Watch: Trent Boult claimed two wickets in his first over of IPL 2023 today (April 12), with an outswinging yorker and a special catch at slip from Jason Holder helping him record a double-wicket maiden.
Rajasthan Royals had put up 203-5, with a mammoth powerplay helping drive a big total. Still, with the pitch flat, they still needed a good start with the ball. That’s exactly what Boult provided.
He forced Abhishek Sharma to defend twice, and there was no keeping out the third. A pinpoint yorker homed in on leg stump before curling away at the last possible moment, ripping off-stump out instead.
Rahul Tripathi came in, and again couldn’t find a run. He aimed a big booming drive off his second ball, but only managed an outside edge, with Holder flying to his left at slip to cling onto a stunner.
A bizarre player review followed. Tripathi can only have thought there was a possibility of a bump ball, because the edge was so thick that it flew well wide of the keeper. But the ball had flown cleanly to Holder.
Boult had Sanju Samson to thank for closing out the scoreless over, delivering the final ball – the first faced by Harry Brook – down the leg-side. Samson flung himself to gather the ball and confirm the maiden, with no wide called.
Watch the two wickets in the Trent Boult maiden below:
Abhishek Sharma ☝️
Rahul Tripathi ☝️

A stunning first over of the innings from Trent Boult 🔥 #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/aapUHYwbph— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 2, 2023