01 April,2026 11:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rishabh Pant (Pic: AFP)
Delhi Capitals started off their IPL 2026 campaign with a win away against the Lucknow Super Giants. DC chased LSG's total of 142 runs with 6 wickets in hand and 3 overs to spare.
Sameer Rizvi starred with the bat for DC as he scored an unbeaten 70 runs of 47 balls to guide his team home. He was well supported by Tristian Stubbs, who scored 39 runs off 32 balls and helped DC recover from an early collapse.
Speaking after the defeat, LSG captain Rishabh Pant admitted that his team fell short with the bat. The southpaw further added that he was happy with the team's fightback in the early overs with the ball in hand.
"When you score 140, you are not really going to put opposition under pressure, especially on a good wicket like this. But you know, one positive that, you know, boys fought hard, the way we bowled, especially the way we started, definitely some good signs going ahead in the season." Pant said.
Talking about his batting position in the next matches, Pant remained coy on whether he will open the innings again.
"I think it's a 50-50 call, but we'll see. But you will definitely see me in the top order," he added.
LSG's next game is against SRH, while Delhi Capitals will face the Mumbai Indians.
DC skipper Axar Patel was delighted with his team's performance and praised his bowling unit for restricting the opponents to a low total. He further praised Sameer Rizvi for his match-winning knock and was impressed by the young star's shot selection in a crucial stage of the innings.
"It finished early but in the middle it had become close. We just needed one partnership, and that's what we spoke about in the break. Very happy with the bowling effort. The plan was to play Rizvi, but also have the option to Ashutosh Sharma. Last year Ashu did it in the first game and this time Rizvi. He works hard on his game and keeps asking how he can improve himself." Axar Patel said.
