IPL 2023: Chennai decimate DC to seal a place in the top two
22 May 2023
In their final league game of IPL 2023, Chennai Super Kings secured a convincing 77-run victory against Delhi Capitals at Delhi, solidifying their place in the playoffs.
IPL 2023: KKR, LSG and MI pickup narrow wins in a thrilling week in the IPL
Toby Marshall
The Indian Premier League has once again shown why it is considered the best cricket league in the world after four consecutive thrillers over the week. It was KKR, LSG, MI and RR who came out on top in these games, picking up narrow wins.
In a recent match between KKR and Gujarat Titans, Rinku Singh delivered an incredible performance with the bat. With KKR needing 29 runs off the final over, the odds were against them.
However, Rinku smashed five sixes in a row off Yash Dayal’s bowling to score 48 runs in just 21 balls, turning the match on its head and securing a thrilling victory for KKR.
This was a remarkable feat, especially given that Rashid Khan had almost won the match for the Titans with the first hat trick of IPL 2023, dismissing Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Shardul Thakur back-to-back. Rinku’s heroics completely changed the course of the match, as the Titans appeared to be cruising towards victory.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were back home and hoping to continue their streak of dominant wins. In their previous match, they had chased down a target of 171 in just 17 overs while losing only two wickets. However, in the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, RCB set a massive score of 212/2 before almost clinching the victory.
Nicholas Pooran’s incredible knock of 62 runs off just 19 balls, supported by Ayush Badoni’s 84-run partnership, nearly led LSG to an unlikely win. With Pooran’s dismissal, LSG still needed 24 runs from 18 balls. Despite Badoni getting out hit-wicket and LSG needing seven runs off eight balls, Mark Wood and Jaydev Unadkat’s wild swings added more drama to the game.
Eventually, Harshal Patel attempted to run out Ravi Bishnoi at the non-striker’s end, but RCB withdrew the appeal instantly. Avesh Khan fumbled the ball and Dinesh Karthik failed to collect it cleanly, allowing LSG to win by one wicket.
In the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC), MI won by 6 wickets after successfully chasing a target of 172 runs. MI chose to bowl first after winning the toss, but DC got off to a good start with early boundaries from Prithvi Shaw and David Warner.
However, MI regained control after Hrithik Shokeen dismissed Shaw and took wickets in quick succession. Piyush Chawla also contributed with three important wickets. Despite half-centuries from Warner and Axar Patel, DC managed to set a fighting total of 172.
In response, MI’s opening pair of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma got their side off to a great start with a 71-run partnership. Although Mukesh Kumar brought DC back into the game with two wickets in the 16th over, skipper Rohit’s contribution of 65 runs kept MI in the game. Tim David and Cameron Green then finished the match to help MI secure their first win of the season.
The Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious by just three runs over the Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Wednesday, despite a valiant effort from CSK captain MS Dhoni in the final over. CSK had to chase down Rajasthan’s total of 175/8 in 20 overs and got off to a slow start after losing opener Ruturaj Gaikwad early for just 8 runs.
However, Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership for the second wicket before Ashwin dismissed Rahane for 31 and Shivam Dube in his next over. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni then took charge and added 59 runs in the final five overs, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win as CSK finished at 172/6.
In the first innings, Jadeja’s impressive performance helped restrict Rajasthan to 175/8 after inviting them to bat. He took two wickets and gave away only 21 runs in his quota before Shimron Hetmyer and Jos Buttler’s contributions helped Rajasthan recover from a tricky situation.
