The 40th match of the IPL 2025 between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants had its share of drama and entertainment — both with the bat and in player interactions. The game, held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, saw DC skipper Axar Patel not just lead with the ball, but also become a source of light-hearted moments on the field.
Axar Patel won the toss and made the bold decision to bowl first. Surprisingly, he opened the bowling himself and completed his four-over quota within the first seven overs. This tactical move helped him avoid bowling to LSG’s trio of dangerous left-handers — Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Rishabh Pant.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant Loses Cool Over Wasted DRS, Almost Slaps Digvesh Rathi in Frustration
With the bat, Axar was equally impactful, playing an aggressive knock with a high strike rate that helped Delhi gain crucial momentum. But one of the more amusing moments of the match came in the 13th over of Delhi’s chase. As pacer Avesh Khan walked past Axar after a delivery, the DC skipper playfully nudged into him. The two shared a laugh and exchanged a few words, giving fans a fun moment amidst the intensity of the chase.
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Earlier in the match, tensions briefly flared on the LSG side. A misjudged DRS call involving debutant spinner Digvesh Rathi and KL Rahul triggered an angry reaction from Rishabh Pant. The appeal came in the 7th over when Rathi beat Rahul with a sharply spinning delivery. Despite Rathi’s insistence, replays clearly showed the impact was outside off, and the decision stayed with the umpire.
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As “Not Out” flashed on the screen, Pant mockingly raised his hand toward Rathi, pretending to slap him — a moment that walked the line between humor and frustration. The match was a blend of fierce competition and subtle humour, showcasing the many shades of IPL cricket.
