New Delhi, April 2 – After the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lost to the Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in their opening IPL 2026 match, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka rallied behind the team and captain Rishabh Pant, saying that the team's story this season is "far from over."
While LSG struggled with their batting, their pacers put up a strong fight against DC. The hosts, who were set a target of 142, ultimately won by six wickets thanks to Sameer Rizvi's unbeaten 70, starting their IPL 2026 campaign in style.
"This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team to respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Ekana, we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from over," Goenka shared on X after the match.
Asked to bat first, LSG struggled to build momentum from the start. In a much-discussed move, LSG captain Rishabh Pant opened the batting but had terrible luck, getting run out at the non-striker's end for 7 (9) on a straight drive. Contributions from Mitchell Marsh (35 off 28) and Abdul Samad (36 off 25) ensured the scoreboard kept moving despite challenging conditions, with both batters finding timely boundaries to steady the innings. However, wickets at regular intervals meant the innings concluded at 141 in 18.4 overs.
Defending the total, LSG needed early breakthroughs, and Mohd. Shami delivered an electrifying start on his franchise debut. Setting the Lucknow crowd on fire, Shami dismissed Delhi's newly acquired opener KL Rahul for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings.
The momentum continued as young pacer Prince Yadav delivered an impressive spell, dismissing Pathum Nissanka and Axar Patel in the fifth over to leave the opposition reeling at 26/4.
While the bowlers maintained discipline and energy, Delhi Capitals gradually regained control in the latter half of the chase, with Sameer Rizvi guiding them home with an unbeaten 70, sealing the game in 17.1 overs.