Mohsin Khan starred with the ball and KL Rahul made another half-century as Lucknow Super Giants moved up to second in the Indian Premier League with a six-run defeat of Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
Rahul blasted 77 off 51 balls and Deepak Hooda (52 from 34) also made a half-century as the Super Giants posted an imposing 195-3 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
The Capitals fell short on 189-7 in a run-fest, seamer Mohsin claiming outstanding figures of 4-16 from his four overs as Lucknow extended their winning run to three matches to sit two points behind leaders Gujarat Titans in a dream start for the two new franchises.
Axar Patel smashed a rapid unbeaten 42, while Rishabh Pant (44), Mitchell Marsh (37) and Rovman Powell (35) chipped in but sixth-placed Delhi slumped to a fifth defeat.
Captain Rahul and Hooda put on 95 for the second wicket after Quinton de Kock departed for 23.
Hooda was caught and bowled by Shardul Thakur soon after reaching his half-century, but Rahul continued to motor - hitting five sixes before he was dismissed by the same bowler in the penultimate over.
Thakur (3-40) was Delhi's only wicket-taker and their run chase got off to a nightmare start, with Prithvi Shaw and David Warner failing to made double figures.
Marsh and Pant put on 50 before Krishnappa Gowtham had the Australia all-rounder caught behind and the Capitals were 120-5 with seven over remaining after Mohsin cleaned up the India wicketkeeper-batter.
Lusty blows from Powell and Axar left Delhi needing 21 off the last over from Marcus Stoinis and although he was launched for two sixes, the all-rounder also bowled three dot balls to deny Pant's side.
Rahul leading by example
Captain Rahul has been outstanding for Lucknow, with only Jos Buttler (566) having scored more runs than his total of 451.
The India batter has registered two hundreds and as many half-centuries, averaging 56.38 from his 10 innings.
Mohsin the machine
Left-armer Mohsin claimed the huge scalps of Warner and Pant before returning to send the dangerous Powell packing and remove Thakur.
He bowled 15 dot balls and conceded just the one boundary in a match that was otherwise dominated by the batters.