Rajasthan Royals started their IPL 2023 campaign with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the fourth match of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
Sanju Samson and Co won the game by 72 runs and opened their account with an impressive win. Meanwhile, the Royals are locking horns with Punjab Kings in the 8th match of the IPL.
The game is currently being held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Rajasthan Royals’ skipper, Sanju Samson won the toss and invited Shikhar Dhawan and Co to bat first.
The likes of Prabhsimran and Shikhar Dhawan added a superb 90-run partnership for the first wicket and set up a rock-solid foundation. Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 86 off 56 balls including nine boundaries and three sixes.
Prabhsimran chipped in with 60 off 34 balls including 7 fours and 3 sixes. In the end, Punjab Kings posted 197 for the loss of four wickets in their designated quota of 20 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin opens for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023
RR’s off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin hogged the limelight after he was sent out to bat as an opener against Punjab Kings, a decision that took the entire cricket fraternity by surprise.
In fact, the fans expected Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings. However, the RR team management decided to experiment with Ravi Ashwin by sending him to bat as an opener alongside Jaiswal.
However, the decision backfired in the first place as Ashwin departed for a duck as he fell prey to Arshdeep Singh’s bowling.
Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings’ playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
i didn't expect to see this tweet in 2023. https://t.co/AwMrYLv4kR
— ncolerfc92 (@nathancole09) April 5, 2023
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Thats Why they didn't win after 1st season sending 117 sr player
Advertisement— Johnmuffa (@ictblood) April 5, 2023
My reaction pic.twitter.com/oqtF8Hb6ra
— LEGEND👀 (@1nsane_1nsaan) April 5, 2023
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Could have experimented with Riyan Parag as opener today. Maybe he could have done something productive
Advertisement— Sajal (@SajalDubey20) April 5, 2023
He already opened one innings for CSK
— L E O✨ (@Psychotvts) April 5, 2023
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One of the worst decisions
Advertisement— Mahesh Panyam (@mahesh_panyam) April 5, 2023
Should have given chance to DDP or sanju should have opened 🤔
— NK👓 (@Tradewikis) April 5, 2023
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new invention failed
Advertisement— Jaikumar S (@Jaiharshan) April 5, 2023
