The stage is set for Match 3 of IPL 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, where Delhi Capitals (DC) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). DC captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing the potential dew factor later in the game.
Toss Report
Axar Patel, the new captain for Delhi Capitals, emphasized the importance of bowling first to counter any dew-related challenges. “We are going to bowl first. It’s the dew factor, we don’t want to take any risks,” Axar said. “I have played a lot for the Capitals, and we have a well-balanced side.” He confirmed DC’s four overseas players: Faf du Plessis, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. KL Rahul will not play the first match as he has been granted permission to sit out of the match due to the upcoming birth of his first child.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who spent his entire IPL career with Delhi before moving to Lucknow, admitted it was an emotional moment for him. “I have played for DC all my life, so there’s a lot of emotion there. Preparations have gone well, and everyone is in the right shape,” Pant said. LSG’s four overseas players for the match are Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller.
Pitch Report
The Vizag surface promises a high-scoring encounter, with 62m square boundaries and a 73m straight boundary. The pitch has been rolled extensively for over a month, making it hard and even, with minimal grass cover. Experts predict a batting-friendly track, with 180-190 runs being a par total.
With both teams boasting explosive batting lineups, a thrilling contest awaits as Lucknow sets out to post a competitive total. Will DC’s bowling unit, led by Starc, capitalize on the conditions, or will LSG’s power hitters dominate on this flat track? The action is about to unfold in Vizag.
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel(w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar
Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant(w/c), David Miller, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi
