IPL 2023: Kyle Mayers Sizzles, Mark Wood Rattles Delhi Capitals As Lucknow Super Giants Romp Home By 50 Runs

Mark Wood scarred the Delhi Capitals top-order with scorching pace as his five-wicket haul beautifully complemented debutant Kyle Mayers' superb 73 in Lucknow Super Giants' comfortable 50 run win in their IPL opener, in Lucknow on Saturday. Mayers, who got a chance to showcase his exploits because of Quinton de Kock's absence, hit seven sixes in his 38-ball knock which was largely responsible for solid 193/6 in 20 overs. In reply, Delhi Capitals managed only 143 for 9 with David Warner (56 off 48 balls) fight hardly being any sort of consolation.

Wood (5/14 in 4 overs) bowled back-to-back lethal in-cutters at 147 clicks which Prithvi Shaw (12) and Mitchell Marsh (0) failed to even bring their respective bats down before the ball hit the 'wood' work.

In case of Sarfaraz Khan (4), his weakness against pacey short-pitched stuff is well documented and Wood directed one at his body, which could have blown his head off and he tried a non-existent ramp shot getting himself into a tangle and the easiest of catches was taken at fine-leg boundary.

From 41 for no loss to 48 for 3, it happened in a space of couple of overs DC weren't able to make a comeback after Wood had destroyed their confidence with raw pace.

Skipper Warner and Rilee Rossouw (30 off 20 balls) did add 40 runs before a freak dismissal off Ravi Bishnoi's (2/31 in 4 overs) delivery brought about his downfall.

Bishnoi and 'Impact Substitute' Krishnappa Gowtham (0/19 in 4 overs) bowled admirably well in dew-laden conditions and the later in fact showed his multi-skill worth with a last ball six during LSG's batting innings.

DC, on the day, didn't look the part as the momentum slipped out of their grasp, way too many times. The 16 sixes conceded by DC bowlers was a