New Delhi, 24 March 2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage for high-stakes drama, but this season, the excitement reaches a new level as former teammates turn into fierce rivals. On Monday evening in Visakhapatnam, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will lock horns in a highly anticipated clash, and at the heart of this contest are two familiar faces in unfamiliar jerseys—KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
KL Rahul, once the face of LSG, now dons the Delhi Capitals jersey, while Rishabh Pant, a Delhi legend, takes charge of Lucknow. Their journeys couldn’t be more different. Rahul’s exit from LSG was marred by speculation, with a tense exchange between him and team owner Sanjiv Goenka making headlines. The owner wanted players with a “winning mindset,” while Rahul sought an environment where he felt “loved and cared for.” Now, he gets a fresh start with DC.
Meanwhile, Pant, who fought his way back from a career-threatening accident, is set to lead LSG. Last season, he received a hero’s welcome in Visakhapatnam when he returned to action, and this time, he will be on the opposite side, hoping to make an impact in his new role.
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Both teams have undergone major changes, looking to redefine their identities. LSG faces an uphill battle with their main Indian pacers either injured or recovering. To add to their woes, left-arm quick Mohsin Khan has been ruled out. DC, on the other hand, has bolstered their attack with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Mohit Sharma, and T Natarajan, alongside existing key players Mukesh Kumar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
This makes the contest an exciting clash between LSG’s batting firepower and DC’s formidable bowling lineup.
For Pant, this will be an emotional moment. Having played all 111 of his IPL matches for Delhi since 2016, this will be the first time he faces his former team. Similarly, Rahul, who led LSG to consecutive playoffs, has a golden opportunity to make a statement with the bat.
Another interesting shift is Mitchell Marsh. After a successful stint with DC, where he impressed with both bat and ball, he now joins LSG purely as a batter due to recurring injuries. His experience will be crucial for Lucknow’s middle order.
Rahul’s availability remains uncertain, as he may have to leave for personal reasons. If he isn’t available, DC has a strong backup in Karun Nair, who has been in fine domestic form. Meanwhile, young sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk, who lit up IPL 2024, has struggled for form in T20 cricket since, managing just 188 runs in 10 BBL innings. With so many moving pieces, this match is set to be an enthralling encounter.
