After being bundled out for a modest 141, Lucknow Super Giants needed nothing short of a dream start with the ball—and that’s exactly what they got, courtesy of Mohammed Shami. Opening the bowling in the second innings, Shami wasted no time in making an impact. On the very first delivery, he struck gold, removing KL Rahul for a golden duck.
It was a moment that instantly shifted the energy at the Ekana Stadium, giving LSG a much-needed boost after a disappointing outing with the bat against the Delhi Capitals. The delivery itself was a classic Shami setup—pitched full and shaping away just outside off stump. With limited protection on the boundary, Rahul went chasing the ball, looking to capitalize early.
However, the movement off the pitch forced a thick outside edge, and the ball flew towards deep backward point. Positioned perfectly, Mohsin Khan completed a safe reverse-cup catch near his chest, sealing a perfect start for the home side.
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Shami’s celebration said it all. After months of hard work and a long road back from injury, this was a statement moment. His recent performances in domestic cricket for Bengal had already hinted at a strong comeback, and he now seems to be carrying that rhythm into the Indian Premier League 2026.
— Nickk Knight (@KnightNick34590) April 1, 2026
This early breakthrough was crucial, especially after LSG’s batting struggles earlier in the match, where they failed to build partnerships against a disciplined DC bowling attack led by Lungi Ngidi and Kuldeep Yadav. Defending a below-par total, early wickets were always going to be key—and Shami delivered under pressure.
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With momentum briefly swinging in their favour, LSG will now look to build on this start and apply sustained pressure on the Delhi batting lineup. If Shami continues to hit the right lengths with the new ball, this contest could still turn into a closely fought battle despite the low total.
