Much-needed joy for RCB, despair for GT’s Mohit Sharma

Unwanted record for Mohit SharmaVeteran Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma became the most expensive bowler in IPL history when he leaked 73 runs without dismissing a batter off four overs at an economy rate of 1820 against Delhi Capitals DC at the Kotla He displaced Sunrisers Hyderabadrsquos SRH Basil Thampi who had gone for 70 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore RCB in 2018 The rightarm medium pacer conceded 42 runs in his first three overs and was smashed for 31 in the final over which saw four sixes and a four from DC skipper Rishabh PantPowerplay show by SRHSRHrsquos Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma during their 131run stand v DC at Kotla PICAFPSRH have stunned one and all by smashing the highest IPL total twice this season and there was no stopping for the 2016 champions against DC at Kotla Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma gave SRH a solid start smashing 1250 in 6 oversmdasha record Powerplay score in a T20 match The first six overs saw 13 fours and 11 sixes The previous T20 Powerplay record was held by Nottinghamshire 1060 against Durham in 2017 at Trent Bridge while in the IPL the highest was by Kolkata Knight Riders KKR mdash 1050 versus RCB in 2017Dhoni yet to be dismissedCSKrsquos MS Dhoni hits a four against LSG at Chepauk on Tuesday PicAFPChennai Super Kingss CSK Mahendra Singh Dhoni is yet to be dismissed this season He has smashed 91 runs in six innings at an impressive strikerate of 26000 With speculation that this could be the 42yearolds last IPL the former CSK skipper is receiving the loudest of cheers as he walks in to bat at any venue and the wicketkeeperbatsman hasnt disappointed either Dhoni didnt come into bat in the first two matches as Indias World Cupwinning captain dropped himself to No 8 His first appearance as a batsman this season was witnessed against DC at Vizag Coming in at No 8 Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls including four fours and three sixes He however couldnt take CSK over the line but was massively lauded for his first competitive innings after almost 10 months The righthanded batsmanrsquos hattrick of sixes in the final over off Mumbai Indians MI skipper Hardik Pandya proved decisive as the defending champions went on to win the game by 20 runsStoinis stuns CSKMarcus Stoinis celebrates LSGrsquos win over CSK PICAFPLucknow Super Giantsrsquos LSG Marcus Stoinis on Tuesday created history by scoring an unbeaten 124 the highest individual score in an IPL run chase as the visitors reached the 211run target in the final over to hand CSK their first home defeat this season It was also the highest runchase in IPL at Chepauk Stoinisrsquos 63ball knock which was laced with 13 fours and six sixes surpassed Kings XI Punjabrsquos now Punjab Kings Paul Valthatyrsquos 120 not out against the then Dhoniled CSK to chase 189 Stoinisrsquos maiden IPL hundred is also the highest individual score against CSK in IPL The game also witnessed two centuries scored by players from both sides as batting first captain Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 108 not out off 60 balls to take CSK to 2104A win for RCB finallyRCB players celebrate their win over SRH PICAFPRCB beat batting powerhouse SRH by 35 runs to register their first win exactly after a month and only their second victory this season to end a sixmatch losing streak The victory keeps RCBrsquos playoff hopes alive despite being placed at the bottom of the points table with two wins and seven defeats The Faf du Plessisled side lost the IPL opener to CSK at Chepauk They then beat Punjab Kings in a lastover thriller at home for their first win this year Later they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders twice LSG Rajasthan Royals MI and SRH