Twitter Reactions: KL Rahul carves a stupendous century at the Wankhede

KL Rahul has recently been straining to find his feet at the international circuit after a string of indifferent performances. He is yet not confirmed a berth in the national squad for the World Cup, scheduled to start in a few weeks time. The squad will be announced on April 15 and the 26-year-old batsman would be desperate to make the cut for the mega event in England and Wales.

In a bid to impress the selectors, he is currently plying his trade in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), the franchise which he joined last season and played exceptionally following which he broke into the Indian team. Even in this season, he hasn’t flattered to deceive by any stretch of the imagination and has piled on the important runs.

Rahul blazes away to a century

He started with a couple of failures but got into the groove as the tournament progressed. Thereafter he scored three half-centuries in four matches and seemed to have gotten his form back. However, the Karnataka batsman was in prime touch in the match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where he racked up his maiden century in the T20 tournament.

After Mumbai put KXIP to bat first after winning the toss, Rahul took the bowling by the scruff of its neck and put on an impressive stand of 116 runs for the opening wicket along with Chris Gayle. Even after the latter got out to Jason Behrendorff, Rahul didn’t stop and maintained the pressure on the hosts. He took his time to notch a half-century in 41 balls when Gayle was going hammer and tongs.

Punjab slowed down a wee bit, losing a few wickets in the middle and were looking to end with an under-par score. However, Rahul pressed the accelerator and got to his ton in 64 balls. He was severe on Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over and got into the 90s. He reached his century in the last over by Jasprit Bumrah. After the knock, Twitterati was all-praises for the opening batsman.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Rahul’s masterclass

.@klrahul11's consistency is to be celebrated so satisfying to see him back in form, he has definitely re-gained the confidence. Congratulations on the 💯 young man#MIvKXIP

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 10, 2019

@klrahul11 perfect innings, complementing the @henrygayle onslaught by batting through the innings. Both playing roles to perfection. No Sharma, tough chase, game on. #ipl2019 #MIvKXIP

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) April 10, 2019

What a player u beauty @klrahul11 👏👏👏👏👏 outstanding knock brotherman ⭐️😊 @lionsdenkxip @IPL congratulations on ur wonderful hundred 💯😊👏👏

— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) April 10, 2019

Excellent finish from KL Rahul. Looked for a while like he was leaving it till too late. His form augurs well.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2019

KL Rahul tore apart & pulverized Hardik Pandya. Sweet revenge for being a collateral damage on the Koffee with Karan. Load off his chest now… #MIvKXIP

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 10, 2019

KL Rahul's innings:

End of 17th over: 64 off 52 balls
End of 20th over: 100 off 64 balls

Last 12 balls, 36 runs!

Stunning finish. #IPL2019

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) April 10, 2019

Though Rohit Sharma & a few others hv said that World Cup squad must not be selected on the basis of IPL performances but it would be foolish to totally overlook sparkling form of KL Rahul. Can be a back-up opener & bat at no.4 as well. Better option than Rayudu any day #MIvKXIP

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 10, 2019

The only worry for #KLRahul right now: Will the #IPL2019 performance be counted or not for @cricketworldcup 🙂 #MIvKXIP

— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) April 10, 2019

KL Rahul slowly sliding towards that no. 4 spot?

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) April 10, 2019

So much happiness for KL Rahul going around. One of those guys, who's both backed and trolled bigtime.

When he fires, it's always a special treat.#MIvKXIP

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) April 10, 2019

KL Rahul is a pretty special talent. I’d always have him in the Indian XV #MIvKXIP

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) April 10, 2019

KL Rahul reading Hardik's bowling like only besties do. Doesn't have to even say much.#IPL2019 #MIvKXIP

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) April 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/btsportcricket/status/1116015585668812807

KL Rahul is arguably India's best player of spin in the country at the moment.

— Elite Alagappan (@IndianMourinho) April 10, 2019

Not the first time KL Rahul destroyed Hardik Pandya. #KXIP pic.twitter.com/CSMnkjmCpU

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 10, 2019

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