Watch: Axar Patel removes Aiden Markram early in IPL 2026 clash vs DC

The IPL 2026match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) kicked off with high energy at Ekana Cricket Stadium. The captain of Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel, won the toss and decided to bowl first. Although the crowd was energetic, the bowlers of Delhi Capitals came with a strategy to gain control over the game from the very beginning.

Lucknow got off to a decent start, but they were unable to sustain it for a long time. The first breakthrough came in a rather unusual way in the third over. Mukesh Kumar got a lucky moment when a powerful straight drive from Mitchell Marsh deflected off his hand and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, catching Rishabh Pant short of his crease for 7 runs off 9 balls.

The pressure continued to build as LSG lost another key wicket inside the Powerplay. Axar Patel took the game into the favor of Delhi Capitals with an intelligent bowling strategy to dismiss Aiden Markram for 11 runs on 8 balls. With the loss of two senior players at the beginning, the game was completely turned against LSG, putting the team in an difficult situation in the initial overs.

Axar Patel strikes early to give DC crucial breakthrough

Rishabh Pant’s dismissal was a big turning point and came in an unlucky fashion. In the 2.6 over, Mukesh Kumar bowled a good-length delivery at 140.3 kph on the stumps. Mitchell Marsh drove it straight back, but the ball brushed Mukesh’s right hand and crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Pant, who was backing up too far, was well out of his crease and had no chance to return. The TV umpire confirmed the contact, and Pant was given out, making it 19/1.

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After this breakthrough, DC tightened their grip on the game. The bowlers tried to keep the game tight by using variations to restrict scoring. Markram, who walked in next, found it difficult to settle as Delhi kept building pressure during the Powerplay overs.

Aiden Markram’s early dismissal puts pressure on batting side

Aiden Markram’s innings was short but aggressive, scoring 11 runs off 8 balls with one four and one six at a strike rate of 137.50. However, in the 5.5 over, Axar Patel delivered a brilliant ball at 94.3 kph. It was pitched on a length outside off and sharply came back in towards the stumps. Markram rocked back to cut against the angle but missed the inside edge completely. The ball crashed into the stumps, and Axar celebrated in style after the big wicket.

With Markram back in the pavilion, LSG’s middle order was exposed early. The team was unable to gain momentum with the smart bowling of Delhi Capitals. At 50/3 after 7 overs, Delhi Capitals were in complete command of the game, with Axar Patel's smart bowling.

As of writing, Lucknow Super Giants are 105/5 after 13 overs, with Mohsin Khan (14 off 10) and Abdul Samad (16 off 12) at the crease, while Delhi Capitals remain in control with Kuldeep Yadav delivering a tight spell of 1/22 in 2 overs.