Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Apr 22: Pacer Mukesh Kumar's brilliant four-wicket haul helped Delhi Capitals restrict Lucknow Super Giants to a total of 159/6 in their top-of-the-table clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Delhi, opting to bowl first, saw their skipper Axar Patel take the new ball, surprising everyone with his decision to bowl four overs up front. Axar's tight spell of 0-29 in his quota helped curb the early surge from Lucknow’s Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. The duo put up a fiery start, with Markram bringing up his half-century off just 30 balls before being dismissed for 52 by Chameera’s outside-off delivery, caught by Tristan Stubbs.

The pressure continued to mount as Kuldeep Yadav came in, but Nicholas Pooran (9) countered briefly with two boundaries before falling victim to Mitchell Starc's slower bouncer, being bowled out in what was their fifth T20 meeting.

Lucknow’s management then promoted Abdul Samad (2) up the order, but he was dismissed after a quick catch off Kumar's bowling. The wicket spree continued as Marsh (45) was bowled out by a yorker from Kumar, leaving Lucknow in further trouble.

Despite some late resistance from Ayush Badoni (36), who struck three consecutive fours in the final over, Lucknow’s innings crumbled as they were restricted to their lowest total of the season. The final blow came when Rishabh Pant (0) was dismissed off the last ball of the innings, leaving the visitors struggling to a total of 159/6.

Brief score:

Lucknow Super Giants: 159/6 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 52, Mitchell Marsh 45, Ayush Badoni 36; Mukesh Kumar 4-33, Mitchell Starc 1-25, Dushmantha Chameera 1-25) against Delhi Capitals.