Jaiswal has learned art of converting 50s into 100s from Kohli: Sehwag

The IPL 2023 Race to the Playoffs is becoming increasingly intriguing as teams make every effort to remain in contention. Punjab Kings host Rajasthan Royals at their second home ground in Dharamsala with the intention of maintaining their slim playoff chances in the Toughest T20.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS lost to Delhi Capitals in their prior match at the same venue, while RR suffered a morale-damaging 112-run loss at home against RCB. Even though it is their final league match of the season, both Punjab and Rajasthan will be looking to conclude their campaigns on a high note.

When he arrives at the batting-friendly pitch in Himachal Pradesh, the young and dynamic Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal will once more be the center of attention. The left-handed opener, who is third on the Orange Cap run-scoring chart, will attempt to surpass 600 runs for the season. 

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag praised the youthful Mumbai player for attempting to convert fifties into hundreds by emulating the legendary Virat Kohli. 

Sehwag stated on figure Sports' Cricket Live that Yashasvi Jaiswal is a rising figure. He learned from Virat Kohli how to convert 50s into 100s. Several batsmen throw their wickets after scoring 50 runs off 13 balls, but Yashasvi seeks to continue his innings. He has the temperament to perform in the big leagues."

Sam Curran, an all-rounder for the Punjab Kings and the most expensive player in the IPL in 2023, will also be participating in the competition. Fans have criticized the England all-rounder for failing to live up to his price tag, but former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif downplayed the 'price tag criticism' and attributed Punjab Kings' poor position in the points table to their lack of strategy.

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"It is incorrect to judge a player's performance by his price tag. Sam Curran was the most expensive acquisition due to his performances in international cricket. "The issue with Punjab, however, is that they are keeping a proven bowler like Kagiso Rabada in the dugout for the majority of the tournament," said Kaif.

Yuzvendra Chahal, the standout spinner for the Rajasthan Royals, will be aiming to top the Purple Cap leaderboard in this match. Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian cricketer, has praised the senior India wrist-spinner as a master of slow delivery.

"Chahal's specialty is bowling like an authentic spinner. He has a unique art form. He is the king of variety. He distinguishes himself from the other spinners by making effective use of the crease and being a maestro of slow bowling. Because he bowls very wide, it becomes more difficult to play him in the last five overs. Chahal is a courageous, champion bowler, according to Singh.

RCB kept their playoff aspirations alive with an eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. It was the first time in the annals of the Indian Premier League that both teams scored a century. 

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Heinrich Klaasen's lone IPL century propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a competitive 187/2 on a challenging Hyderabad surface. But pursuit master Virat Kohli, who tied Chris Gayle for the most centuries scored in IPL history, led RCB to victory.

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, described Kohli's innings against SRH as incomparable, given the magnitude of this match, while praising the modern master for playing one of his greatest knocks.

Speaking on Star Sports' Studio, Manjrekar stated, "Prior to this knock, Virat Kohli had scored five centuries in IPL, but this innings will be indelible. He made a difficult pitch appear ridiculously simple, and a knock like that requires a player of a different caliber."