Twitter Reactions: Disciplined KKR bowling restricts RCB to 175

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were coming into this game on the back of crushing defeats at the hands of their oppositions. The hosts needed a victory badly to resurrect their already lacklustre season so far. But they were dealt with a severe blow as Ab de Villiers was ruled out of the game at the eleventh hour. As Virat Kohli informed at the toss, he was sick and were forced to rethink their strategy for the game. But KKR didn’t make any changes to their line-up as they opted to field first after winning the toss.

The opening pair of Brendon McCullum and Quinton de Kock had to face the spin bowling with the new ball as they got their eyes in cautiously. The former was the first one to break the shackles as he ran down the track to smack Mitchell Johnson and started the run-scoring at a fast pace. Even his partner joined the party as they got along nicely to give their side a decent start for the first time this season. Both added 67 for the first wicket as De Kock was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav

The wicket, however, put the run-scoring to a screeching halt as couple more wickets fell in the same over off Andre Russell. McCullum and Manan Vohra were dismissed on either side of the wide delivery as RCB suddenly needed a partnership now. The run-rate undoubtedly went down as the duo of Virat Kohli and Mandeep Singh concentrated on just rotating the strike. They shifted gears though after the strategic time-out which was taken after the end of 14 overs.

Kohli’s brilliance helps RCB again

Virat Kohli was at his belligerent best again in the absence of De Villiers as he alone did all the scoring in the death overs. He whacked fours and sixes at will as the score raced past 150 after 18 overs as RCB aimed for more. He got support from Mandeep Singh who also smashed a couple of big hits to Sunil Narine. He reached his half-century off just 37 balls and his knock was a much-needed one for his team. He tried his best in the end overs to smash the bowl but KKR were too good at the death.

In the end, they managed to post the score of 175 runs for the loss of 4 wickets which looks like a middling total and it remains to be seen if their bowlers will be able to defend it.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Virat Kohli just said at the completion of over “Battaa mar raha hai bc” to the umpire referring to Narine #RCBvKKR

— Nabeel Hashmi (@HashmeNabeel) April 29, 2018

Lone warrior for RCB. #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/uz0RPAF6xU

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 29, 2018

Kohli & Kohlin Playing..#RCBvKKR

— ßαßu ßhαïψα (@Shahrcasm) April 29, 2018

The cover drive off Russell and the off drive off Johnson by Kohli are two of the best strokes I've seen this IPL: poise, balance, timing, placement all perfect. Master at work. @RCBTweets need him to bat thru! #ReinventYourGame #RCBvKKR

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 29, 2018

Very competitive , I think RCB .. excellent responsible inns fro Kohli ..175 -4

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) April 29, 2018

@imVkohli seems to be Batting like he is from a different planet, with no disrespect to the young #RCB batsmen ,the obvious difference in skill levels between #ViratKohli and the rest is astounding…#RCBvsKKR #IPL #BadriBytes

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 29, 2018

Bowlers to take three wickets on birthday in IPL:

James Faulkner
Andre Russell*#RCBvKKR

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 29, 2018

From kids to their parents, everyone is a Virat Kohli fan and everyone enjoys equally when he bats. #RCBvKKR #VIVOIPL

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) April 29, 2018

#Rcb – 175

1+7+5 = 13
1+3 = 4

So #Kkr will win by 4 wkts
Or#Rcb total of winning runs will be 4#RCBvKKR

— ßαßu ßhαïψα (@Shahrcasm) April 29, 2018

RCB 176-6 (20) in First Match vs KKR
RCB 175-4 (20) in Second game vs KKR

— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) April 29, 2018

Mitch Johnson the most expensive KKR bowler. Obviously Kohli reserves the most severe punishment for the Aussies. #IPL

— cricBC (@cricBC) April 29, 2018

Good score, the Sunrisers would fancy defending this, sadly its the Arcey Bees who will have to try… #ipl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) April 29, 2018

lol Kohli hammering Johnson is one of the greatest sights. He must regret those dumb tweets now, Kohli now replying with the bat. Johnson made to look like Faulkner

— Naveen Samy (@ImNsamy) April 29, 2018