Twitter Reactions: Kolkata end up with an under-par total after Lynntastic start

The pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn walked out to open the innings for the home team Kolkata Knight Riders. It was the visiting captain Ravichandran Ashwin who won the toss and considering how the pitch behaves at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata decided to bowl first. While Kolkata has been a fortress for KKR, Ashwin’s KXIP have challenged most teams this season.

Young Mujeeb Ur Rahman got rid of the dangerous Narine after he had added just a run to the total. But Lynn, who hadn’t yet arrived in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 made up for his partner. He was a little careful early on to not give away his wicket and then cleared his front leg and carted the ball into the stands.

He hit four boundaries and four sixes. Robin Uthappa who walked in at No.3 proved to be the perfect partner and the Knight Riders were set for a huge total. He scored 34 from 23 before being dismissed by Ashwin in the 9th over. Nitish Rana who has done so well for KKR this season had a brain fade and was searching for a single that didn’t exist.

Though Dinesh Karthik played a really good knock lower down the order and towards the end got some support from the U19 star Shubman Gill they ended with a score way below what they were set up for.

While there was little Kings XI bowlers could do early on, as soon as they saw an opportunity Ashwin’s men pulled things back really well. Barinder Sran though was a little expensive picked up a couple of wickets and Andrew Tye was extremely effective and bagged two scalps. While the two spinners Ashwin and Mujeeb finished their four overs with one each.

191 isn’t a daunting total but with the bowling attack Dinesh Karthik has at his disposal they will make life difficult for the Kings.

Here is how Twitterati reacted during the course of the innings:

KXIP should be reasonably happy. 191 in 7 which at one stage looked set for 200+. KKR's spinners overs are the game.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 21, 2018

Mavi,Gill,Rana,Chahal,Kuldeep,Samson……. Indian Cricket is in very good hands over the next 10 yrs … #JustSaying

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 21, 2018

Gaylestorm incoming? ?#LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/zXQO7raYIC

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 21, 2018

From 146-3 in 15 to 191-7

Only 45-4 in last 5 overs… Momentum shifted towards KXIP

— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) April 21, 2018

It’s not a No Ball. Free Hit for nothing. C’mon, can the third-umpire not step in? Make it possible please. #Tye #KKRvKXIP #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2018

Tye showing how it is 2 be done at the end , bringing all his experience into play restricting #KKR to 191 #KKRvKXIP #IPL2018

— Tejas Pujare (@tejas_pujare) April 21, 2018

KKR are 10-15 runs short. But will be one interesting chase for sure. #KKRvKXIP

— BitterSweetSymphony? (@PluviophilePoet) April 21, 2018

#KKR will be very pleased that they have got the runs again without a big contribution from Andre Russell. #KKRvKXIP #IPL2018

— RK (@RK_sports) April 21, 2018

Kings XI to Andre Russell !!#KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/0OrYFqmONx

— Boring… (@graphicalcomic) April 21, 2018

Historically, Gayle has been a flop in big chase situations. Will he prove me wrong today? #KKRvKXIP #IPL2018

— Rags (@RagsTweets) April 21, 2018

Last 2 Overs Mein Sirf 11 Score ?
Ab Bus Gayle Aur Rahul Bhai me se Koi ek Lag Jaaye ?#KKRvKXIP

— Rajveer Singh (@RajveerRVSFan) April 21, 2018

@NitishRana_27

What happen ??
U even didn't try hard to reach n Save yourself from run-out.

Any way.. good going..
Best for next innings..

— SUDARSHAN DAS (@SUDARSHWARUPA) April 21, 2018

That was a suicide from Nitish Rana? #KKRvKXIP

— Rotten Challengers (@MayankDPatel1) April 21, 2018

Chris Lynn after getting Nitish Rana runout. #KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/khaT8wCTGN

— Salil Kamra (@salil_1407) April 21, 2018

The only way to pick his wicket considering current form is Run him out, which exactly what #KXIP did. #nitishrana #KKRvsKXIP

— Pradeep Wall (@pradeepwall) April 21, 2018

@NitishRana_27 kyu tha itne jaldi jaana #KKRvsKXIP #veervszara

— Avinash Karotia (@curly_baal) April 21, 2018

Schoolboy mistake by @NitishRana_27 not to look at the non Striker will taking a run..#VIVOIPL #PerfectFan

— Sankha Chatterjee (@SankhaChat3112) April 21, 2018

Nitish Rana Ho Jata Hai Kabhie Kabhie Brain Fade ???#KKRHaiTaiyaar  #KKR #KKRvKXIP #KKRvsKXIP

— Dr Khushboo ??‍⚕️ (@khushikadri) April 21, 2018