Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants - IPL 2025 Match Preview

A Battle of Undermanned Giants in Visakhapatnam

With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul switching sides this season, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) enter IPL 2025 with fresh strategies and revamped squads. However, both teams are grappling with injuries even before their first match. Harry Brook has withdrawn from the tournament, and LSG’s Indian pace unit is heavily depleted, putting them at a disadvantage.

Despite their struggles last season, both teams now have an opportunity to gain momentum early. The match will be held at Dr. YSR ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, DC’s temporary home ground. The venue has a history of high-scoring games, and with LSG’s weakened pace attack, DC’s batters could look to dominate.

Match Details

? When: Monday, March 24, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
? Where: Dr. YSR Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

What to Expect

The last IPL match at this venue saw Kolkata Knight Riders amass a record-breaking 272 runs. With LSG’s struggling bowling attack, DC has a golden opportunity to capitalize and post a formidable total. Interestingly, both previous IPL matches at this ground were won by teams batting first.

Head-to-Head Record

? LSG lead 3-2
? Both of DC’s wins came last season

Team News & Strategies

Delhi Capitals (DC)

? Injury Update: Harry Brook’s withdrawal might disrupt DC’s plans but also opens up a chance to reinforce the batting lineup.

? Tactics & Matchups: LSG’s middle order has multiple left-handers, which could reduce Axar Patel’s impact. However, Kuldeep Yadav and Tristan Stubbs’ part-time off-spin could be crucial.

? Probable XI:
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan (Impact Sub: Karun Nair/Mohit Sharma)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

? Injury Update: Mohsin Khan is out, with Shardul Thakur stepping in. Several key Indian pacers, including Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan, are also sidelined.

? Tactics & Matchups: DC’s top seven has only two left-handers (Axar Patel and Abhisek Porel), which could allow LSG’s spinners to play a significant role.

? Probable XI:
Arshin Kulkarni, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravi Bishnoi, Shamar Joseph (Impact Sub: Akash Singh/Shahbaz Ahmed/Manimaran Siddarth)

Key Stats & Trivia

? DC played two home games in Visakhapatnam in IPL 2024, winning one and losing one.
? Both IPL matches at this venue have been won by teams batting first.
? Rishabh Pant last opened a T20 match in November 2022. In the IPL, he last opened in 2016.
? KL Rahul has the third-lowest strike rate among IPL openers since 2023.

This clash between injury-hit teams presents a golden opportunity for one of them to grab an early season win and build momentum.