While the players maintain that the World Cup is not on their minds but those like Rayudu or Pant, who are still not certainties, it becomes a bigger battle where they know that their IPL performances are being watched.
Jos Buttler scored 59 runs off 43 balls to take his team to flying start in 159 chase. Later Rahul Tripathi finished the game in style with a six.
KXIP's 'million dollar man' Curran picked up 4 for 11 in 2.2 overs including a hat-trick and was ably supported by Mohammed Shami as Delhi Capitals were shot out for 152 in 19.2 overs in pursuit of 167.
Both Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have been more than disappointing thus far in the IPL and need a win to revive their respective campaigns.
The South African also credited Dhoni for living up to his reputation of being one the best finishers in the world and a good tactician.
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer's efforts went in vain as MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kept a hold on their nerves managing to snatch a narrow 8-run victory from under Royals' hold.
Prayas, who studies commerce at the Kalyani Public School in Kolkata and was to appear for his Economics paper, on Sunday hit the headlines by becoming the youngest IPL debutant at 16 years and 157 days.
Jonny Bairstow and David Warner smashed sensational centuries to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to a comprehensive 118-run win over struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League match.
The term 'underperformed' would be an understatement for RCB as the way they started this year's campaign it looks like they will surely be the easiest side to beat for any opposition in the tournament.
SRH needed the quick start if they fancy their chances of eclipsing RR's imposing 198 for two and Warner and Bairstow just provided that to give the impetus for the rest of the batsmen to follow as the hosts chased down the target in 19 overs.
Asked if, as a cricketer, he is fine with slow wickets, Uthappa said the format is such that it's better if runs are scored freely.
The Kotla wicket has been low and slow this year and Morris agreed that it is one of the biggest differences at the venue this season.
Ashwin and Co. will now look to forget all these unsavoury happenings of the first two games and start afresh in their first match at the PCA Stadium on Saturday.
There is speculation in the BCCI that Ravi and Nandan may not be used in the playoff games of IPL but it's a very preliminary thought since overseas umpires like Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney are around.
IPL 2019, Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings: An all-round CSK beat DC by 7 wickets at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday.
Ashwin has defended himself stating that what he did was well within the rules of the game. But Royals Brand Ambassador Shane Warne and coach Paddy Upton have lashed out at the tweaker, questioning his integrity.
Slamming Ashwin further, Prasanna said even a schoolboy knows he has to warn the non-striker before doing such a thing.
With the matter snowballing, even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that the captain should have maintained decorum and that even the match officials failed in their duty.
In past, Kapil Dev was lambasted after carrying out the act against Peter Kirsten in an ODI at Port Elizabeth on December 3, 1992.
Ashwin received support from former Australian players Mitchell Johnson and Dean Jones, Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne and England ODI captain Eoin Morgan lashed out at the Indian spinner.
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