IPL Bulletin For April 20: From LSG’s Thrilling Win to RR’s Youngest Debutant, New Leaders Emerge & More

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The fifth week of Indian Premier League (IPL) season 18 - labelled the Revenge Week by the broadcasters, started off marking the half-way stage of the league campaign in a top of the table clash followed by yet another last-over thriller.

In a hot and draining evening in Ahmedabad, Delhi Capitals were handed their second defeat of the season as Gujarat Titans claimed pole position on the IPL 2025 points table before Rajasthan Royals surrendered a second successive match.

After snatching defeat from jaws of victory earlier in the week, history repeated itself for RR, who had the youngest player in IPL make an impressive debut as skipper Sanju Samson missed the clash against Lucknow Super Giants due to injury.

While Saturday's matches were the first-time meetings of the teams involved, Sunday (April 20) brings a double-header, featuring the reverse fixtures of RCB vs PBKS followed by CSK vs MI. Here is a look at the IPL Bulletin for April 20:

LSG pull off thrilling 2-run win over RR

A fantastic last over by Avesh Khan helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defy some serious hitting by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and stand-in skipper Riyan Parag as Rajasthan Royals (RR) fell short by two runs at their home venue of Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

Earlier, Aiden Markram (66 off 45 balls) and Ayush Badoni (50 off 34 balls) helped LSG set a target of 181 with fifties that contributed a much-needed 76-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Avesh Khan's impressive death bowling proves vital for LSG

Defending 25 off 18 balls, Avesh was introduced into the attack and the pacer stepped up ending the 62-run stand between Parag and Jaiswal as the latter was cleaned up for 74 in 52 balls. Avesh ended the over with the wicket of skipper Riyan for 39 in 26 balls.

The equation went down to nine runs in the final over after Prince Yadav's 19th over went for 11 runs, boosted by Shimron Hetmyer's two fours. However, Avesh managed to defend it, giving away just six runs and claimed the wicket of Hetmyer. Avesh finished his four-over spell with 3/37.

RR submit defeat from jaws of victory for second match in a row

After failing to chase down 9 in the final over against DC earlier in the week, RR repeated the lapse again with the same two batters at the crease - Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel, but this time there was no super over for a second shot at victory.

Although Jurel and Hetmyer were given the responsibility of getting the score in the final over, the onus was on a set Jaiswal and skipper Riyan Parag to finish the job early. However, the duo fell in the 18th over, leaving Hetmyer and Jurel facing the music again in the final over.

RR's Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest player in IPL history

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at 14 years and 23 days old, became the youngest ever to play in the Indian Premier League. The youngster announced his arrival with a six off the very first ball after coming on as an impact substitute for Rajasthan Royals to start their chase against LSG.

The teenage batter started his IPL journey by smoking Avesh Khan for a massive six over covers during his impactful knock of 34 in 20 balls, with two fours and three sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 170.00. He also had an 85-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal during a run-chase of 181.

Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals in top of table clash

Prasidh Krishna's spell of 4/41 ensured Delhi Capitals could not put on anything more than 203 on the board after the table-toppers were put into bat in the sweltering heat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In response, GT rode on Jos Buttler's unbeaten 97 off 54 balls to chase down the target with 4 balls and 7 wickets to spare. Buttler shared a crucial 119-run stand with impact sub Sherfane Rutherford (43 off 34 balls) before ice-cool Rahul Tewatia finished the match with an unbeaten 3-ball 11.

Buttler's selfless act revealed by Tewatia

Rahul Tewatia put in the finishing touches in the final over of GT's successful chase. His late blitz left Jos Buttler three runs short of a well-deserved century, but the Titans all-rounder, who is known for his finishing ability, said the former England white-ball captain had asked him not to worry about his milestone.

Abhishek Nayar rejoins KKR

Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar has returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching set-up following his reported removal from the Team India support staff by the BCCI.

Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and Strength and Conditioning coach Soham Desai have all been reportedly removed following India's poor performance in the BGT series and alleged dressing room leaks.

PBKS aim to do the double over RCB in the space of two days

After a dominant display in Bengaluru on Friday (April 18), Punjab Kings welcome Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their home - New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh as Shreyas Iyer's side look to do the double over Rajat Patidar's side, who aim to return to winning ways and get back into the top four.

Mumbai Indians seek revenge against rivals CSK

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah return as Mumbai Indians look to avenge reverse fixture loss against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in the second El Clasico of the IPL 2025 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

CSK set to turn to younger talents

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming believes the string of poor results has forced them to break away from preferring their experienced stars and entrust their faith in the young talent in the ongoing edition of IPL.

With Ayush Mahtre coming in as a replacement for injured skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis coming in for Gurjapneet Singh earlier this week, Fleming stated the five-time champions will play more players than they have in the past editions of the cash-rich league.