This has been a very happening week in IPL 2023. Half of the matches in the league stage are already done, and the teams are entering the business end of the season. While some squads have made a good start winning most of their matches, other teams still have much catching up to do. Here, we shall look at how the games on April 25 and 26 went and will also try to predict the outcomes for the matches on April 27, 28, 29, and 30.
Gujarat Titans vs. Mumbai Indians
The defending champions completely outclassed the most successful team in the history of the IPL in their meeting in Ahmedabad on April 25. The Gujarat Titans posted a massive total of 207/6, riding on a fifty from Shubman Gill and superb knocks of 46 and 42 from David Miller and Abhinav Manohar, respectively. Rahul Tewatia also provided the late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 20 off just five deliveries.
Mumbai Indians, in response, could muster only 152/9 in their 20 overs. Their top scorer was youngster Nehal Wadhera who played an excellent 21-ball knock of 40. The Mumbai top-order got bamboozled by the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, who picked up five wickets. Abhinav Manohar was adjudged the Player of the Match for his superb 21-ball knock of 42 in the middle overs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Kolkata Knight Riders
RCB lost again in this rematch against KKR at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 26. Skipper Virat Kohli opted to field first after winning the toss, but the decision didn't turn out to be fruitful for him as the KKR batters took the RCB bowlers to the cleaners.
Jason Roy and N Jagadeesan put on an opening stand of 83 runs. However, the bulk of the scoring was done by Roy, who smashed 56 from just 29 deliveries. Skipper Nitish Rana was also impressed as he made 48 off just 21 balls. Rinku Singh and David Wiese provided the late fireworks remaining unbeaten on 18 and 12, respectively, as KKR reached 200/6 in their 20 overs.
RCB got off to a good start, piling on 31 runs in the first couple of overs. But the introduction of Suyash Sharma sent Faf du Plessis back to the dugout, and he returned to claim the wicket of Shahbaz Ahmed in the fifth over again. The nail in the coffin was struck when Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Glenn Maxwell in the last over of the powerplay. Kohli, however, looked in good form as he carried on. But he was dismissed soon after completing his fifty in the 13th over of the innings. RCB ultimately made their way to 179/8 in their 20 overs, losing the match by 21 runs.
Predictions
April 27: Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings
This is going to be another rematch of this season. The Royals defeated the Super Kings by a narrow margin of three runs in the reverse fixture in Chennai, and that's why CSK will be looking to settle scores in this game. MS Dhoni's men have also won three games on the trot since then, while the Royals have lost two out of two.
Although this is Rajasthan's home ground, and they do have the confidence from the previous game, CSK looks much better placed to win this game. The Super Kings have been in great form. Their batting is firing on all cylinders, and their bowling has shaped up well too. They are the favourites to win this contest.
April 28: Punjab Kings vs. Lucknow Super Giants
The Punjab Kings have a great chance to break into the top four of the IPL table. They have played the same number of games as Lucknow and have won as many matches as well. But they are separated by NRR right now. Moreover, the team performed well to beat the Mumbai Indians at their den in the last game. It was a commanding victory, and they will look to carry the momentum forward.
On the other hand, Lucknow lost a match they should have won against the Gujarat Titans. It must have put a serious dent in their confidence, and that's why they won't go into this away fixture with the best morale. Punjab is also a force to reckon with at home, giving them a massive edge in this contest.
April 29: Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Gujarat Titans
This will be a great game as the defending champions take on KKR, who won their last match commandingly. KKR will be back at Eden Gardens this time, eager to make their home crowd happy. While their batting has been firing on all cylinders this season, the bowling has left much to be desired at home.
The track at Eden doesn't aid the spinners, and thus, it renders them ineffective. The KKR batters will also have their task cut out against a lethal Titans bowling unit. Home advantage won't work much in their favour here as the Titans have a far Super team compared to them. That's why Gujarat will enter this contest as the favourites.
April 29: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
One more rematch! The Capitals and the Sunrisers locked horns a few days back, and the former emerged victorious in a tight contest. Delhi started the season with five consecutive losses, but they are turning it around, having won both of their last two matches. They also convincingly defeated KKR before beating KKR and will be eager to advance the momentum.
SRH, on the other hand, have encountered losses in all their last three games. While they have quite a strong team on paper, the results have yet to be there on the field. Moreover, they have lost their star all-rounder Washington Sundar to injury, which is a big blow. The nature of the track in Delhi won't suit their batting and bowling style either. That's why the Capitals are the clear favourites to win this battle.
April 30: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
CSK will enter this match as the clear favourites to win as this match is at Chepauk, their home ground, and Punjab Kings' batting unit has a fundamental weakness against spin bowling, which is CSK's strength as well.
MS Dhoni knows how to use the spinners to strangle the opposition, and their strength increases further when they are playing at Chepauk. Moreover, they have been in perfect form as a team. Although Punjab are a good team, the weakness of their batting unit doesn't hold them in good stead going into this contest.
April 30: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals
Mumbai Indians have a rich history in the IPL, but their current team isn't as strong as many other teams. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have assembled a world-class squad and have been in good form. They have a well-settled and formidable batting unit consisting of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer. Youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel also add the X-factor to their batting line-up. The bowling unit is also well-oiled with experienced veterans like Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
On the other hand, Mumbai have a good batting line-up with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tim David in it. Youngster Tilak Varma has made his presence felt as well. But the consistency of their bowling, which has some inexperienced players, has been hurting them badly. They are expected to have another tough time against an experienced Rajasthan batting line-up, and that's why Sanju Samson's men are the favourites to win this contest.