Twitter Reactions: Jos Buttler's ton, Yuzvendra Chahal's hat-trick headline RR's triumph in high-scoring thriller

Rajasthan Royals have defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in what can be called the most thrilling clash in IPL 2022 so far. The contest proceeded like a rollercoaster and went right down the wire. However, RR bowlers held their nerves in the final overs as KKR failed to chase a massive 218. Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal were the chief architects of RR triumph, scoring a century and taking a five-fer respectively.

Earlier in the match, Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and opted to bowl at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. RR got off to a flying start with openers Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal adding 97 runs inside the first 10 overs. Buttler had the lion’s share in the partnership as he went absolutely berserk against the KKR bowlers.

Second century of the season for Jos Buttler

While Padikkal was dismissed for 24, the England international formed substantial partners in Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. Buttler went on to slam his second century of the season and ended up scoring 103 off 61 deliveries. KKR managed to pull things back in the last few overs as RR lost wickets in a cluster. Despite that, however, the inaugural-season champions managed to post 217/5 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest team score this season.

In reply, KKR got off to a terrible start as Sunil Narine’s promotion to the opening slot didn’t play any dividends. The southpaw was run-out on the very first ball and that too without facing a delivery. Then began the Shreyas Iyer-Aaron Finch show as the duo made absolute mockery of the RR bowlers. The two dashers played some delightful shots all over the park as the required run rate never went out of control.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s bags maiden five-wicket haul in IPL

While Finch was dismissed for a 28-ball 58, Shreyas didn’t put his guards down and kept KKR in the hunt till the very end. As runs were being scored quickly, KKR looked set to cross the line till. However, the tables were turned in the 17th over wherein leg-spinner took Yuzvendra Chahal took four wickets including a hat-trick. He also bagged his maiden five-fer in IPL.

At this point, RR’s triumph seemed a mere formality. However, Umesh Yadav’s surprise cameo meant the drama wasn’t over. Unfortunately for KKR, his nine-ball 21 wasn’t enough as the two-time champions were bundled out for 210, losing the contest by seven runs.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitter reacted to RR’s triumph:

Brave fight by @y_umesh but the over by @yuzi_chahal helped @rajasthanroyals see this through! The heroics of @ShreyasIyer15 and @AaronFinch5 were negated by that fantastic spell! Not many bowlers can achieve what you did. Congratulations on the win #IPL2022 #RRvKKR

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 18, 2022

#yuzichahal five wicket haul and his hattrick was an equally important factor in #Rajasthan winning this incredible game. Kudos to KKR for fighting till the end. #RRvKKR #RRvsKKR pic.twitter.com/C72HbJcEh4

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) April 18, 2022

Chahal. Simply Outstanding . Ball hi nahi Rajasthan ki kismat bhi spin kar di. #RRvKKR pic.twitter.com/ZrChdoMKaS

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 18, 2022

The best match of the TATA @IPL #TATAIPL so far? Heart ❤️ stopping drama! @rajasthanroyals hold their nerve v @KKRiders in a thriller! @yuzi_chahal worth his weight in gold! @josbuttler irrepressible again! #TATAIPL

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) April 18, 2022

Rajashthan playing like Royals this season👏

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 18, 2022

Well played @y_umesh. Having a good season with the ball and now with the bat. What a knock! Almost took @KKRiders home. #IPL

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) April 18, 2022

What a game 🤯🤯

— Kate Cross (@katecross16) April 18, 2022

Bowling the 17th over with game on the line, after being hit for runs in your first 3 overs and then to return with a 2-run-4-wicket over including a hat-trick! Lion hearted stuff @yuzi_chahal 🙌🏼 Congratulations @rajasthanroyals 👏🏽 #RRvKKR #IPL2022

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 18, 2022

What a game-changing spell by @yuzi_chahal! We've witnessed the first hat-trick of the season. Loved the pose after your hat-trick. 🤣 #IPL #RRvKKR pic.twitter.com/K2ByMZg2ai

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) April 18, 2022

Best game of an already ridiculously entertaining @IPL tonight. Great win for the @rajasthanroyals heartbreak for @KKRiders MoM has to be Yuzi for his bowling on such a good batting track but @josbuttler was immense. I’m out of breath!

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) April 18, 2022

What a game!
Had it all. Fitting as a 14th anniversary celebration of IPL.#RRvsKKR #TataIPL

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) April 18, 2022

Yuzi on fire 🔥 @yuzi_chahal

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 18, 2022

#yuzichahal saw it all today! A very expensive first over and then a crazy last over! hatrick and five-wicket haul too. #KKRvsRR

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 18, 2022

Unbelievable revs on that hat-trick ball by @yuzi_chahal what guts & precision . Some bowler 🔥

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) April 18, 2022

Chahalllll 🔥🔥🔥@yuzi_chahal ♥️

— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) April 18, 2022

@yuzi_chahal 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Wayne Parnell (@WayneParnell) April 18, 2022

@yuzi_chahal 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) April 18, 2022

This is a very special inning from captain Shreyas Iyer. #leading

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 18, 2022