BY lithira ekanayaka

Sri Lanka’s in-form opener Pathum Nissanka made his much-awaited IPL debut on Wednesday for Delhi Capitals (DC) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, his stay at the crease was short-lived as he was dismissed for just one run.

Lucknow, having been put into bat first were bowled out for 141 runs in 18.4 overs, with their innings failing to gain any high momentum. 

Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad were the only two LSG batters to score over 30 runs, making 35 and 36 respectively. Lungi Ngidi and T. Natarajan were the pick of Capitals’ bowlers, claiming three wickets each.

Chasing a modest target, Delhi Capitals suffered an early setback as their top order collapsed to 26/4 inside the first five overs. Mohammed Shami struck with the very first ball dismissing KL Rahul for a golden duck. Pathum Nissanka and Axar Patel then fell to Prince Yadav, out for 1 in five balls and a golden duck respectively. However, the middle-order duo of Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs put together a composed, match-winning unbeaten partnership to complete the run chase with ease. 

Sameer Rizvi’s knock of 70 off 47 balls included five fours and six sixes, while Stubbs scored 39 off 32 balls stabilising the innings.