WATCH: Lungi Ngidi’s slower off-cutter deceives Nicholas Pooran, leaves his stumps rattled

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New Delhi: Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Lungi Ngidi produced an excellent delivery to clean up Nicholas Pooran in his side’s clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow in the Indian Premeir League (IPL) 2026 on Wednesday. LSG and DC became the last two teams to lock horns in their opening matches of the season.

After winning the toss and inviting LSG to bat first, DC got off to a brilliant start, reducing the hosts to 49/3 in the first seven overs. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant, who opened the innings with Mitchell Marsh, was run out in an unfortunate manner on the non-striker’s end before the hosts lost Aiden Markram (11) and Ayush Badoni (0) in quick succession.

Markram was cleaned up by Axar Patel while Badoni edged an outside off delivery from pacer T Natarajan to get caught by DC wicket-keeper KL Rahul. Ngidi then piled more misery on LSG by removing Pooran, who was looking in good touch. Ngidi deceived Pooran with pace and bowled a perfect slower off-cutter to leave his stumps rattled.

It was a slow dipper from the South African pacer which took Pooran by surprise. The LSG batter tried to flick the ball on the off side, but his bat got stuck in his pads, and he was late on the shot. Pooran eventually lost his balance trying to get a hold of the delivery and saw his stumps getting clattered.

Watch Lungi Ngidi decieves Nicholas Pooran with an off-pace beauty:

It was an off-pace beauty from Ngidi, who used his slower ones extensively during the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Ngidi was the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026, picking up 12 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 15.58, including a four-wicket haul. He continued his fine form with the ball for DC in IPL 2026 on Wednesday.

LSG suffer batting collapse against DC

Lucknow Super Giants suffered a poor batting collapse against Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 opener after the likes of skipper Pant, Markram, Pooran and Badoni failed to get going. While Pant fell after an unfortunate run-out, Pooran was completely deceived by Ngidi’s stunner.

Markram too was dismissed cheaply on 11 off 8 balls, while Badoni fell on a duck as LSG lost half their side for just 71 runs inside the first ten overs. Barring Marsh, who scored 35 off 28 balls, none of the batters in the top 5 managed more than 15 runs for LSG in the game.