mohammed shami produced a searing delivery to remove KL Rahul with the first ball of Delhi Capitals’ chase in IPL 2026 Match 5, sparking an immediate power-play collapse. Delhi were chasing Lucknow Super Giants’ total of 141 runs when the early damage struck. The breakthrough left Delhi reeling as wickets tumbled in quick succession in the opening overs.
Mohammed Shami’s opening strike: KL Rahul’s golden duck
The ball that changed the game was described in match coverage as a floaty away outswinger that found the edge as KL Rahul went for a drive; Mohsin Khan completed the catch at third man. The dismissal was the first ball of the chase and a textbook dream start for the bowling side. Mohammed Shami, newly with Lucknow Super Giants after a trade, provided that blow early as he made his first impact for his new team in the match.
Power-play collapse and key dismissals
Delhi Capitals lost early wickets through the power play as Nitish Rana and Pathum Nissanka followed Rahul back to the pavilion. Nitish Rana was caught in the slips and was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls. Axar Patel, sent in at number five, was out for a golden duck after being clean bowled on the first ball he faced. Prince Yadav produced a vital burst with the ball, taking two wickets in a single over and shifting momentum firmly towards Lucknow.
LSG innings, bowling returns and match state
Lucknow Super Giants posted a competitive total after batting first. Mitchell Marsh scored 35 off 28 deliveries, including boundaries and maximums, while Abdul Samad contributed a fighting 36 off 25. Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 7 runs after a run out early in his innings; Ayush Badoni was dismissed for a three-ball duck and Nicholas Pooran managed 8. On the bowling front for Delhi, Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan each returned figures that included multiple wickets and Kuldeep Yadav took two for 31 in his four overs.
Quick context and player milestones
mohammed shami was traded to Lucknow Super Giants and made an immediate on-field impact in his first match for the side. KL Rahul recorded his 11th duck in T20 cricket in the dismissal; statistical coverage notes that Rahul now has 11 ducks in the 20-over format from 227 innings (240 matches), alongside a career tally of runs and fifties compiled over his T20 career.
What happens next
With the chase unsettled by early dismissals, Delhi Capitals must rebuild their innings around the middle order to chase down the total. Lucknow Super Giants will look to press their advantage and rely on the bowlers who produced early breakthroughs. The match remains live and the next phases will determine whether Lucknow’s early success with the ball converts into a win or if Delhi can recover from the power-play collapse.
