Match 40 of IPL 2025 is set to witness a high-stakes clash as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Tuesday. With both teams eyeing a playoff berth, the contest promises to be an intense showdown. The last time these two sides met earlier this season, it went down to the wire, with Delhi clinching a one-wicket win, thanks to Ashutosh Sharma’s last-over heroics.
LSG will head into this encounter with a boost of confidence following their narrow 2-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals. Their top order has consistently provided solid starts during the powerplay, while their death bowling has emerged as a key strength. A win here will allow them to leapfrog Delhi in the points table. As things stand, LSG are fifth with five wins in eight games.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel in the absence of Rishabh Pant, are looking to bounce back after a seven-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans. With five wins in seven games, DC are currently sitting in second place, but another defeat could derail their momentum heading into the crucial business end of the season.
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Historically, these two teams have faced off only six times since LSG joined the league in 2022. LSG won the first three encounters, but DC have bounced back strongly, winning the next three, including a tight contest earlier this year, levelling their head-to-head at 3-3.
With playoff implications on the line, expect a fiery contest and some key matchups to take center stage.
#1 Mitchell Marsh vs Mitchell Starc
And then there’s the Aussie duel—Mitchell Marsh vs Mitchell Starc. In their earlier clash, Marsh took Starc to the cleaners, smashing him for 20 runs in five balls. Starc, with four powerplay wickets this season, will be out for revenge and will look to make early inroads.
#2 KL Rahul vs Ravi Bishnoi
Despite operating in the middle order, KL Rahul has scored 266 runs at an average of 53.20 this season but has struggled against leg-spin, especially in the middle overs. Bishnoi, a former LSG teammate, will be keen to continue that trend—leg-spinners have dismissed Rahul twice in just four innings, with the batter striking at only 61.53.
#3 Nicholas Pooran vs Kuldeep Yadav
The in-form Nicholas Pooran, who leads the Orange Cap race with 368 runs at a strike rate of 205.88, is the backbone of LSG’s middle-order. However, Kuldeep has had the upper hand in T20s, dismissing Pooran five times in 11 innings. With 12 wickets at an economy of 6.25 this season, Kuldeep will be looking to exploit that edge.
