As the dust settles on the latest week of high-octane Indian Premier League action, who makes The Cricketer's team of the week?
With every team still able to qualify for the playoffs, it is well and truly crunch time in the IPL.
It was a week of desperately necessary success for Delhi Capitals, who have now won four of their last five, while Rajasthan Royals’ season seems to be spiraling out of control.
Who makes The Cricketer's team of the week?
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)
Twenty-one-year-old Jaiswal celebrated the IPL's 1,000th match in truly spectacular fashion, and not just because he launched Jofra Archer out of the Wankhede. His electrifying 62-ball 124, with 16 fours and eight sixes, is the top score by an uncapped Indian batter in IPL history, and a knock with the second-highest percentage (90.32) of runs in boundaries in all men's T20. Incredible.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The brightest contribution in a losing effort, Gurbaz smashed 81 off 39. Gurbaz was sensational in his discourteous takedown of Rashid Khan, who went for 50 or more for only the second time in his IPL career.
Phil Salt (Delhi Capitals)
Dragging his team off the bottom spot in the league table, Salt's 45-ball 87 proved too much for RCB. Salt had returned three ducks and only one score over 10 in his previous five T20 innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates his hundred for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023 [AFP via Getty Images]
Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings)
Despite his side coming out on the wrong side of their final-ball thriller versus Punjab Kings, a brazen 92 not out off 52 balls was the sparkling centrepiece of CSK's nearest of near-victories. Recipient of the player of the match award, Conway smashed 16 fours and a six on his way to his highest score of the competition so far.
Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
Fearless doesn't quite do it justice. Having seen his captain Rohit Sharma depart for a three-ball duck, Yadav entered the game as an Impact Player with 161 still needed. He hit 66 off just 31 deliveries.
Mitchell Marsh (Delhi Capitals)
A game-winning performance from Marsh saw the Australian return figures of 4 for 27 with the ball, followed by 63 off 39 with the bat. He kept the Capitals in the contest, most notably by orchestrating a 122-run stand with Phil Salt.
Liam Livingstone (Punjab Kings)
The Kings' batting lineup once again reached something of its full potential this week thanks to Livingstone's electrifying 42-ball 82 against Mumbai. A fundamental role in helping his team post 200 or more for the fourth time in a row - an IPL record - sees him make the cut.
Ishant Sharma celebrates a wicket for Delhi Capitals [AFP via Getty Images]
Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)
The better half of the Afghan spin twins, for this week at least, Khan gets the nod after enabling the Titans' nine-wicket drubbing of Rajasthan Royals. Figures of 3 for 14 were the cherry on top of a perfect Gujarat performance.
Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings)
The 20-year-old Sri Lankan's steel and determination were already proven after shouldering the responsibility of bowling the last over against Punjab Kings. His pedigree, however, has now been proven after his player of the match performance against Mumbai Indians. Seemingly both a middle and death-overs specialist, he returned figures of 3 for 15 in CSK's victory over the Indians, including the removal of dangerman Nehal Wadhera.
Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans)
Despite Gujarat looking nailed on to qualify for the playoffs, powerplay wickets remain as precious as ever. Shami took four against Delhi Capitals, reducing them to 23 for 5 inside six overs. His outstanding figures of 4 for 11 didn't prove enough to overcome Delhi, but he is well placed to be the difference-maker as the Titans prepare for their run in the playoffs.
Ishant Sharma (Delhi Capitals)
If Delhi do end up qualifying for the playoffs, they will have Sharma to thank. A revelation for a previously impotent attack, Sharma was instrumental as his side stunned league-leading Gujarat. Sharma may have only had figures of 2 for 23, but the Indian veteran's experience won out in the end - a nerveless final over conceded just six runs to seal a must-win Capitals victory.
Honourable mentions: Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Jitesh Sharma, Moeen Ali, Abhishek Sharma
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