Sameer Rizvi played a key role for Delhi Capitals, coming in as an ‘Impact Substitute’ and helping his team to a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL opener on Wednesday.

Chasing 142, Delhi Capitals lost early wickets and were 26 for 4 in the first five overs. Rizvi, replacing T. Natarajan, scored 70 not out off 47 balls.

He shared an unbroken 119-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs (39 not out off 32 balls) to take Delhi Capitals to victory in 17.1 overs.

Rizvi handled spells from Mohammed Shami (1/28 in 4 overs), Mohsin Khan (1/19 in 4 overs), and Prince Yadav (2/20 in 3 overs). He hit five fours and four sixes.

A key over from Shahbaz Ahmed in the 10th saw Rizvi score 16 runs, bringing momentum fully in Delhi’s favour. LSG’s innings started with early breakthroughs. Shami dismissed KL Rahul for a first-ball duck.

Mohsin Khan had Nitish Rana caught at slip. Pathum Nissanka was caught by Rishabh Pant off Prince Yadav, while DC captain Axar Patel was bowled by Prince Yadav. Earlier, LSG were bowled out for 141 in 18.4 overs.

T. Natarajan (3/29), Kuldeep Yadav (2/31), and Lungi Ngidi (3/27) troubled the batters. Kuldeep dismissed Mitchell Marsh with a googly, while Ngidi bowled a notable delivery.

Pant promoted himself to open, scoring 7 off 9 balls before being run out at the non-striker’s end. Aiden Markram scored 11 before falling to Axar Patel.

Ayush Badoni scored 0. Nicholas Pooran was dismissed by Ngidi’s slower off-cutter, and Shahbaz Ahmed fell to a slower yorker.

Delhi Capitals recovered from early setbacks to take full points, while Lucknow Super Giants struggled with both execution and tactics.