Expresso IPL 2023 News Update at 1:30 pm on 9 May 2023

Let's begin with the latest update. Kolkata Knight Riders beat Punjab Kings by 5 wickets on May 8th, Monday in a last-ball thriller. Skipper Nitish Rana scored a half-century, while West Indian middle-order batters Andre Russell and Rinku Singh played some fine strokes at the back end. Chasing 180 for victory, KKR scored 182/5, with Russell playing a pivotal role in the game, hitting three sixes in Sam Curran’s 19th overs to bring his team closer to the target. Rinku then scored a four off the last ball of the innings to signal KKR’s victory. Earlier, KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy grabbed three wickets for 26 runs but Punjab Kings still managed a fighting 179/7 with skipper Shikhar Dhawan scoring a half-century.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Nitish Rana was happy that big power hitter Andre Russell had finally come to the party this IPL season, saying he kept “backing” the Jamaican knowing that a match-winning inning was around the corner. KKR defeated Punjab Kings by five wickets, chasing down the 180-run winning target off the last ball of the innings, with Russell scoring a 23-ball 43 studded with three fours and as many maximums. Rana said, at the post-match conference - " Ten matches have gone, we were all waiting for that one Russell innings to come. He was one inning away, I kept backing him saying you have done a lot, and you will 100 per cent win us a game."

Rajasthan Royals' Yuzvendra Chahal said that his team still has the chance to qualify for the playoffs, and as a unit, they must forget the four-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He told reporters after the match on Sunday, 7th May - "It will take time, but still, three matches are there, and if we win our remaining three games, we are still in the hunt for the playoffs. We will storm back together. The sooner we will forget this match the better it will be for us.” Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers for the Royals. He finished with 4/29 in four overs, including two wickets in the 18th over.

Moving on. Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis says he is satisfied with his own game as he has been able to switch gears effectively at an increased strike rate. Du Plessis, who is the current Orange Cap holder with 511 runs in 10 games, has scored his runs at a strike rate of 157.72 whereas his career IPL strike rate is a middling 133.58 in 126 games so far. In a chat with ‘RCB Bold Diaries’, Du Plessis said - "I have been quite intentional about trying to get hundreds and finding gears I can work through. But it is also important for me to try and play as much cricket as possible and stay on top of my game."

Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has impressed with his batting pyrotechnics in this IPL and their batting coach Wasim Jaffer feels he’s ready to make Team India debut. The 29-year-old Vidarbha ‘keeper-batter, who was signed up for just Rs 20 lakh in IPL 2022 auction, has grabbed the opportunity in the absence of an injured Jonny Bairstow this season with some eye-catching knocks. Jaffer told reporters - "Of course, last year too he had a decent performance. I think he has become even better, his batting has improved, and he’s already a good wicketkeeper. It feels nice to see him grow so well as a batter and as a finisher and whatever the team has demanded he has produced good results."

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has established himself as one of the most accomplished batsmen in modern cricket. His distinctive batting technique serves as an inspiration for budding cricketers worldwide. Recently, skipper MS Dhoni was heard giving tips to his players citing an example of Virat Kohli’s technique. The 41-year-old was heard saying - "Virat doesn’t play the first ball like this. It is always here.” Beyond his technical expertise, Kohli’s mental resilience and composure contribute significantly to his success. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians by six wickets on Saturday, 6th March. Chennai beat Mumbai at its home ground for the first time since 2010 and climbed second on the points table.

Shubman Gill, who notched up his second-highest individual score for Gujarat and put on 142 runs off 74 balls for the first wicket with Wriddhiman Saha, praised his opening partner after Titans defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs on Sunday, 7th May. Shubman said in a video posted by the Gujarat Titans - " He is such a phenomenal guy. Looking at the way he keeps, he bats, it’s just great to see someone putting in so much effort for the team, day in and day out. This was just the result of his hard work." Gill reached 50 off 29 balls. Saha hit 10 fours and four sixes. Together, they put on 100 off 50 balls.

Lastly, having bagged a defeat in each of their last games, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to acquire crucial two points in their second meeting of the season today at the Wankhede Stadium. The two had clashed to open their campaign in the 2023 IPL with RCB lending an eight-wicket thumping to MI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Since then, Bangalore has gone on to win just four of their next nine matches. Mumbai also has five wins off 10 games this season and lies sixth in the points table, owing to a weaker net run rate than RCB.

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