Image Credits: JioHotstarDelhi Capitals (DC) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 3 of IPL 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Skipper Axar Patel cited the potential impact of dew later in the match as the reason for choosing to chase.
LSG forced to rely on Indian bowling attack
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2025 campaign without several of their key pacers, including Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav, who are unavailable for the opener. Despite these absences, LSG has opted for an all-Indian bowling lineup, featuring Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmad, and Digvesh in the playing XI.
With limited overseas options in the bowling department, LSG’s leadership has backed its Indian core to step up in challenging conditions at Vizag. The franchise’s decision to load the batting lineup with foreign players—Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller—indicates a strategy to post a strong total on what is expected to be a batting-friendly pitch.
Toss Report: Axar Patel backs dew factor
After winning the toss, Axar Patel explained DC’s decision to chase: “It’s the dew factor, we don’t want to take any risks. I have played with Rishabh before, and we know each other’s tricks. Our side is well-balanced, and I need to think like a leader.”
LSG captain Rishabh Pant, playing against his former franchise, expressed confidence in setting a strong target: “It’s a good wicket, we can bat well. I have played for DC all my life, so there’s a lot of emotion there.”
DC vs LSG: Playing XI
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
Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande
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
Lucknow Super Giants Impact Subs: Manimaran Siddharth, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Akash Singh, RS Hangargekar.
