IPL 2024 - Is the DC vs LSG game more in favour of RCB's Playoff qualification? Netizens have their say

Match 64 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could swing either way. While LSG has lost 9 wickets so far, fans online believe that both teams are playing in a manner that favours Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to have a better chance of making it to the Playoffs.

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With 3 spots remaining to be filled for the Top 4, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) already qualified, fans are now eager to see which other three teams will secure their positions. However, fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) believe that the way LSG and DC are playing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium suggests an epic showdown on Saturday between RCB and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be decider.

LSG's chase:

While chasing the 209 runs set by DC, LSG skipper KL Rahul departed early, scoring just 5 off 3 balls. Quinton de Kock departed after scoring 12 off 8 balls, while Marcus Stoinis was stumped for 5 off 7. Deepak Hooda could not contribute much as he departed for a 2-ball duck, but Nicholas Pooran's 27-ball 61 gave LSG hope.

Ayush Badoni also departed after scoring just 6 off 9 balls, while Krunal Pandya hit 18 off 18. Yudhvir Singh Charak posted 14 off 22 towards the later end of the innings.

Arshad Khan, who got his maiden T20 half-century in 25 balls is holding fort towards the end, but he faces a mammoth task with 9 wickets down and Lucknow Super Giants needing 23 runs in 6 balls.

DC's innings:

DC surpassed the 200-run mark despite Jake Fraser-McGurk departing for a duck. Abishek Porel (58 off 33) and Shai Hope (38 off 27) forged a crucial partnership of 92, stabilizing the innings.

Later in the innings, captain Rishabh Pant contributed with a valuable 33 off 23 balls, while Tristan Stubbs provided a late surge with a blistering 57 off just 25 balls. Stubbs initially took his time but then exploded with aggressive strokes.

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During the middle overs, Ravi Bishnoi maintained tight control, bowling flat and fast outside off, frequently outfoxing the batsmen with his variations. However, LSG suffered due to a couple of dropped catches by Bishnoi. Naveen-ul-Haq claimed two wickets, while Arshad Khan and Bishnoi chipped in with one each.

Teams:

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Abishek Porel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Gulbadin Naib, Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed

Impact Subs: Ishant Sharma, Kumar Kushagra, Praveen Dubey, Swastik Chikara, Lalit Yadav

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): KL Rahul(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshad Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan

Impact Subs: Manimaran Siddharth, Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Prerak Mankad, Krishnappa Gowtham