Match Preview: Delhi Capitals vs. Lucknow Super Giants – 4th Match IPL 2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is off to an exciting start, and the 4th match pits Delhi Capitals (DC) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 24, 2025, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, this clash promises a thrilling spectacle as both teams kick off their campaigns with new leadership, revamped squads, and intriguing storylines.
The Stakes and Subplots Delhi Capitals vs Lukhnow Super Giants
This encounter is laced with drama, primarily due to the high-profile switch of captains between the two sides. Rishabh Pant, who led Delhi Capitals for several seasons, now dons the LSG jersey as their captain after a record-breaking ₹27 crore move in the mega auction. Facing his former team in his first outing for LSG adds an emotional edge to the contest. On the flip side, KL Rahul, who captained LSG since their inception in 2022, has crossed over to DC. While he won’t lead the side—Axar Patel takes the captaincy reins—Rahul’s role as a key batsman and wicketkeeper will be pivotal for DC.
Both teams are eager to start IPL 2025 on a winning note after missing the playoffs in the previous season. DC finished sixth in 2024, while LSG ended seventh, making this an opportunity to set the tone for a redemption arc.
Team Overview: Delhi Capitals vs Lukhnow Super Giants
Under Axar Patel’s leadership, DC boasts a formidable lineup. The batting order is stacked with experience and firepower, featuring KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and the explosive Jake Fraser-McGurk, who lit up IPL 2024 with a strike rate of 234.04. Tristan Stubbs and Abishek Porel add depth, while all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma provides flexibility. The bowling attack is DC’s trump card, led by Mitchell Starc’s pace and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin wizardry. T Natarajan and Mukesh Kumar bolster the Indian pace contingent, though their lack of recent international exposure could be a concern.
Probable XI DC: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact Player Options:Sameer Rizvi, Mohit Sharma.
Team Overview: Lucknow Super Giants
LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, will lean on their batting might to compensate for a depleted bowling unit. Pant, alongside Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Mitchell Marsh, forms a destructive middle order capable of turning games single-handedly. Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad add flair, while Shahbaz Ahmed offers all-round utility. However, injuries to key pacers Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep have weakened their bowling. Shardul Thakur, a late replacement for Mohsin Khan, joins Ravi Bishnoi and Shamar Joseph to shoulder the responsibility, but the lack of depth could prove costly.
Probable XI LSG : Yuvraj Chaudhary, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Shamar Joseph.
Impact Player Options: Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Prince Yadav.
Pitch and Conditions DC vs LSG Match 4 IPL 2025
The Visakhapatnam pitch is known for favoring batsmen, with an average first-innings IPL score hovering around 160-170, though recent seasons have seen totals soar past 200. Last year, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a mammoth 272 here against DC, highlighting the venue’s potential for big scores. The surface offers consistent bounce early on, but it tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play. Dew is likely to be a factor in the evening, potentially favoring the team chasing. With temperatures between 28-33°C and humidity at 70-80%, captains might prefer to bowl first if they win the toss.
Head-to-Head and Key Battles DC vs LSG Match 4 IPL 2025
In their brief IPL history, LSG lead DC 3-2 in five meetings. However, this match introduces fresh dynamics with the swapped captains. Key battles to watch include KL Rahul vs. Ravi Bishnoi—Rahul’s familiarity with Bishnoi’s spin could be tested—and Rishabh Pant vs. Mitchell Starc, pitting Pant’s aggressive strokeplay against Starc’s fiery pace. Kuldeep Yadav’s duel with LSG’s power-hitters like Pooran and Miller could also be decisive.
Prediction DC vs LSG IPL Match 4
Delhi Capitals enter as slight favorites, thanks to their balanced squad and LSG’s injury-hit bowling unit. DC’s bowling, with Starc and Kuldeep, gives them an edge in restricting LSG’s batting firepower. However, if Pant and Pooran fire, LSG could pull off an upset. Expect a high-scoring affair, with DC likely to edge out a close contest if they exploit LSG’s bowling vulnerabilities.
Final Word Delhi Capitals vs Lukhnow Super Giants Match 4 IPL 2025
With personal stakes, new leadership, and a batting-friendly track, the DC vs. LSG clash promises fireworks. Will Pant make a statement against his old team, or will Rahul and Axar steer DC to victory? Tune in on March 24 to find out!