Twitter Reactions: Calm-headed KL Rahul takes Kings XI home from a precarious position

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) won their second match in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL) after their defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens. The team, captained by Ravi Ashwin, won against the Mumbai Indians (MI) by eight wickets at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. In the meantime, Mumbai Indians lost their first away match of this edition’s T20 tournament.

De Kock shines for the Kings

The hosts won the toss and had no hesitation to field first. However, MI put up a substantial score of 176 for seven on the board. Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock put on a stand of 51 runs for the opening wicket in only 5.2 overs. Hardus Viljoen dismissed the former, who scored 32 runs from 18 balls with five boundaries. Suryakumar Yadav fell prey to Murugan Ashwin after hitting a couple of fours.

Yuvraj Singh found the boundary a couple of times, but he came Ashwin’s second victim. At the other end, De Kock played his strokes freely and notched a half-century in 35 balls. The southpaw ended his knock on 60 runs from 39 balls with six fours and a couple of sixes. After his dismissal, Hardik Pandya played a whirlwind inning of 31 runs with three fours and an over-boundary to propel the visitors’ score.

Punjab cruise home to victory

Punjab got off to a brisk start courtesy of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. The duo cobbled together an opening stand of 53 runs off 44 balls. Gayle didn’t die wondering and went hammer and tongs to score 40 runs from 24 balls with three fours and four sixes. Krunal Pandya gave the visitors the much-needed breakthrough with Gayle’s wicket. Thereafter, Mayank Agarwal played some superlative strokes.

The right-hander notched 43 runs from 21 balls with four fours and a couple of six. Following his dismissal, KL Rahul took over the kept the scoreboard moving. He got to his half-century in 45 balls. After the fall of the second wicket, Miller joined Rahul in the middle and the duo got their team home without much fuss. Rahul remained not out on 71 even as Miller ended on 14 from nine balls.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Respect @krunalpandya24 … that’s exactly how you deal with a Mankad … Give the Batsman a warning then it’s open season after that … #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2019

Kl Rahul 1st 24 balls scored 17 runs

Next 33 balls scored 54 runs

Well played Rahul 🙌 #MIvKXIP

— Anukul Das (@anukuldas1800) March 30, 2019

Really happy for KL Rahul . Top T20 player . From 31(37) to 71 (57) the transformation was smooth . #KXIPvMI

— Anish Ancil (@anishancil) March 30, 2019

What run chase by @kxip. Great innings from @klrahul11 @mayankcricket and @chrisgayle.#MIvsKXIP #ipl #klrahul #mayank_aggrawal #fun

— Varinder Sandhu (@khlnaik_hu_main) March 30, 2019

KL Rahul showed how a little patience can do wonders! What a come-back man! Much needed at this moment! 🙌@lionsdenkxip #IPL2019 #KXIPvMI

— Honey Gusain (@honey_gusain) March 30, 2019

KL Rahul, like Rahane yesterday, started off shockingly slowly but ends up making a solid contribution (and even winning the game).#IPL2019 #KXIPvMI

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) March 30, 2019

Clinical in a run-chase. Rahul’s innings was a fine example of how cricket is a team sport. First Gayle and then, Mayank allowed him to find form. #MI needs to figure out their batting order… #KXIPvMI

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 30, 2019

Top job by @klrahul11, staying till the end and finishing it nicely, another fantastic player @mayankcricket made going easy for Punjab. Gayle's start was vital too. #IPL#KXIPvMI

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 30, 2019

So here’s a mankad suggestion. 🏏
Why not get the 3rd umpire to check the front foot for no balls, if he/she notices a batter leaving their ground prior to delivery he/she can then issue either a warning, or 5 penalty runs. If the batter continues, mankad comes in no worries.

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 30, 2019

Hardik the special player, his final punches shall help MI throughout the season, however Shami had the last laugh! Quinton too very destructive, well played. #IPL #KXIPvMI

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 30, 2019

The #UniverseBoss is in the mood …. !!!! #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2019

The respect given to Bumrah is unprecedented…batsmen have stopped trying going after him. Two overs in the power-play for 6 runs. Last game, last two overs for 6 runs. #KXIPvMI #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 30, 2019

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