A Review of IPL Week 4

Thanks to a three-match winning streak in a span of eight days, the defending IPL champion Gujarat Titans have reclaimed first place in the current standings.

Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders were obstacles that Hardik Pandya’s team overcame to return to the top. Gujarat easily defeated KKR by seven wickets over the weekend thanks to a nearly flawless effort.

No team in Week 4 was able to match Gujarat’s form. Lucknow did manage to pull off a huge win, posting the second-highest IPL total of 257-5 in a victory over the Punjab Kings, which put them in second place after going 1-2 in their previous five games.

The Chennai Super Kings hit a snag and lost back-to-back games after an impressive run of three straight victories. Chennai lost to the Rajasthan Royals in a close game before losing to the Punjab Kings by four wickets over the weekend.

The Delhi Capitals, who were last in the standings, had managed back-to-back victories, but their weekend loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad knocked them off the top spot. Before Sunrisers’ triumph, both clubs had just four points for the season, making this a crucial battle at the bottom of the standings.

Big runs for Lucknow Super giants

Lucknow Super Giants

The Lucknow Super Giants scored a whopping 257 runs against the Punjab Kings in their innings, regaining their winning form. Despite captain KL Rahul being caught for 12 at the top of the order, their hitters were on target right away. Kyle Mayers and Marcus Stoinis, who both scored half-centuries, had significant contributions. The Punjab Kings were skittled out for 201 by LSG in defense of their score.

Catch made by Shaik Rasheed 

Shaik Rasheed, a replacement in the Chennai Super Kings’ fielding lineup, made a spectacular catch to get out Punjab Kings batsman Jitesh Sharma. In the 19th over, from the bowling of Tushar Deshpande, Sharma attempted to smash the young fast bowler and lofted one high to the boundary. Rasheed caught the ball at long-on, but his forward motion propelled him into the boundary rope as he slipped. Rasheed was so close to the rope when the catch was made that the TV umpire had to intervene, but miraculously it held.

What is Patel going through?

Recently, speculation arose regarding Axar Patel’s place in the Delhi Capitals batting order. He was only brought up to bat in the Capitals’ basement match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which ended in a nine-run loss. Patel was given a 198-run target but, despite being in good form and enjoying playing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, he was unexpectedly placed down the order rather than going in early to attack the visitors.

Considering Week 5 of the IPL

Gujarat Titans vs. Lucknow Super Giants on May 7 is unquestionably one of Week 5’s most thrilling matchups. Between two of the stronger teams vying for the top spot on the table, this matchup should be a hard-hitting, suspenseful classic.

Gujarat has a busy week ahead of them, with games against the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, the latter of which will probably be a tough test for the Titans. Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan has been hitting the ball beautifully.

More upcoming games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Chennai Super Kings will feature Lucknow’s potent batting lineup, which includes Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

The game between the struggling Sunrisers and the Kolkata Knight Riders is some exciting midweek action to watch, and the mid-table match between the Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians is also exciting.