replaced Mukesh Kumar.
The Capitals were reeling at 65/5 when he arrived to bat.
Ashutosh, who aced the finisher's role for Punjab Kings last season, struggled for big hits early on.
However, he shifted gears toward the end and made a breathtaking half-century (66* off 31 balls). He smoked five fours and as many sixes.
Notably, the swashbuckler was involved in vital stands with Stubbs and Nigam.
Information
Remarkable resilience from Ashutosh
Notably, DC needed 18 off nine balls when they lost their ninth wicket. LSG looked like favorites at this point. However, Ashutosh had different plans. He backed his attacking game as DC prevailed with three balls to go. He smashed Shahbaz Ahmed for the winning six.