IPL 2023: MI beat DC to send RCB into play-offs

On 21 May, RCB found an unlikely ally in the form of MI batsman Tim David. David’s belligerent innings helped MI beat DC, sending RCB into the playoffs. Two days earlier, Virat Kohli found form in RCB’s match versus GT to help keep his team in contention.

Titans are now due to play Royals in the first qualifier on Tuesday. A day later, RCB will clash with Super Giants in the eliminator.

Highlights of the Week Gone by

Tactical error by Rishabh Pant costs DC the match versus MI

Electing to field first after winning the toss, MI restricted DC to 159/7 on 21 May 2023 at the Wankhede. Even that score seemed unlikely enough after DC dug themselves into a hole, losing 4 wickets for only 50 runs by the ninth over of the innings. However, DC capitalised on an innings of 43 from 34 balls by Rovman Powell to reach a competitive score.

Bumrah was the pick of the MI bowlers, grabbing 3 for 25. When MI replied, they lost Rohit Sharma’s wicket in the 5^th over, with only 25 runs on the board. Ishan Kishan and Brevis helped stage a recovery. Yet MI found themselves on 95 for 3 in the 15^th over, with the asking rate mounting.

It was left to Tim David who scored 34 from 11 balls to ease MI to victory with 5 balls to spare. When David arrived at the crease, MI needed 66 from 33 balls. The batsman appeared to have edged the first ball he received from Shardul Thakur. Pant’s loud appeal was turned down.

The DC captain consulted the bowler and chose not to review, though the team had two reviews left. DC were left ruing Pant’s reluctance to review after replays showed a clear edge. As it transpired, MI won with 5 wickets to spare.

Kohli finds form to help beat Titans

RCB faced off against GT at the Wankhede on 19 May in a must-win encounter. Batting first, GT scored 168/5, thanks largely to skipper Hardik Pandya’s 62 from 47 balls. A regular fall of wickets reduced Titans to 62 for 3 in the 9^th over before Miller joined Pandya in a 61-run stand for the 4^th wicket.

The final score was made possible thanks to a flurry of runs in the last few overs. However, when RCB replied, it was soon obvious that GT were a few runs short of safety. Du Plessis and Kohli put on 115 for the first wicket before the RCB skipper lost his wicket in the 15^th over.

Kohli went on to score 73 in the company of Glenn Maxwell, helping his side to victory with 8 balls to spare. Barring Rashid Khan who took 2/32, no other GT bowler made an impression. The win kept RCB in the fray for a place in the play-offs.

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Raj

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Raj was born and raised in Nagpur, Rajesh moved to Pune to pursue a degree in the English Language at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Having a knack for writing from a very young age, he naturally excelled in his studies and decided to dip his toes in content editing, as well. Now, a full-time Editor, he enjoys spending his free time watching IPL and badminton matches and writing his first novel. His favourite sport is cricket and he believes cricket is life. But I’ve always dreamed of becoming a professional badminton player, so badminton is also at the top of my list. His biggest win is Saina Nehwal’s bronze at the 2016 Olympics landed him a brand new laptop after his bet on the winning margin came through. His biggest goal is meeting Saina Nehwal and telling her about his biggest win.