Australia’s Jack Fraser-McGurrick announced himself with a fighting half-century on his IPL debut after being stunned by spinner Kuldeep Yadav as Delhi Capitals cruised to six runs against Lucknow Supergiants at the Ekna Cricket Stadium on Friday. Won by wickets. Ayush Baduni (55 not out from 35 balls) scored a blistering unbeaten half-century to help the Supergiants recover to a respectable 167/7 after Kuldeep (3/20) claimed three wickets. Fraser McGurk (55 off 35 balls) and skipper Rishabh Pant (41) put on a 77-run partnership to take the match away from the hosts and ensure DC’s second win of the season. (LSG vs DC Scorecard | IPL 2024 Points Table)

The 22-year-old Australian, known for his aggressive style, shot a length delivery off Yash Thakur at deep midwicket to score his first run in the IPL. He then hit another six in the next over.

Prithvi Shaw (32) looked in good nick but Ravi Bishnoi made an immediate impact as soon as he entered the game, getting rid of the opener, as DC slumped to 63/2. LSG’s bowlers managed to dominate the visitors for a while as Fraser McGurk also struggled to find the boundaries.

But Pant hit Bishnoi’s head for a straight six to not only cross the 3000-run milestone in the IPL but also hit Delhi’s first boundary in 29 balls in the 11th over.

The brilliant wicketkeeper-batsman showed glimpses of his vintage self, playing some daring shots including a reverse scoop from Marcus Stoins.

Pant’s power-hitting eased the pressure on Fraser McGurk who took compatriot Stoins to nearly a run a ball for a hat-trick of sixes.

Earlier, Kuldeep, returning to the team after missing three matches due to a groin bug, took three wickets for 20 runs and no boundaries in his quota of four overs.

Their victims included skipper KL Rahul (39), Marcus Stoinis (8) and the dangerous Nicholas Pooran (0).

Khalil Ahmed (2/41), who struck the opening blow, Ishant Sharma (1/36) and Mukesh Kumar (1/41) also picked up wickets to leave LSG on 94/7.

But then Baduni took it upon himself to revive LSG’s innings. He hit five fours and a six and combined with Arshad Khan (20 off 16 balls) for an unbeaten stand of 73 runs.

Electing to bat, Quinton de Kock (19) had a strong start with four fours but was dismissed before wicket by Khalil in the third over.

Devdutt Padikal’s (3) bad run continued as he became Khalil’s second victim of the day. The fast bowler panned the pedicle over middle and front leg for his fifth consecutive single-figure score.

Khalil had a chance to make it two out of two but the fast bowler dropped Stoinis for 0 off his own ball on the very next ball.

However, Rahul continued to collect boundaries at the other end, taking his team to 57/2 in the powerplay.

But Kuldeep’s introduction in the eighth over helped trigger a batting disaster, with the left-arm spinner first delivering a well-tossed delivery that Stoins threw at him only to get a crucial edge that went straight. Flies after Ishant.

He then bowled the in-form Puran, who looked unfazed by the ball ripping off the off-stump.

A batting disaster forced the hosts to send on Deepak Hooda (10) as an impact replacement but Kuldeep completely spoiled LSG’s batting, riding Rahul for his third wicket in eight balls. got

The Delhi bowlers strangled the LSG batsmen as the boundaries dried up.

Ishant and Mukesh, who also returned to the Delhi playing XI after recovering from injury, got into the act with Hooda and Krunal Pandya (3) respectively.

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