Lucknow: Delhi Capitals kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in style with a six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, April 1, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten knock from Sameer Rizvi.
Chasing a modest target, Rizvi played a match-winning innings of 70 not out off 47 balls, anchoring Delhi’s recovery after a dramatic top-order collapse.
After winning the toss, DC skipper Axar Patel opted to bowl first, going against conventional data. “Data says a lot of matches are won by the team batting first, but we thought it’s the first game and we will bowl,” he said — a decision that proved spot on.
Delhi’s bowlers dominated proceedings early on, bundling out Lucknow for just 141 in 18.4 overs. Lungi Ngidi (3/27) and T Natarajan (3/29) led the charge with impressive spells.
For Lucknow, Mitchell Marsh (35) and Abdul Samad (36) offered some resistance, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled, with only five players reaching double figures.
Delhi’s chase, however, got off to a disastrous start. KL Rahul was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball by Mohammed Shami, while Pathum Nissanka managed just one run. Captain Axar Patel also fell for a golden duck, leaving DC reeling at 26/4 inside five overs after a breakthrough from Prince Yadav.
With the match slipping away, 22-year-old Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs turned things around with a remarkable unbeaten partnership of 119 runs off just 76 balls.
Rizvi took the aggressive route, smashing five boundaries and four sixes, finishing with a strike rate of 148.93 — the highest in the match. Stubbs played the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 39 off 32 deliveries and ensuring stability at the other end.
Their partnership effectively shut the door on Lucknow’s chances, sealing a memorable win for Delhi after a shaky start.