IPL 2018: Hardik Pandya showers praises on KL Rahul

The Mumbai Indians (MI) were in dire need to win their last match against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as a defeat could have shown them the door of elimination. The Mumbai-based franchise stuttered throughout the match, however, ensured that they eventually cross the finishing line by a lean margin of three runs. The match turned out a nail-biter as every team had their share of opportunities to overpower each other.

The Kings XI rocked the hosts with some early wickets. However, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya’s partnership brought them back into the match. The duo notched the runs at a healthy rate which helped the home team to a formidable score of 186 on the board. Andrew Tye bowled brilliantly and picked up four crucial wickets and pushed Rohit Sharma’s men on the back-foot.

The run-chase started on an impressive note for Punjab as Chris Gayle and KL Rahul blazed away inside the field restrictions. Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed the Jamaican and drew first blood. Thereafter, Aaron Finch and Rahul carved a solid stand, which brought KXIP right back into the match. Rahul also racked up his sixth half-century during run-chases in this year’s IPL.

Hardik’s accolades for Rahul

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Aaron Finch and then KL Rahul and the wickets set the cat among the pigeons in the Punjab camp. Rahul scored 94 runs and took the visitors to the threshold of victory. Nevertheless, he couldn’t finish the match and also fell short of his hundred. With 17 runs required off the last over, Axar Patel and Manoj Tiwary found the boundaries twice, but couldn’t get them over the finishing line.

Following the match, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were involved in a heartfelt camaraderie which grabbed the limelight. Both exchanged each other’s jerseys and then embraced each other. Pandya also praised Rahul for the stupendous knock and hailed their friendship in a message on Twitter

Here’s Hardik’s post

Play hard, play fair! Respect comes first. ✊?

Super knock, by a super player and an even better friend @klrahul11 #MIvKXIP @mipaltan @lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/dNvF7BUqn0

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) May 17, 2018

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