As the race to the playoffs in IPL 2023 intensifies, teams are leaving no stone unturned to keep their hopes alive. In a bid to maintain their outside chances of making it to the playoffs in the 'Toughest T20', Punjab Kings will host Rajasthan Royals at their second home ground in Dharamsala.
Both teams enter this crucial match on the back of defeats in their previous encounters. Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings suffered a loss against Delhi Capitals at the same venue, while Rajasthan Royals faced a demoralizing 112-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore on their home turf.
With this being their last league game of the competition, both Punjab and Rajasthan will be eager to bounce back and end their campaign on a positive note, even if it marks the end of their season.
All eyes will once again be on young and dynamic Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal as he takes the field on the batting-friendly track in Himachal Pradesh. Currently sitting at the third spot in the Orange Cap leaderboard, the left-handed opener will be eyeing to breach the 600-run mark for the season.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag lauded Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlighting his ability to convert fifties into hundreds, a skill he has learned from star cricketer Virat Kohli. Sehwag remarked, "Yashasvi Jaiswal is a future star. He has learned the art of converting 50s into 100s from Virat Kohli. Many batters tend to throw away their wickets after reaching a quick fifty, but Yashasvi looks to build on it. He possesses the temperament to play big knocks."
Another young talent to watch out for in this match is Punjab Kings' all-rounder Sam Curran, who happens to be the most expensive player of IPL 2023. Despite facing criticism from fans for not living up to his price tag, former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif downplayed the scrutiny, attributing Punjab Kings' struggles in the points table to poor strategy rather than individual performances.
Assuming a crucial role for Rajasthan Royals will be star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who aims to claim the top spot on the Purple Cap leaderboard in this game. Praising the senior India wrist-spinner, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh described Chahal as a master of slow bowling, highlighting his ability to use the crease effectively and deliver wide balls that trouble batsmen, particularly in the last five overs of an innings.
In other IPL action, Royal Challengers Bangalore kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match witnessed a historic moment as it marked the first instance in IPL history where a century was scored by a player from each side.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's Heinrich Klaasen played a remarkable innings, scoring his maiden IPL century (104) and propelling his team to a competitive total of 187/2 on a challenging Hyderabad surface. However, chase master Virat Kohli stole the show with a masterclass knock, equalling Chris Gayle's record for the most centuries in IPL history, as he guided Royal Challengers Bangalore to a comfortable victory.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised Kohli for his exceptional performance, describing his innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad as unforgettable due to the magnitude of the game. Manjrekar emphasized that Kohli's ability to make a tough pitch look easy demonstrates the caliber of a player who possesses extraordinary skills.