In a dramatic turn of events, Rajasthan Royals (RR) pace bowler Tushar Deshpande has been out of the IPL 2025 Match 18 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) because of a minor issue. This development was confirmed by RR captain Sanju Samson at the pre-match toss. Deshpande, who had played all three of Rajasthan Royals' last matches, has been ruled out due to a tiny niggle, which has denied him a chance to play the crucial match.

Tushar Deshpande has been one of the key men for Rajasthan Royals thus far in the initial half of the IPL 2025 season. While he has had a few patchy performances, he had been giving crucial wickets to his side. During Royals' opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Deshpande claimed three wickets, including that of explosive power-batter Travis Head. But in the following games against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, Deshpande went wicketless and lost his economy rate, giving away a total of 96 runs from the nine overs he had bowled in the two games.

Deshpande's Non-availability: A Severe Blow to Rajasthan Royals

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With his previous experience, Deshpande was to be one of the mainstay bowlers for the Royals' bowling attack. His absence could leave the fast-bowling department with a void since the team does not have any other experienced bowlers. RR will now be required to bank on other bowlers like Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, and new recruit Yudhvir Singh to stand up and fill the void left by Deshpande.

With Tushar Deshpande ruled out of the PBKS match, Rajasthan royals have selected Yudhvir Singh in his place. Born in Jammu, Yudhvir is a pacer who played for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL previously but has not yet been able to make a big impact in the tournament. He will be desperate to impress in his RR debut and make a mark in the game that is a do-or-die clash for the Royals.

Yudhvir Singh to Make RR Debut

Yudhvir's coming in is good timing, Rajasthan needing to carry their run into the tournament. He will be expected to deliver, especially because of the lack of depth to RR's fast bowling attack in the wake of Deshpande's injury.

The injury to Deshpande could seriously impact Rajasthan Royals' bowling lineup. Without Deshpande, the onus will be upon other key bowlers, like Jofra Archer, to lead the charge of the pacers. With his massive experience and wicket-taking ability, Archer will also be relied upon to deliver those crucial breakthroughs for the Royals. Spinners like Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga will also need to chip in with the ball to compensate for the loss of Deshpande's pace.

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The loss of Tushar Deshpande is a setback for Rajasthan Royals, especially in a match as important as this one. Even though his loss gives another player, Yudhvir Singh, an opportunity to contribute, it raises the responsibility among the other remaining bowlers to come forward and give the necessary thrust to make the team remain competitive. The RR fans would be hoping against hope that the other team players stand up in Deshpande's place to help the team stay in the contest for the victory of IPL 2025.

In a high-octane clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing IPL 2024. With the new ball in hand, Deshpande unleashed a barrage of blistering pace and impeccable line and length, smashing SRH’s top order with a stunning three-wicket in his first 2 overs.

Tushar Deshpande’s Spectacular Performance

Tushar Deshpande’s performance in the match was nothing short of spectacular. The young bowler showcased his talent and skill, delivering a bowling masterclass that left the opposition struggling to find their footing.

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Dismissals of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Anmolpreet Singh

Deshpande made significant breakthroughs in a crucial moment by dismissing key SRH batters. His precision bowling led to the early departures of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Anmolpreet Singh, putting SRH on the back foot.

The Crucial Wicket

The turning point of the match came in the 4th over when Deshpande claimed the prized scalp of Abhishek Sharma. Deshpande induced Sharma into a mistimed shot with a well-executed delivery, resulting in a catch comfortably taken by deep backward point.

Deshpande’s clinical execution put him on the brink of a hat-trick, showcasing his ability to unsettle the opposition’s top order. Although he narrowly missed the hat-trick opportunity, his relentless pressure continued to mount on the SRH batters.

Setting the Stage: CSK vs. SRH Clash

The match between CSK and SRH was highly anticipated, with both teams aiming for a crucial win in the IPL 2024 tournament. CSK, known for its formidable batting lineup, posted an imposing score of 213, setting the stage for a riveting encounter against SRH. At the time of writing, SRH scored 102/5 in 13 overs.

The ongoing game between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) witnessed a remarkable beginning, courtesy of Tushar Deshpande’s stellar performance on Monday (April 8) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK’s Decision to Bowl First

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss set the stage for an intriguing encounter against KKR’s formidable opening duo, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine.

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Tushar Deshpande wasted no time in proving his captain’s decision right. Opening the bowling attack, Deshpande dismissed the dangerous Phil Salt for a duck with his very first delivery of the game. Salt attempted a big shot off a back-of-length delivery outside the off stump, only to find Ravindra Jadeja’s safe hands at backward point.

Entry into the Elite Club

Deshpande’s early breakthrough earned him a prestigious place in the annals of cricket history. He joined an elite list of CSK bowlers, becoming only the fourth player and the first since 2018 to claim a wicket on the first ball of a game for CSK. This feat places him alongside the likes of Lakshmipathy Balaji, Albie Morkel, and Deepak Chahar.

CSK Bowler to take wicket on the first ball in IPL:

• Lakshmipathy Balaji v DC, 2009
• Albie Morkel v DCH, 2009
• Deepak Chahar v SRH, 2018
• Tushar Deshpande v KKR, 2024

CSK’s Recent Performance

After starting the season with two victories, CSK encountered setbacks in their last two matches. With high hopes pinned on Deshpande’s impactful start, CSK aims to regain their winning momentum against KKR.

KKR’s Winning Streak

In contrast, KKR has enjoyed an unbeaten run in IPL 2024, securing victories in all three of their previous encounters. The team looks forward to extending their triumphant streak against CSK.

Match Update: CSK vs KKR

After losing the toss, KKR opened for batting but kept on losing the wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 8 April. They scored 137/9 in 20 overs and gave Ruturaj’s CSK 138 runs target to chase. For CSK, Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman took two wickets and Maheesh Theekshana clinched one.