Porel, Stubbs take DC to 208-4 against LSG in must-win game

Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs smashed commanding fifties as Delhi Capitals posted 208 for four against Lucknow Super Giants in a must-win IPL game here on Tuesday.

Invited to bat, DC's most dangerous batter Jake Fraser-McGurk fell to a trap at long-on but Porel (58 off 33 balls) and Shai Hope (38 off 27 balls) shared 92 runs off 49 balls to give the hosts an aggressive start. Rishabh Pant (33) provided solidity in the middle before Stubbs hammered three fours and four maximums in his unbeaten 25-ball 57 to take DC over the 200-mark.

For LSG, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (1/26) and left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan (0/29) were impressive, while Naveen-ul-Haq (2/51) picked up two wickets but was expensive. Porel smashed six boundaries and four sixes during his stay. He cut the third ball of his innings over third man off Mohsin before picking up three fours and a six off Arshad Khan.

Porel drove through the offside, cut and pulled anything short to race away to his second fifty of this IPL off 21 balls. Hope too stepped up with two fours and a six off Yudhvir Singh, who conceded 16 runs as DC crossed the 50-mark in a jiffy.

Naveen was welcomed with a six by Porel, who sent him to the second tier next with another pull to take DC to 73 for one in powerplay. Soon spinners were introduced from both ends as Hope smashed a flat six off Bishnoi (1/26) but the bowler broke the partnership after having the West Indian caught as KL Rahul held on to the catch in his second attempt. Back after serving a one match suspension, Pant brought up the team hundred with a four off Deepak Hooda but Naveen removed Porel at the other end. He was caught by Pooran at the boundary rope, leaving DC were 111 for 3 in 12th over.

Brief Scores

Delhi Capitals 208 for 4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Porel 58, Tristan Stubbs 57 not out, Shai Hope 38; Naveen-ul-haq 2/41) vs Lucknow Super Giants