The IPL Pulse
April 24
RCB maintain their streak in afternoon games
In what was a thrilling game of T20 cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore sealed a tense seven-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Match 32 of the 2023 Indian Premier League on Sunday (April 23). The victory was RCB’s fourth of the season and it continued a perfect 3/3 streak for the franchise in afternoon games this season. That all the wins came batting first is another confidence booster for a team that has historically not been known for defending scores. Explosive fifties from Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis set the base for a competitive total although Bangalore fluffed their plans big time in the slog overs. Still, a target of 190 was more than handy on a fractionally two-paced surface. Despite an imposing partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, RCB hung in there and managed to steadily choke the run flow. This in turn produced wickets and while the impressive Dhruv Jurel produced an enterprising cameo, RR ended up just short.
Scorecard | Report
RCB find their mojo in unusual fashion
There were times during their encounter against RR when RCB threatened to self-destruct, both with bat and ball. In fact, the final overs with the bat was extremely underwhelming and so were the first ten overs with the ball despite Mohammed Siraj’s early strike of Jos Buttler. Despite these mini setbacks, RCB turned the tables with a bowling performance that was quite unlike them, particularly in the middle overs.
Ruthless CSK annihilate KKR to top the table
Another run-fest ensued at the Eden Gardens as the Chennai Super Kings registered a clinical 49-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 33 of the 2023 Indian Premier League on Sunday (April 23). The usual suspects were at it again for the Men in Yellow as they batted first and batted big. For the third time in five games batting first this season, CSK breached the 200-run mark and ended with a monstrous score of 235. If Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad set the base with a cracking opening partnership, Chennai’s reincarnated duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube decimated the bowling in the middle overs to change the complexion of the game. For KKR to do the unthinkable, they needed a blistering start but that never came. CSK’s young seam attack exploited the new ball well and while there were brief heroics from Jason Roy and Rinku Singh, it was more about damage control than anything else.
Scorecard | Report
Hyderabad, Delhi face-off in a battle of desperation
It’s nearing the halfway mark of the season and neither Hyderabad nor Delhi have had any sort of rhythm to their respective campaigns. Not getting the desired results is one thing but what will disappoint both sides is the lack of clarity in their plans, particularly in the batting department. Neither side can afford anymore slip-ups but obviously, one of them will leave with their season in further strife. Match 34 of the 2023 Indian Premier League promises to be a compelling contest between two eager and desperate sides.
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