Rajasthan Royals promoted Ravichandran Ashwin to open the batting with the other opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The decision happened due to Jos Buttler reportedly injured his finger during the Punjab Kings’ innings in an IPL 2023 game in Guwahati. This isn’t the first time Ashwin has opened up batting for both sides in IPL like the spinner previously did for CSK in IPL 2013.

Buttler appeared to have injured his finger removing the fang that sent Shahrukh away. He had left the field immediately after making that catch in the last over. Buttler later retired in No.3, after Arshdeep Singh dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 11 in the second over. Shikhar Dhawan had scored a superb 86 to lead the Punjab

Dhawan finished unbeaten on 86 balls from 56, with nine fours and three sixes. He had previously given Punjab a great start with Prabhsimran Singh who was the attacker of the two. The pair scored 63 runs in the power play overs and added 90 runs for the first wicket. Alongside the captain, it forced Bhanuka Rajapaksa off the field after being hit by a ball. Yuzvendra Chahal sacked Jitesh Sharma for 27 (16) after he and the captain put together a 50-run stoppage. Ashwin then cleared Sikandar Raza for 1 with a nice delivery on his finish.

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