Despite being well-placed at 87 for 1 after 10 overs, LSG faltered dramatically, managing just 72 runs in the back half of their innings, marking their lowest team total in the tournament so far

Aiden Markram top-scored with a fluent 52 off 33 balls, anchoring the innings with composure. Partnering with Mitchell Marsh (45 off 36), the pair added solidity at the top, especially during the Powerplay, as the ball came onto the bat nicely. However, the momentum they built evaporated once Delhi’s bowlers adjusted their strategy to match the conditions

Delhi’s pace trio, Mukesh Kumar (4/33), Mitchell Starc (1/25), and Dushmantha Chameera (1/25), executed their variations with surgical precision, exploiting the pitch’s nuances with clever changes in pace and length

Rishabh Pant’s injured palm also hampered LSG’s effort with the bat. The Delhi skipper came in unusually low at No. 7 and lasted just two balls, departing for a duck. His limited involvement mirrored the team’s waning control during the death overs

Ayush Badoni’s enterprising 36 off 21 balls offered a late flourish, but the damage had been done. Despite his clever stroke play and composure, LSG fell significantly short of a par score on the typically challenging Ekana Stadium surface, giving Delhi Capitals a strong foothold in the contest