ViewA couple of matches ago, Prabhsimran Singh had smashed a terrific century on a tacky surface in Delhi against Delhi Capitals. So it was imperative for Rajasthan Royals to dismiss him early when they faced Punjab Kings on a flat surface in Dharamsala in a must-win encounter- their last league game.
Cue Trent Boult. The left-arm swing king, who was returning to the XI after missing the previous match due to a niggle, struck early – as early as on the second ball of the match – to put Royals right in command up front in this crucial match.
Trent Boult is arguably the best, most potent new-ball limited-overs bowler of his era. Certaintly in the IPL 2023.
In the IPL 2023, Boult has taken 10 wickets in 10 matches in the powerplay – the second-most in this phase after Shami’s 15 while playing 3 fewer matches than Shami.
Prabhsimran wicket is the latest in this tally.
Trent Boult pitched it on length and swinging slightly into Singh. The right-hander tried to play it straight but closed his bat face a little. The result was a leading edge from the upper half of the bat. The ball lobbed toward the right of the bowler who made a big leap and got both his hands on the ball to grab it. Despite falling with a thud on the ground, Boult didn’t release the ball and completed a sensational return catch to send Singh packing.
Watch: Trent Boult takes a blinder of a return catch to dismiss Prabhsimran Singh
Water is wet. Sky is blue. In the opening over, Boult breaks through😏#PBKSvRR #IPLonJioCinema #TATAIPL #IPL2023 #EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/N8UWCZoWf0
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 19, 2023
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have posted a formidable total of 187/5 in this must-win encounter for both teams. PBKS were in big trouble at 50/4 having lost Liam Livingstone. But Jitesh Sharma (44 off 28), Sam Curran (49* off 31), and Shahrukh Khan (41* off 23) pulled them back in the game to take them to a total of over 180.
Teams:
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Adam Zampa, Trent Boult, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
