Twitter Reactions: Ben Stokes century helps RPS achieve a thrilling run chase

In what was a firecracker contest between the sides playing their last IPL, Rising Pune Supergiant managed to achieve their first ever victory against Gujarat Lions. With this win, RPS have placed themselves in a stronger position to qualify for the playoffs.

Earlier in the day, it was RPS captain Steve Smith who won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ben Stokes and Shardul Thakur were back in the side. For Gujarat Lions, Dwayne Smith came in place of the injured Andrew Tye while Pradeep Sangwan replaced Irfan Pathan in the playing XI. Gujarat were off to a splendid start as openers Ishan Kishan and Brendon McCullum put up 55 runs in the powerplay overs.

While Ishan Kishan scored 31 (24), McCullum also batted really well for his 45 (27). However, dismissal of both openers triggered a collapse. The likes of Suresh Raina and Aaron Finch failed to get going. Dwayne Smith who came in for this game was out for a golden duck. Some sensible batting by Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja helped Gujarat put a competitive total as their lower order faltered in the end of the innings.

Imran Tahir again shined with impressive bowling figures of 3/27. On the other hand, Jaydev Unadkat also stepped up with 3/29 as he cleared the tail. Shardul and Daniel Christian also managed to get a wicket each.

Rising Pune Supergiant had a poor start. Both, opener Ajinkya Rahane and captain Steve Smith were back to the dugout in the very first over. Manoj Tiwary also followed them as RPS were left reeling at 10/3. It seemed that Pune had completely lost the plot and a comeback seemed unlikely.

But that’s where T20s have been so unpredictable. Ben Stokes probably went on to play the best knock of the tournament so far as he scored 103 runs from just 63 balls to get RPS through off the penultimate delivery. MS Dhoni and later Daniel Christian complemented him well from the other end.

His magnificent knock also earned him the Man of the match as RPS won the game by 5 wickets. Both Basil Thampi and Pradeep Sangwan got a couple of wickets each. The rest of the bowlers were taken apart by Stokes.

Here are some of the amazing Twitter reactions that appeared during the course of the game:

Ben strokes ! A serious knock @benstokes38 too much talent this guy possesses! Beautiful to watch as a left hander ??

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 1, 2017

See, THAT is why you send England players to the IPL. Sell out crowd, massive pressure to perform. Awesome from Stokes

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) May 1, 2017

Mad, mad respect.
To Andrew Flintoff 2.0.
Aka Ben Stokes.
Koregaon Park is all yours.#RPSvGL

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) May 1, 2017

What a Century from Ben Stokes he came to crease when RPS was struggling at 10/3 and scored century in 61 balls..

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 1, 2017

BEN STOKES is striking it so well, I'm already scared of what England would do to other teams in the #CT17

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) May 1, 2017

This is a great innings by @benstokes38 can he get them home

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 1, 2017

Hey Ben Stokes that's Dwayne Smith. Not Carlos Brathwaite. #RPSvGL #IPL2017 @SonySIX

— TheGoanPatiala (@TheGoanPatiala) May 1, 2017

Not the first time Suresh Raina has shown such faith in Dwayne Smith. Well……

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2017

Is Brendon McCullum the oldest player who patrols the mid off / mid on boundary in cricket?

— Aayush (@slicesofIife) May 1, 2017

Stokes is overrated blah, blah, blah. Two MoMs and two fifties now. Impact player.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 1, 2017

Jadeja being hammered, good thing Dhoni's there, he should ask him what to do #RPSvGL

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) May 1, 2017

Jaddu vs Dhoni!
Starts with classic cover drive! 4⃣! #RangWahiJungNayi #RPSvGL

— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 1, 2017

#benstokes playing a beautiful knock…need to go till the end. #GLvsRPS

— Maneesh Gupta (@maneeshgupta88) May 1, 2017

Tye had filled some faith in Gujarat bowling line up #GLvsRPS #IPL2017

— Kondaveeti saiteja (@Kondaveetisaite) May 1, 2017

Thampi you have very bright future lad just keep yourself away from injuries.

— Athar ? (@cricdrugs) May 1, 2017

Till now in this IPL Rahane is an asset for opposition. #ipl

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 1, 2017

Not happening for Rahane and Smith and Pune in big trouble already. This is now a match for Gujarat to lose

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

Steve Smith got out like an Indian batsman
Drawbacks of spending too much time in India?

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 1, 2017

Why is Rahane still in the team? Gets so many chances yet performs miserably. Doesn't even bowl ffs. ?#RPSvsGL #IPL

— Nicket (@Nicket_S) May 1, 2017

When two besties are at loggerheads,@ImRaina and @msdhoni, gonna be an interesting match,#RPSvsGL

— Debanisha (@debanisha_riya) May 1, 2017

Unadkat became a Better Bowler after leaving RCB ??

— Bittuuu ! (@tharungstars) May 1, 2017

Tahir who wasn't even picked up during the auction, is now the 2nd highest wicket-taker! Such is life! #IPL #RPSvGL

— HoldingWilley ? (@holdingwilley) May 1, 2017

It's Steve Smith's oppositions who are having a brainfade today. #IPL

— Manya ? (@CSKian716) May 1, 2017

For Dwayne Smith it'll be easier to read Vishnusahasranam than a spinner.#RPSvGL #IPL2017

— TheGoanPatiala (@TheGoanPatiala) May 1, 2017

Tahir won't need a plane when the tournament ends. Just give him a wicket after the tournament and watch him ✈️✈️ #IPL

— Manya ? (@CSKian716) May 1, 2017

Imran Tahir reached South Africa? #IPL

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) May 1, 2017

I mean how can they take a second run when #MSDhoni is a wicketkeeper.

#RPSvsGL #IPLBytes #GLvsRPS

— Bahubali Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) May 1, 2017

Raina getting out by MSD ?

Worst nightmare for every fans ?

— ÅЯαvîŋd (@Imarvnd) May 1, 2017

#Baz is beginning to get a move on now. That's what he does best #RPSvGL #BrendonMcCullum #IPL

— Karthik Chandramouli (@Ck03921) May 1, 2017