Twitter Reactions: Colombo Kings beat Kandy Tuskers in a thrilling Super Over in LPL

The much-awaited Lankan Premier League kicked off with a bang. It was a match between the Colombo Kings and the Kandy Tuskers. Both sides had some big names in the form Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell, Kusal Perera, and Irfan Pathan to name a few. The Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first. The duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Kusal Perera walked out to open the batting for the Tuskers.

They got their team off to a flying start as they scored 79 runs in the first six overs. Gurbaz was dismissed in the sixth over after scoring a brilliant 53 in just 22 balls. The Afghani smashed six fours and four sixes in his knock. After the wicket fell, Perera took matters in his own hands. Kusal Mendis played a good supporting knock as he scored 30 runs in 24 balls.

The opening batsman was dismissed in the final over after scoring 87 runs. Although he missed out on a hundred, his knock helped his side get to 219-3 at the end of 20 overs. Asela Gunaratne scored a quick-fire 33 off 20 balls to provide the finishing impetus. For the Kings, Manpreet Gony, Dushmantha Chameera, and Qais Ahmed took a wicket each.

Isuru Udana’s brilliance helps the Kings win a super over thriller

Chasing 220 runs was never going to be an easy task. Colombo Kings got off to a good start scoring 64 runs in the powerplay. Dinesh Chandimal looked at his best as he scored a magnificent 80 in just 46 balls. He was dismissed the 13th over when the team’s score was 131 runs. The platform was set and it was now time for the finishers to do their job.

Andre Russell and Co chipped in with 20s but failed to finish the game for their side. Thanks to some good batting by Isuru Udana and Qais Ahmad, the equation came down to 20 off the last over. Udana scored 15 runs off the first three balls but could manage only four runs in the next three. As a result, the game went to a Super Over.

Nuwan Pradeep who had been the pick of the bowlers for the Tuskers was given the responsibility. Though he dismissed Udana with his second delivery, he failed to stop Russell and Mathews as they raced to 16 runs off the over. Isuru Udana’s good bowling along with some unnecessary attempts from Gurbaz meant that the Tuskers were able to score only 12 runs in reply. Chandimal was awarded as man of the match for his brilliant knock.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Can’t get a more entertaining start than that! Good to be on the winning side @ColomboKings #LPL2020 💥

— Laurie🏏Evans🏌️‍♂️ (@LaurieEvans32) November 26, 2020

What a treat we had yesterday @LPLT20 #kingsvTuskers Great stuff from both @ColomboKings and @KandyTuskers Really enjoyed @chandi_17 @KusalJPerera .. @RGurbaz_21 can hit it too .. perfect start to the Tournament

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 27, 2020

Incredible T20 to start the Lanka Premier League. Great comeback win by Colombo Kings. Congratulations to both teams. T20 cricket at its very best! 2019 ODI World Cup ended with a superover, LPL starts with a superover. 🔥 #LPL2020 #Cricket 🇱🇰

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) November 26, 2020

It took two matches for IPL to have a super over. LPL has given us super over in first match itself. Shows you which is more exciting. #LPL2020

— nikhil (@nikcriclover) November 27, 2020

Just like 2020 , #LPL stays true with chaos , have taken the very first match to super over.
I went to sleep when Andre R got out. pic.twitter.com/eXcNuUbyPn

— ඉසුර (@isura) November 27, 2020

#LPL Start With Super Over Udana Played Brilliant Knocked He Scored (34* On 12 Balls) & Defended 16 Runs In Super Overs pic.twitter.com/ZLMWprGe1o

— Inayat (@CricCrazyInayat) November 27, 2020

What A Match In #LPL2020 #LPLT20 #LPL pic.twitter.com/s2eX1MLOR4

— Barish Ali (@GEO_1_7) November 27, 2020

What A Super Over#LPL2020 #LPLT20 #LPL pic.twitter.com/j33z84DQ1C

— Barish Ali (@GEO_1_7) November 27, 2020

Last time when we saw Chandi he lost his shape when he tried to play a big shot But yesterday it was all neat. This is so good to see #LPL

— Saminda Kularathne (@KSSKsam) November 27, 2020

What a start to the tournament…super over!! 👍

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) November 27, 2020

I never thought LPL will be even this interesting 🙈❤️#LPL2020

— Dinah🌼❄️ (@Dilza___) November 26, 2020

LPL starts with a bang 🔥
A super over thriller to start
Well Played @Colombokings1 #LPL2020 #LPLT20

— Ali Raza ☪ (@alisanalysis) November 26, 2020

It's so Heartening to see the response of our very knowledgeable fans to the LPL. Their enthusiasm drives all of us to ensure to give our best to the league. Thank you to all the great fans not just in Sri Lanka but from around the world!

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) November 26, 2020

Udana wins it for Colombo Kings in the super over, earlier he scored 34* from just 12 balls including 4 sixes. Great start to the LPL.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 26, 2020

🇱🇰 Super Over in the first EVER game at the @LPLT20!

An extraordinary 12-ball 34* from Sri Lanka's Isuru Udana gets the LPL off to a thrilling start 🔥

What a sport 😅 #LPLT20pic.twitter.com/WguUXPwTte

— ICC (@ICC) November 26, 2020

That was a lot of fun. #LPL

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) November 26, 2020