Match 40 of the IPL 2025 pits the Lucknow Super Giants against the Delhi Capitals on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. The toss was won by Axar Patel, captain of the Delhi Capitals, who elected to bowl first. The clash unfolds at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a venue that has become a litmus test for red‑soil pitches this season.
Pitch and Weather Preview
Ekana’s surface is classified as “red‑soil” for this fixture, meaning bounce is usually true but turn can be limited. According to a March 21 report by Firstpost, the pitch is “a very good cricket wicket – bowl well and things go well; bat well and you’ll see shots all around.” On paper that translates to 170‑190 runs being a defendable total when teams bat first. Cloudy skies are expected, with CricTracker’s March 24 forecast calling for overcast conditions that could aid swing early on.
Historical data reinforces the math. In the last five games on the red‑soil strip, three teams posted scores above 180 and all four defending sides won. The only time a side fell short was when the opposition chased down 171 in 16.2 overs – a reminder that a solid opening partnership can tilt the balance.
Form and Injury Updates
Delhi Capitals stride into Lucknow on the back of a nail‑biting two‑run win over Rajasthan Royals. Their batting line‑up has contributed 320 runs in the last two games, with KL Rahul averaging 54. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants entered the tournament with a fireworks start – four wins in a row – but have slipped, losing two of their last three. The most glaring handicap is the pacer shortage. Business Standard notes that Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, and Mohsin Khan are out, while Mayank Yadav is still on the mend.
“We’ve got a lot of work for the spin department,” LSG’s coach admitted in a pre‑match briefing. Ravi Bishnoi, the leg‑spinner, is expected to shoulder the power‑play overs, supported by Shahbaz Ahmed and the part‑time off‑spinner Aiden Markram. On the batting side, Rishabh Pant, captain and wicket‑keeper, has amassed 106 runs in eight innings, with his lone fifty coming at this very ground.
Projected Line‑ups and Key Battles
Delhi’s XI, as per Firstpost’s March 21 breakdown, is likely to feature: KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, and the versatile Mitchell Marsh among others. Their pace spearhead Starc will be crucial in exploiting the evening humidity.
Lucknow’s probable eleven reads: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, and Ravi Bishnoi. The real wildcard is whether Mayank Yadav can debut, giving LSG a much‑needed fifth seamer. If he does, the contest will centre on how effectively Starc’s early swing counters Bishnoi’s spin in the middle overs.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the head‑to‑head numbers:
- Last meeting (Visakhapatnam, Apr 2025): DC won by 1 wicket.
- Average first‑innings score at Ekana (2023‑24): 176/7.
- LSG’s top run‑scorer this season: Mitchell Marsh, 319 runs.
- DC’s leading wicket‑taker: Kuldeep Yadav, 15 wickets.
Betting Odds and Expert Opinions
The Top Bookies’ March 24 odds list Delhi Capitals as slight favourites, 1.75 versus Lucknow’s 2.20. Their rationale? “Lucknow’s pace attack is depleted; Delhi’s seamers, especially Starc, have the tools to capitalize on the swing‑friendly conditions.” Former Indian Test bowler Zaheer Khan, who watched the previous LSG‑PBKS game at Ekana, said, “On a red‑soil pitch you can still get something around 190 if you back the batters, but you need a disciplined bowling unit.”
Meanwhile, cricket analyst Amitabh Mukherjee points out that “the spin factor is undervalued. Bishnoi’s leg‑break can be a game‑changer on a dry surface, especially after the first 10 overs when the ball settles.” If LSG manages a 180‑plus total, the odds swing dramatically in their favour.
What the Result Means for the Playoff Race
Both sides are staring at the top‑four. A win for Delhi would cement them in the third spot, leaving only a narrow gap to the second‑placed Rajasthan Royals. For Lucknow, a victory is almost mandatory to keep the playoff hopes alive; a loss could see them slip to fifth, forcing them into a must‑win scenario in the final league game.
Should the match tilt in Delhi’s favour, the Eliminator on May 21 in Hyderabad would likely feature Rajasthan and Lucknow, while the Qualifier 1 showdown on May 20 could pit Delhi against Mumbai Indians. Conversely, an upset by Lucknow would shuffle the bracket, potentially giving the Super Giants a direct path to Qualifier 2.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Date & Time: Monday, 24 Mar 2025, 7:30 PM IST.
- Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
- Pitch: Red‑soil, favouring seam early, moderate bounce later.
- Toss: Won by Axar Patel, choose to bowl.
- Key injury concerns: Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Mohsin Khan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the depleted Lucknow pace attack affect their chances?
With Avesh Khan, Akash Deep and Mohsin Khan sidelined, Lucknow rely heavily on spin and the untested Mayank Yadav. This limits their ability to exploit early swing, making it tougher to defend a total against a strong Delhi seam unit.
What score range is considered competitive at Ekana Stadium?
Historically, teams posting between 170 and 190 runs in the first innings have a solid chance of winning on the red‑soil surface, provided their bowlers can keep the opposition under 170 in the chase.
Which players could be game‑changers in this match?
For Delhi, Mitchell Starc’s late‑evening swing and KL Rahul’s consistency are pivotal. For Lucknow, Ravi Bishnoi’s leg‑spin and Mitchell Marsh’s power hitting could swing momentum, especially if Mayank Yadav makes an impact.
What does a win mean for each side’s playoff outlook?
A Delhi win secures a top‑three finish and eases pressure in the final league round. Lucknow, however, would need a win to stay within the top four; a loss could push them to a must‑win scenario in their last two games.
When and where are the IPL 2025 playoffs scheduled?
Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are set for 20 May and 21 May 2025 in Hyderabad, while Qualifier 2 and the final will be played on 23 May and 25 May 2025 in Kolkata.
